The R.C.I.A Process

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St. Bernadette Catholic Church
1343 Wheeling Road
Lancaster, Ohio 43130

Tel: 740-654-1893

Fax: 740-687-5926

The R.C.I.A. Process

by Teresa Scarpitti

Phone: 468-1042

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A), is the process through which adults who

are not baptized,
those baptized in other Christian faiths,
and those baptized Catholic who have not been catechized in the Catholic faith

can become full members of the Catholic Church. Inspired by the early church's practice of initiating adults, the Rite of Christian Initiation calls the entire community to assume the responsibility for initiating new members.

The History of R.C.I.A:

In the early Church, people who were interested in Christianity were invited to join the community on a journey of faith. Those who wanted to pursue full membership were called catechumens and entered into a step-by-step process of formation, instruction and testing. It was a time of serious discernment regarding whether or not the catechumens could break with their pagan background, and accept and live the Christian faith; as well as a time for newcomers to explore with the Christian community their responsibilities in carrying out the Church's mission and ministry. In an age of persecution, joining the Church was not to be taken lightly. The entire Church would pray for and with the catechumens, instructing them in gospel values, sharing with them the faith-life of the Church and celebrating the stages of their conversion to Christianity - was looked upon as a community responsibility and demanded total community involvement. Once Christianity became fashionable rather than a persecuted religion, the standards for the catechumenate were relaxed and people began being baptized simply on request. Over time the community-supported process of initiation disappeared.

R.C.I.A. Today:

Today's R.C.I.A. process is a return to this beautiful, community-supported journey of faith to help adults discern if becoming a member of the Catholic Church is right for them. The process is divided into four period:

Inquiry
Catechumenate
Purification and Enlightenment
Mystagogy

During the Inquiry period, participants "inquire" about the Catholic Church. During this time, we take a broader look at the Catholic Church, what Catholics believe and why Catholics do the things they do (such as all that up and down at Mass). If "inquirers" decide that they like what they've heard so far and would like to continue finding out more about the Catholic faith, then they participate in the "Rite of Acceptance" and enter the Catechumanate period of R.C.I.A. During the Catechumenate period, we do more in-depth studying of the Catholic beliefs including the Seven Sacraments. Then the catechumens (unbaptized) and the candidates (baptized in other faith traditions), who decide they would like to continue in the process towards becoming a full member of the Catholic Church, go through the "Rite of Election." The Rite of Election is held each year on the first Sunday of Lent. At the Rite of Election catechumens and candidates throughout the diocese come together for a celebration by the Bishop. The Elect (previously called catechumens) and the candidates enter the third period of R.C.I.A. called the Period of Purification and Enlightenment.

The Period of Purification and Enlightenment focuses more on spiritual repentance and conversion in preparation for receiving the Easter Sacraments. Thos Elect and Candidates who wish to become full members of the Catholic Church (and do not have an impediment to entering the Church *) receive the Easter Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. For the Elect, they are Baptized, Confirmed and receive First Eucharist. Candidates are Confirmed and First Eucharist. The new members of the Church, now called "Neophytes" continue on in the final phase of the R.C.I.A. process called the Mystagogy. This final period concludes at Pentecost, six weeks after Easter.

When and Where:

The R.C.I.A. program begins each year in early September and concludes at Pentecost (usually in May). The R.C.I.A. sessions are held on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the parish office building (The Mary Good Center) located behind St. Bernadette School. Thos who are not baptized also attend "dismissals" during the 9 a.m. Mass to further discuss and reflect on the Scripture readings. (Dismissals do not start until November.) There is no charge to participate in the R.C.I.A. program.

Do I Need a Sponsor?

Each catechumen and candidate has a sponsor that helps support them throughout the R.C.I.A. process. Sponsors must be active members of the Catholic Church who have been confirmed. Catechumens and candidates may select someone to be their sponsor (such as a spouse, other family member or friend). If the catechumen or candidate does not have a sponsor, the R.C.I.A. team will be happy to provide a sponsor for them. While sponsors are encouraged to attend R.C.I.A. sessions, they are not required to attend the weekly sessions.

Who Can Attend R.C.I.A.?

Anyone is welcome to attend the R.C.I.A. sessions regardless of your faith background. While the process is for "adults," teenagers are also welcome to attend the sessions. Although the classes are not appropriate for young children, children of R.C.I.A. candidates may also be brought into the Church at Easter.

For more information on the R.C.I.A. process,
please call Teresa Scarpitti at (740) 468-1042.

* Adults who have been divorced and remarried, or whose spouse has been divorced, may need to go through the Annulment Process before becoming Catholic. For more information on this process, please contact Fr. Walter or Deacon Mark Scarpitti.