Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

 Welcome to the Catholic Church

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (Proverbs 8:17). There are 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide, filling more than 221,700 parishes. Each year, many adults are called to join the Catholic faith. How does someone join the Catholic Church? Through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

RCIA is the process in which adults become full, participating members of the Catholic Church. Participants, known as catechumens go through a process of studying the the Scriptures, nurturing their relationship with God, becoming familiar with the Catholic teachings and practices, professing their faith in Jesus and the Church, and receiving the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation.

Who can join?

The Church extends an invitation to all who wish to become members of the Catholic faith.

Those who go through the RCIA process fall under one of the following categories:

• Someone who is of another faith and wishes to convert to Catholicism
• Someone who was baptized in another Christian denomination and wishes to become a member of the Catholic faith
• Someone who was baptized in the Catholic Church, but never received the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation

When does the RCIA begin?

The RCIA usually begins during the first part of September and continues until the Easter Vigil when the catechumens are baptized or received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

For more information contact the parish office.