Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

home > RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The process whereby Christian or non-Christian adults become full members of the Catholic Church.

OVERVIEW

In the not-too-distant past, adults who wanted to become Roman Catholics attended a few weeks of "convert instruction" and were quietly baptized in a private ceremony by the parish priest. It was a totally private process that involved only a priest and the inquirer. One of the great gifts of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s was a renewed process of forming and initiating adults called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). In the words of author Thomas H. Morris, men and women involved in the RCIA today are "formed at the hands of the local community around the word of God, discerning and welcoming God’s invitation to embrace life in the Catholic Christian community, and thus serving the mission of Jesus in the world today."

The RCIA restores for the modern world the process the ancient Church used in initiating members. In the first 500 years of the Church, early Christians realized that initiation is a process that proceeds through certain stages and that necessarily involves the entire faith community. At Saint Luke Catholic Church, inquirers meet weekly with a team of lay people and clergy who teach the faith, share their own experience of Christ in their lives, and accompany inquirers on their journey of faith. They also experience Scripture reflection on Sundays that opens them more fully to the powerful word of God. RCIA is open to anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who genuinely seeks to explore the possibility of joining the Catholic Christian faith community.

Naturally, RCIA includes a substantial amount of instruction in the teachings of the Church. But first and foremost, RCIA is a process of conversion; it is about changing the heart and transforming the spirit. Along the way, inquirers participate in a number of ceremonies in which the Catholic community gradually affirms them for full membership. Initiation culminates at the Easter Vigil through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

The RCIA process at Saint Luke is led by a very talented team of people, beginning with our parish priests, Fr. Martin McGuill and Fr. Ronald Escalante. Paul Skevington, Director of Music and Liturgy, is the overall coordinator and contact person. Megan Salas assists with the inquiry sessions. In addition to the above people, the catechuminate sessions receive valuable instruction from James McCulla and Helen Penberthy. The Mystagogia sessions are led by Carol Mourninghan. All work together in this journey of faith that we are all on.

The first stage is the Inquiry period. We encourage people to join inquiry sessions about this process and about their faith before making a definitive decision about becoming Catholic. These sessions are held year around, and will include detailed information about the Catholic Church as well as informal discussions.

The Catechumenate period, usually held on Tuesday evenings, focuses primarily on the teachings of the Church and is presented in a more structured format. Sunday Scripture reflection in small groups encourages participants to "break open" the word of God and consider its meaning in their lives.

The six weeks of Lent make up the period called Purification and Enlightenment. This is a time of more intense spiritual preparation leading up to the Easter Vigil, where the Sacraments of Initiation will be celebrated.

The final period is Mystagogia, where all reflect on the Easter mysteries just celebrated and discover ways to become fully integrated into the life of the Church.

CATECHUMINATES, CANDIDATES, SPONOSRS

Catechumens are unbaptized persons who desire to be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Candidates are those who have been baptized in the Christian faith and are seeking full communion in the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Proof of valid baptism in a recognized Christian denomination (by way of a certificate of baptism or letter of verification from one’s pastor or church of baptism) is required of all candidates.

Sponsors: It is assumed that each catechumen and candidate has what we might call a “primary” sponsor. This is someone who has been instrumental in their life by way of example, words of encouragement, or lengthy discussions. It might be a close friend, a co-worker, a spouse or other family member, and it could be a number of different people. In addition, Saint Luke assigns a “parish” sponsor. This would be a parishioner who is a practicing Catholic and in good standing with the Church. This sponsor attends all the meetings and discussions, and participates in the various Masses and rituals with the catechumens and candidates.

During the course of the year, the sponsor studies and prays with the catechumen or candidate and helps him or her with basic questions about the faith. The sponsors are also on their own journey of faith, as they learn and explore more about the Catholic Church alongside the rest of the RCIA team. They are selected early in the process and attend the Tuesday evening meetings, ceremonies and scripture discussion.

Catechumens will also need to choose a godparent or godparents for baptism. Often this is the sponsor that has journeyed with them throughout the year, though it may also be someone else outside the parish. Godparents must be fully initiated adult Catholics who will be good role models in the future life of the catechumen.

SCHEDULE AND MEETINGS

Inquiry meetings are usually held on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Library, or other parish meeting space. However, other time may be arranged, depending on the schedule of the inquirers. Please contact Paul Skevington if you are interested in attending an inquiry session or to simply discuss possible participate in the process: 703.356.0670 or skevington@saintlukemclean.org.

Catechuminate sessions are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 in the Music room, which is above the kitchen of Flaherty Hall (in the church complex). Scripture reflection meetings take place in Flaherty Hall during Sunday morning Mass. Please contact Paul Skevington for more information: 703.356.0670 or skevington@saintlukemclean.org.

Current Schedule

FAQs

Where can I find more information about the Catholic Church on the Web?

See the Resource page under Liturgy.

INQUIRIES/CONTACT

If you, or someone you love, are interested in learning more about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the process for entering the Catholic Church, please plan to attend our next inquiry session. We would love to have you join us in this parish journey.

Please contact Paul Skevington 703-356-0670 or skevington@saintlukemclean.org,Fr. McGuill 703-356-1255 or Fr. Escalante 703-356-1255 rescalante@saintlukemclean.org for more information.