RCIA- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Historical Roots
Often called “the catechumenate,” the RCIA (formation of adults) or RCIC (formation of children) is a process of faith development and catechetical instruction which culminates in full membership in the Christian Roman Catholic Community - the reception of the “Sacraments of Initiation”: Baptism,
Confirmation, and Eucharist. This journey of faith is similar to the one people made when joining the early Church communities. Today’s revised process, promulgated in 1972, calls on the entire parish community for involvement and prayerful support.
Inquiry and Its Rite:
During the first stage in the faith journey, inquirers begin to form relationships with one another and with their Catechists. Sessions are informal, with life stories shared and curiosities about “things Catholic” answered. When a decision to continue in the process is made, inquirers obtain sponsors or
godparents to mentor them along the way. Then, the Rite of Acceptance Into the Order of Catechumens is celebrated within the community’s Sunday Mass.
Catechumenate and Its Rites:
With the Rite of Acceptance, those who have not been baptized officially become catechumens, while those who are baptized become Candidates. Now they learn specifics about the Catholic faith, specially the sacraments. Sessions become more instructional, with an emphasis on breaking open the
Word of God in the Sunday readings. Several optional rites may be celebrated during this period which precedes the Season of Lent.
Often called “the catechumenate,” the RCIA (formation of adults) or RCIC (formation of children) is a process of faith development and catechetical instruction which culminates in full membership in the Christian Roman Catholic Community - the reception of the “Sacraments of Initiation”: Baptism,
Confirmation, and Eucharist. This journey of faith is similar to the one people made when joining the early Church communities. Today’s revised process, promulgated in 1972, calls on the entire parish community for involvement and prayerful support.
Inquiry and Its Rite:
During the first stage in the faith journey, inquirers begin to form relationships with one another and with their Catechists. Sessions are informal, with life stories shared and curiosities about “things Catholic” answered. When a decision to continue in the process is made, inquirers obtain sponsors or
godparents to mentor them along the way. Then, the Rite of Acceptance Into the Order of Catechumens is celebrated within the community’s Sunday Mass.
Catechumenate and Its Rites:
With the Rite of Acceptance, those who have not been baptized officially become catechumens, while those who are baptized become Candidates. Now they learn specifics about the Catholic faith, specially the sacraments. Sessions become more instructional, with an emphasis on breaking open the
Word of God in the Sunday readings. Several optional rites may be celebrated during this period which precedes the Season of Lent.
At the Rite of Welcome and Acceptance last weekend (September 10, 2017), our community witnessed our catechumens and candidates begin their journey towards initiation into the Catholic Church.
Catechumens: Jamie Lynn Hodges, Gina Marie Rewis and
Derek Waisum Yee.
Candidate: Cheyene Rewis.
A thank you to our community members who are their sponsors and have agreed to walk this journey with them:
Claudia Rodriguez, Donovan Grierson, Irene Bielicki and Justin Shobe.
Please pray for our catechumens, candidates and sponsors
Catechumens: Jamie Lynn Hodges, Gina Marie Rewis and
Derek Waisum Yee.
Candidate: Cheyene Rewis.
A thank you to our community members who are their sponsors and have agreed to walk this journey with them:
Claudia Rodriguez, Donovan Grierson, Irene Bielicki and Justin Shobe.
Please pray for our catechumens, candidates and sponsors
PRAYER FOR THE RCIA
O God, we thank you for implanting the gift of faith in human hearts.
We thank you for sending Jesus your son, as the fullness of your love.
May his life and mission lead us to share in your divine life.
We ask you to bless in a special way all inquirer, catechumens, and candidates, who have generously responded to the invitation of Jesus: "Come follow me.”
Help them to persevere in their journey of faith despite any difficulties.
Bless all those who minister through the RCIA process so that, under the guidance of your holy spirit,
they may lead to others to a life of faith in Jesus Christ.
Grant that all parishioners will take an active role in bringing new members into the Church.
Call us all to a renewal of our faith, and inspire us all to be your light in the world.
Amen.
O God, we thank you for implanting the gift of faith in human hearts.
We thank you for sending Jesus your son, as the fullness of your love.
May his life and mission lead us to share in your divine life.
We ask you to bless in a special way all inquirer, catechumens, and candidates, who have generously responded to the invitation of Jesus: "Come follow me.”
Help them to persevere in their journey of faith despite any difficulties.
Bless all those who minister through the RCIA process so that, under the guidance of your holy spirit,
they may lead to others to a life of faith in Jesus Christ.
Grant that all parishioners will take an active role in bringing new members into the Church.
Call us all to a renewal of our faith, and inspire us all to be your light in the world.
Amen.
