The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) consists of four steps in which one receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, and thus enters into full communion with the Catholic Church. There are two variations of RCIA: for those newly entering the Church, and for those who are already-baptized and seeking confirmation. Both processes are similar, although their preparation steps slightly differ. Some Catholic universities, such as Boston College, offer RCIA for students and others.
The first stage is the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. During this time, the person who expresses their intention to enter the Catholic Church is called an inquirer. They meet with the RCIA team and join other inquirers in connecting their lives with the Scriptures, the Gospels especially, and asking discerning questions. This stage may take months, or even years.
Then, there is the Period of Catechumenate in which the inquirer grows in faith through prayer and catechesis. In the United States, this stage usually lasts for at least one year. Here, their desire to study the Catholic Church’s teachings and practices formalizes, and they further contemplate the meaning of Baptism. They publicly declare their faith in front of the parish community during the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. At this rite, sponsors, or those who provide support for the rest of the RCIA process, are present. After the rite, the inquirers are now called catechumens.
In the third stage, the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, catechumens are given the help of a priest or RCIA team to discern whether they are ready to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Then, a formal request for Baptism is made to the diocesan bishop at the Rite of Election, which usually occurs on the first Sunday of Lent with families and sponsors present. The names of these catechumens are recorded in a book, and they are now called the elect. This marks the beginning of their preparation for the Sacraments by intense prayer throughout Lent. During the Easter Vigil, catechumens receive Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
The Period of Mystagogy & Neophyte Year, or the fourth stage, occurs between Easter and Pentecost. The newly initiated are called neophytes, as they are “newly planted” in their first year of living as a Catholic. They reflect on their announced commitment to the Church and their role in the parish community, allowing themselves to further ponder the meaning of Easter, the Sacraments, and Scripture.
In short, there are five main stages of RCIA in which the following processes are emphasized: considering the Catholic faith through inquiry and direction, learning about the faith through Scripture, increasingly living out one’s faith and preparing for the Sacraments through intense prayer, receiving the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil, and reflecting upon the meaning of the Sacraments by living as a newly initiated Catholic. For those who experience or consider RCIA, this is only the beginning of a rebirth into the Church, as signified by Easter. The journey of faith, in hope of reaching sanctity, lasts a lifetime.
Featured image courtesy of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton via Flickr
Lourdes Macaspac, graduate of the class of 2021, wrote for The Torch as a C101 writer during her first three years and as a Faith Feature Columnist during her senior year. At BC, she majored in a bunch of things, enjoyed giving her time to service, and cared greatly for her friends. Through the fleeting sweet and sometimes chaotic moments, she rediscovered the meaning of her life: sanctity.
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