The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
This article will outline the underlying principles of RCIA and present
the specific structure and phases of the Rite. RCIA is first and foremost
a faith journey process. RCIA is for and about people whose faith journey
cannot be programmed, because programs do not create conversion, only God
brings about conversion. RCIA is a community event, it is never a private
process, but takes place in the Christian community. It is basically one
of witness and hospitality. The document is particularly strong when it
says, ".the Initiation of adults is the concern and business of all
baptized" (RCIA, #41). The RCIA process is ongoing and
multi-dimensional:
a personal journey, which includes more than an educational program alone.
It includes gospel values and perspectives that reach out to Doctrinal
instruction, as well as spiritual formation.
The period of RCIA at Queen of Saints is an on going year around process
of conversion. Each phase corresponds to the candidate's progress in
Christian formation.
1. Following the first contact with the Cluster Office and indicating a
desire to begin the RCIA process, an appointment is to be made with Fr.
Baldwin for an initial interview to take place. At any time there may be
more than one catechumen or candidate present during the sessions. One
catechumen/candidate may move ahead faster than another one, depending on
previous knowledge.
2. The catechumen/candidate then begins with Step One: the Inquiry period.
During this phase, the candidate (a person who has been baptized and only
needs confirmation and First Eucharist) or catechumen (a person who has
not been baptized, received confirmation, or First Eucharist). Each
catechumen/candidate must choose a sponsor/God Parent who is a Catholic in
good standing with the Church. There will be companions (people from the
parish who will journey with them through the RCIA process and a
catechist, who will lead/facilitate each session. Currently, Queen of
Saints meets every two weeks for sessions.
3. An inquiry session is a preliminary step in the journey of faith.
During this time they listen to the readings of the week and discuss what
the Word means to them. The community members listen to the inquirer and
answer their questions. When the catechumen/candidate is ready to proceed
to the next step a period of discernment will take place when they meet
with the Coordinator of RCIA, the Priest, the catechumen/candidate, and
sponsor. This session will be a time of revisiting their original intent
of joining and discerning if they wish to continue. When the
decision is
made to continue in the RCIA program, a ritual called the "Rite of
Entrance or Welcoming" will take place during the Sunday Mass, so that the
community can welcome the inquirer to the second step of their journey of
faith.
4. This next period is often the longest in the RCIA process. It may last
from a few months to a few years, determined by the needs of the
catechumen/candidate and by the community.
5. The weekend before Ash Wednesday, an all day mandatory retreat is held
for all RCIA team members, catechumen/candidate, sponsors and God Parents.
6. If it is determined that a person is ready the catechumen/candidate are
invited to be part of a ritual called the "Rite of Sending," which
takes
place on the weekend before Ash Wednesday at Mass. During this ritual the
catechumen/candidate officially request entrance to the Church.
7. The following weekend the Rite of Acceptance or Election is held in an
another step in the conversion process.
8. During the Lenten season the catechumen/candidate enter into the 40
days of Lent as a time to focus on deepening their awareness of God's
grace through prayer. During this time the Church also celebrates other
rituals with the catechumen/candidate, called "Scrutinies."
These are
prayers of healing prayed by the community, that the
catechumen/candidate
will have the strength to withstand evil, and remain pure and free from
sin as they journey toward initiation and growth in faith.
9. In the Lenten season, the RCIA team and catechumen/candidate will be
dismissed after the Liturgy of the Word with their catechists to ponder
the Scripture readings they have just heard.
10. Finally, the night of the Easter Vigil arrives at
which the Sacraments
of Initiation are celebrated and the catechumen/candidate are made one
with the Body of Christ, called the Church. The community says, "Now
you
belong. Come, you are welcome at the Table of the Lord."
11. The final step that concludes the journey of faith is called the
"Mystagogia, which comes from the word,
mystery. This step is a time for
the newly initiated and the RCIA community to move forward together toward
a closer relationship with each other and toward a deeper understanding of
God's Word, of the sacraments, and of everyday life. It is a time for
asking questions of what has been experienced during the Mass and how it
is experienced in everyday living.
12. All children who are preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation at the
Easter Vigil will experience the same as the adults only they will have a
catechist who is experienced with working with children. Their sessions
will take place the same time as the adults. They will meet in a
different room with their catechist, sponsor, and companions and will join
with the larger group during the last fifteen minutes.