RCIA

RCIA – The process by which Adults become Catholic.

* Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church?

* Do you recognize a need for spirituality in your life?

* Are you a baptised Catholic or baptised into another religion but never received any formal religious education?

* Are you married to a Catholic and attend Mass but just don't know what the next step is to become one of the Catholic faithful?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA ) is the place for you. The RCIA is the process through which adults from other faith traditions can join the Catholic Church. Every year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Saviour.

The process of becoming a Catholic is a gradual one. To become Catholic, you don’t have to be any certain age. People can become a Catholic at any age and time during their life. Before becoming a Catholic, you need to find out what is to be a Catholic.

The RCIA classes are usually held every week. Here at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit RCIA classes are held every Sunday after the 10.00 am mass. At these classes, you will learn the fundamentals of Catholicism. As you learn, you will see there is much to learn about being a Catholic. There are five stages in the RCIA process.

1 st Stage: Period of Inquiry

Conversion is a gradual process or a faith journey. The first step in this journey is the inquiry stage. This period may last a few weeks.

During the sessions, we hear presentations on topics like the Bible, the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, prayer, Church history, the liturgical year, social justice and service issues, and the Mass. The speakers welcome questions, and the facilitators are always available to answer questions as well. We want to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision -- and one that you’re comfortable making -- about whether or not you truly wish to join the Catholic Church. If, after you’ve asked some questions and done some reflecting, you realize that this is not the right faith for you, we will certainly wish you well as you continue your journey along another path .

During the inquiry stage of the process, the participant is known as "an inquirer".

Once inquirer is ready to take the first step in the process of conversion, The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is celebratedand he/she will move to the next stage

2nd Stage: The Period of the Catechumenate

The faith journey becomes more in-depth after the initial commitment has been made. This period is the longest. A deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and ones' relationship with Christ begins to emerge.

The aim of this period is to deepen one’s faith and knowledge. Catechumens with the help of catechists/facilitators study, share and reflect on the essentials of the Catholic faith and tradition The participants are now called "Catechumens."

Once catechumen is ready to take the next step in the process of conversion, The Rite of Election is celebrated with the Bishop presiding.

3rd Stage:The Period of Purification and Enlightenment

After the Rite of Election, the Catechumens are called "the Elect". During this period, the following rites are celebrated:

the Scrutinies, presentation of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, and preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

The faith journey now intensifies as the initial commitment becomes a deeper commitment to conversion to the Catholic faith. The period of Purification and Enlightenment coincides with the Lenten season

As the Period of Purification and Enlightenment comes to a close, the Elect are ready to take the final step in the process of becoming a Catholic, the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass.   

Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation

The greatest celebration of the Church year is Easter, and the Easter Vigil Mass is the greatest of the Easter celebrations. It is at this celebration where the Elect are initiated into the Church.

As part of the Easter Vigil Mass, the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated with the assembly. The Sacraments of Initiation are:

Baptism – by the waters of baptism, a person passes into new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ. Confirmation – anointing with a special holy oil called chrism is the act which seals the baptism through the power of the Holy Spirit. Holy Eucharist – receiving Eucharist completes the full membership into the Church

Through the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist signifies the conclusion of the third step of the process of Initiation; it is just the beginning. As with any relationship, it must continue to grow. The newly initiated continue their growth through post baptismal catechesis in the next period called Mystagogy - deepening their relationship with Christ and His Church.

4th stage Mystagogy

So you have been "Initiated", and you are now called Catholic. What else is left? Actually you have just begun your life-long journey of faith as a Catholic.

To assist the newly initiated, the RCIA process continues in a period called Mystagogy or Post-baptismal Catechesis. The aim is for the newly initiated to more deeply celebrate their new faith, examine the mysteries of the church, and enter into the mission of the Church. The newly initiated deepen their sacramental life with emphasis on the gospel, Eucharist, and mission.

The First Step

Anyone who is seriously thinking about becoming a Catholic or would simply like more information can contact the Parish Priests or the Cathedral office nearest Catholic parish. Ordinarily, meeting with the Parish Priest would be first step in the journey toward becoming a Catholic.