Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

TARA MACK, JEN PENNINGTON, MEGAN SPARKS

THEOLOGY III
MS. HOEGEN
DECEMBER 3, 2014

Process
Period of Evangelization and

Precatechumenate
Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
Preparation for Rebirth
Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

Phase One: Inquiry

Find out what it means to be Catholic
Ask Questions
Ask current Catholics what their lives are like
Ask converts how this change impacted their lives
Building a solid foundation of faith
Have an initial decision on why you want to join the Church
You will go to class (all of which are optional)
Intended for those who are interested in learning about Catholicism
Topics include: Prayer, Eucharist, Gospel, etc.
You will learn more about the Catholic faith from Church

members

The classes cover basic information about the faith

Teach the Gospel of Christ and its underlying meaning

Phase Two: Catechesis

Find a Sponsor who will mentor you in the faith

During this stage, the candidates become Catechumen

A Catechumen, from the Latin word for instructed, is one receiving

instruction in the principles of the Christian religion
Learn about the faith
How to live as a Christian
Develop your interior life
Turn more readily to God in prayer
To bear witness to the Faith
In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
To follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds
To practice the love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation

Phase Three: Enlightenment

Chose Saint name to represent yourself during the

mass
Stage of Purification

Receive penance and reconciliation

Retreat
Prepare for renewal
Meditation
Find main reason for conversion

Phase Four: The Mass

Mystagogy

Easter Vigil
The Rite of the New Catholics goes as follows:
Liturgy of the Word
Celebration of Baptism
Celebration of Confirmation
Liturgy of the Eucharist

Survey Question 1
How long does it usually take to complete the RCIA
process?
- About Two Years
- About Six Months
- About One Year
- About Three Years

Survey Question 2
How old do you have to be to be in the program?
- Seven
- Eighteen
- Twenty-One
- Any Age

Survey Question 3
Do you need a sponsor?
- Only if you would like one
- Yes, anyone you like
- No, it's a personal journey
- Yes, they must be in good Catholic standing

Survey Question 4
Do you have to pay to be part of this program?
- Yes, but there are scholarships available
- No, it is always free
- Sometimes, depending on the parish
- Yes, but the cost is low

Survey Question 5
If you were already baptized through a different faith,
do you need to be baptized again?
- Yes, in all cases
- It is up to you
- Not in all cases
- No, as long as you were baptized through a
Christian Church

Survey Question 6
At what mass are most RCIA candidates initiated into
the Church?
- Easter Vigil
- Christmas Eve
- Pentecost
- Ash Wednesday
- None of these

Video