RCIA: Catholic Education

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a program of religious education in the Catholic Church, designed to prepare adults to enter into full Communion with the Church.  The process usually begins in the fall, and goes until Easter Vigil, when those in the program are confirmed (and baptized, if needed), and welcomed into the Church.

RCIA begins with the Period of Inquiry (the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate).  This period is for those interested in the Catholic faith to learn about the Church and its teachings, and pray about the decision to join the Church.

At the end of this time of education, introspection, and meditation, those still interested in joining the Church continue to the next stage, which is the Period of the Catechumenate, marked by the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens for the unbaptized and the Rite of Welcoming the Candidates for the baptized.  Often these two rites can be combined when an RCIA class has Inquirers who are both baptized and unbaptized.

The Period of the Catechumenate is a lengthy period of learning and mediation.  This is the bulk of RCIA, during which the Candidates and Catechumens learn about the teachings of the Church and Christian living.  At the end of this period, the Candidates and Catechumens attend the Rite of Election (for the unbaptized) or the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion (for the baptized).  These rites can be combined, as well.  At this ceremony, all those who are in RCIA, as well as their sponsors, join together to recognize their readiness to join the Church.

Next is the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, which usually corresponds with Lent.  The intent of this period is to draw closer to God through introspection.  During this time, the Candidates and Elect (formerly referred to as the Catechumen) also participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, preparing them for Holy Communion at Easter Vigil.

At Easter Vigil, the Candidates and Elect are brought into full Communion in the Church.

Following Easter is a period known as the Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy, during which those who have just taken the Sacraments of Initiation are able to continue their education, helping to give them a solid foundation on which to start their lives of faith.