THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Welcoming Souls Home to the Church

Every year, courageous souls enter the Catholic Church, surrendering their hearts to what she believes and teaches. They have seen her light in the midst of the darkness and experienced the love of Christ in a profound, life-changing way. Each of them has traveled a unique and inspiring journey on their path “home to Rome” with the help of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process.

“The RCIA was a most welcoming adventure and scenic pathway set in stone before me to Catholicism,” a former RCIA member says. “Every class rekindled the fire that helped me discover my love for Jesus, Mother Mary, and all of the saints. It helped prepare my soul to be washed with living water through the Sacrament of Baptism, initiating me into the Church and making me a member of the mystical body of Christ. My life has been changed forever. Now I am reborn with grace as a child of God, and a defender of the Catholic faith.”

Fulfilling the RCIA process has proved to be a wonderful opportunity for its members to embrace their newfound faith in Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. As James Whittaker, a former Protestant Minister of 22 years who was fully initiated into the Church recently along with his wife, Dianna, describes:

“I believe. First and most obvious, this was the vehicle where I could more fully learn and understand the Catholic faith to enter the church. Perhaps more specifically, when I say ‘Amen’ as I am presented the host at Mass, I am truly saying that I believe that Jesus is fully there in the Host (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity). I am also saying I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and that there is salvation in believing. It is hard to say you believe if you haven’t been taught. Therefore, RCIA is indispensable in ensuring that all who come into the Catholic Church have at least heard and understand the basic doctrine and practices.”

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process, utilized by the universal Church, for individuals to become Catholic and receive some or all of the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Centered on fostering a deep relationship with Jesus and the Church, the RCIA journey takes place through distinct stages over a period of time suitable to bring about a thorough catechesis, significant experience of the parish community, and commitment to the liturgical and moral life of the Catholic faithful. It is designed to meet the needs of catechumens (non-baptized adults who will receive all of the Sacraments of Initiation), as well as candidates (baptized Christians preparing to receive the Sacraments of Confession, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist). Normally, most of the Sacraments of Initiation are received by all at the Easter Vigil.

The RCIA sessions meet in the Fallon Center or the Conference Room on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., usually from August until Pentecost. The sessions work through the following stages: the Period of Inquiry; the Catechumenate; the Period of Purification; the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation; and the Mystagogia (during which members reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church’s mission and outreach activities).

Overall, the RCIA is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. The formation includes presentations on topics such as the mission of the Church; the Sacraments; Sacred Scripture; faith sharing; the Creed; prayer; the Mass, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“Our hope as a community of believers at Our Lady of Lourdes is that the RCIA members accept that God chose them, and say ‘yes’ to the invitation to seek the truth, wonder, and mystery of the Catholic faith,” says Deacon Byron Champagne, Director of Adult and Youth Faith Formation and Parish Coordinator of RCIA and RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children ). “We pray that they discover a new way to live in the world. RCIA is a great blessing to all of us, not just to those being initiated. It reminds us that we are all called to conversion on a daily basis. It also enables us to share the faith with our new brothers and sisters in Christ, calls on us to reaffirm our faith and recommit to Jesus, and connects us with the evangelization mission of the Church.”

If you would like further information about the RCIA process, please contact Deacon Byron Champagne at 919-861-4614.