RCIA-Becoming Catholic

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (often abbreviated RCIA) is the process through which interested adults are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life. The RCIA is a communal process and involves a number of stages punctuated by liturgical rites to aid and assist the potential convert toward the final rite, usually at the Easter Vigil at which time they will become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. The entire process takes several months, (ideally a minimum of one complete liturgical year), but participants are generally invited to proceed at a pace which suits them individually. The Church prefers to call this the process and not a program. A catechumen is a person who has never received baptism. A candidate is a person who was already baptized. The Catholic Church acknowledges other Christian baptisms as long as the Trinitarian formula "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" was used.

Each year we celebrate the beautiful liturgy of Easter Vigil which is highlighted by the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist). That night, we welcome to our church community those who made their faith journey through the process of RCIA. RCIA classes begin in August and are held every Sunday of the month during the 9:00 am Mass. These sessions are also for Catholics who have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Please contact Deacon Chuck Reyburn for more information at 209-383-3924 ext. 20 or by email.

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