The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process for initiation into the Catholic Church. It is intended to instruct in the Catholic Faith those who are seeking to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through Baptism and/or Confirmation and Holy Communion. RCIA is your compass to the Catholic Faith.
It is a restoration of the catechumenate, which was the early church's practice around the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Congregation for Divine Worship prepared it and Pope Paul VI approved it in 1972. It was approved for use in the United States in 1974. In 1986, the United States Catholic Conference approved the ritual edition that included additional combined rites (for both the unbaptized and uncatechized baptized) and the national statutes. It is now mandated in all parishes.
• Anyone not yet baptized.
• Anyone baptized in another Christian faith but interested in becoming Catholic.
• Anyone baptized as a Catholic who did not yet receive first Communion or Confirmation.
• Fully initiated Catholics seeking fuller catechetical knowledge of their Catholic Faith.
• Anyone who is looking to learn more about Christianity.
The RCIA classes meet weekly beginning in August. The RCIA team works with adults seeking to join the Catholic Church or Catholics who need catechesis before receiving First Communion and/or Confirmation. The classes are held in the Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Contact Angel Vicknair, RCIA Coordinator: avicknair12@gmail.com or call the Church Office: (985) 863-7935.