Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Calendar: http://calendar.yahoo.com/holyangelsrcia

WHAT IS RCIA?

RClA is a faith journey. The faith-community of Holy Angels Church welcomes adults into the Catholic Church and prepares them to receive the

Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Holy Eucharist.

The RCIA process was renewed in the Catholic Church in 1972. It is modeled on the initiation process of the early Christians. And it is designed for adults who are consciously and freely seeking the living God. That is:

Non-Christian adults who would like to become members of the Catholic Church. These adults are seeking reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
Non-Catholics (but Christian) seeking reception into full communion with the Catholic Church, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
Catholics seeking completion of their initiation by the reception of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

THE RCIA PROCESS and RITES

PRECATECHUMENATE (Period of Inquiry) - Non-Christians are known as INQUIRERS, those seeking reception into the Catholic Church and those Catholics completing their initiation are called CANDIDATES.

RlTE OF ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORDER OF CATECHUMENS

PERIOD OF THE CATECHUMENATE (Student of Scripture) Inquirers are now called CATECHUMENS.

RITE OF ELECTION - Catechumens are now called ELECT.

PERIOD OF PURIFICATION and ENLIGHTENMENT (Lent - 40 days of preparation)

SACRAMENTAL RITES OF INITIATION AT THE EASTER VIGIL

PERIOD OF MYSTAGOGIA (Learning the Mystery during the 50 the Easter Season) Elect are now called NEOPHYTES.

RCIA Documents

Lent

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