Adult Journey of Conversion and Initiation
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the
process which an adult is invited to deepen their faith, is welcomed
into the Catholic Faith community, and initiated through the sacraments
of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
In the early church, the Catechumenate Process first developed
in response to the centuries of persecution that faced the early
Christians. It tried to help those attracted to Christianity become
firmly rooted in faith and commitment to the message of Jesus in
the Gospels.
The Vatican II Council restored the Catechumenate to the Church
and has mandated it as the norm for adults preparing for the Sacraments
of Initiation. It is meant to be more than instructions in the Faith,
although the beliefs and practices of Catholicism are important. In addition, the RCIA. strives to form mature, committed Catholic
adults through participation in the Sunday Liturgy (Mass), through
reflection on the Word of God in the Sunday Scripture, through prayer,
and by participation in the life of the Parish community.
At St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish, we have been blessed
with many new members in recent years. All of us are continually challenged
to lead others to God through our example and prayer, and at time,
through our own involvement in the RCIA. process or by extending
an invitation to a non-Catholic relative or friend. It is important
to remember that no one will ever be pressured to remain in the RCIA.
if he or she chooses to leave. The first, the Inquiry stage,
is precisely that, a time to "come and see".
