RCIA

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RCIA

• The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

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What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults?

• The RCIA is the process by which the Catholic
  Church welcomes new members into its midst and/or
  completes the process of initiation.
• It is a return to the method used by the Early
  Church to initiate new members as mandated by the
  Second Vatican Council.
• It is a multi-dimensional process of Christian
  Initiation into the Catholic Christian Community
  that includes the thorough study of Sacred
  Scripture and Church doctrine, spiritual
  reflection, private and liturgical prayer, and
  community service and involvement.
• It is essentially a loving immersion into the
  Mystery of the Church in which Christ is truly
  active and present and facilitates the conversion
  of the heart to our loving God in Christ Jesus
  our Lord and Savior.

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How does this happen?

• Basically the RCIA is the Baptismal Rite extended
  over the course of the each RCIA participants
  process of conversion.
• For those preparing to receive Baptism, this
  process is an extended immersion into the Paschal
  Mystery that allows the individual to thoroughly
  absorb the conversion experience.
• For those already Baptized, this process permits
  a reaffirmation of baptismal vows and an extended
  opportunity for reflection on ones baptism.

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How does this happen?

• Period of Inquiry This is the period of initial
  inquiry into the Catholic faith. The sessions
  are characterized by informal and often
  spontaneous discussions of various points of
  interest and concern to the inquirer.
• Period of Catechumenate This is a period of
  intense study of Sacred Scripture and Doctrines
  of the Church
• Period of Purification and Enlightenment This is
  a period of spiritual reflection and preparation
  for reception of the Sacraments of Initiation
• Period of Mystagogia This is the period
  following the reception of the Sacraments in
  which the newly initiated person continues to
  reflect on the experience of initiation into the
  Mystery of the Church.

• The Process of Conversion involves a series of
  Periods that reflect the natural stages of an
  individuals intellectual and spiritual growth
• Each Period is liturgically marked by
  celebrations indicating the end of one stage and
  the entrance into the next stage of the Faith
  Journey.

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The Periods and Celebrations of the RCIA Process
Period of Inquiry
Period of the Catechumenate
Period of Mystagogy
Period of Purification and Enlightenment