RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult
Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic faith?
OR
Do you want to complete your initiation into the Catholic Church?
You may have a friend who is Catholic….you may be dating, engaged, or married to a Catholic….or you may just be seeking information about the Catholic faith on your own. You may have even been baptized a Catholic or celebrated your First Communion but never were confirmed. The Inquiry Sessions are for you. If you are one of these people, we welcome you!
Our faith community at Immaculate Conception invites you to learn about our RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). It is a process of prayer, reflection on Scripture and your relationship with God, and learning that centers on the Catholic Faith and your relationship with the Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not sure that I want to join the Catholic Church but I have questions. Should I come to an Inquiry Session?
Yes!
What happens after the Inquiry Sessions?
This depends on where you are on your faith journey. If you have limited experience or background in a Christian faith, you will need to come to classes for several months and experience life in our faith community. If you have been an active member of another Christian denomination, you will have fewer classes, again depending on your background.
What is the goal of RCIA?
The goal is not to celebrate a Sacrament; it is to grow in your love and awareness of God, to build a relationship with Jesus Christ, and to learn how the Catholic faith community lives out this call.
I am not baptized and am getting married to a Catholic. I want to join the Church before our wedding. Is that possible?
If your wedding is already scheduled within the next 12 months, you will need to put your time into preparation for your marriage. However, if the wedding is further into the future, please call so that we can discuss the timeline for your RCIA process. Racing to join the Church before your wedding does not respect you or the unique faith journey that God is creating just for you. Adults are baptized at the Easter Vigil.
I was baptized but not as a Catholic. I wish to join the Catholic Church. Am I still looking at several months of preparation?
That depends on several things. If you come to the Catholic Church with a full experience of living out the Christian faith, you may be invited to study and understand the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism as well as obtain a clear understanding of the Catholic Sacraments. This might be adequate preparation, because it builds on your previous faith formation. However, if you come to the join the Catholic Church with limited faith experience or knowledge, you will need several months of preparation in the RCIA process. Unlike adult baptisms, welcoming baptized adults into the Catholic Church can happen anytime during the Easter Season.
I was baptized as a Catholic but never celebrated my First Communion or Confirmation. Where do I fit in?
You will be invited into the weekly RCIA classes and to prepare to complete your initiation into the Catholic faith community. You would be encouraged to journey in the RCIA process for several months. You could celebrate your First Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Season.
I was baptized as a Catholic and celebrated my First Communion. I was never confirmed. Do I come to RCIA classes?
Yes, those who are only preparing for Confirmation will also find the RCIA classes to be an excellent way to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
I am divorced? Is this an issue as far as the RCIA process is concerned?
Each situation is unique, but this is an important issue to understand. You are encouraged to talk with our priest about your unique situation when you first inquire into the RCIA process.
Is there any cost associated with RCIA?
No.