Most adults became a Catholic over a long period of time. Many adults
were baptized as infants, spent their childhood in a Catholic home and received their
education through the Catholic school system. These people were gradually initiated into
the full life of the Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation and Eucharist.
Some adults who were baptized in a Christian Church which is non-Catholic have become
Roman Catholics after making a solemn profession of faith, being Confirmed and sharing in
the Eucharist with the Roman Catholic community.
Other adults who have never been baptized have been initiated into the Roman Catholic
Church after a process of formation, prayer and discernment by the individual and the
community. This initiation is marked by the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and
Eucharist at the annual celebration of Easter.
The Roman Catholic Church welcomes new members and tries to provide each person with a
suitable process for spiritual formation. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
(RCIA) is a process for initiating new members. The process has been in use in Canada
since 1974. In 1987 the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops published the Canadian
edition of this liturgical rite, encouraging parishes to implement the RCIA. The goal of
the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is to foster or deepen one’s personal
conversion to Jesus Christ, to living the gospel proclaimed by Jesus and to the life of
the community.
The Process provides a structure that incorporates the preaching and teaching of the
gospel, prayer, spiritual direction, catechesis (handing on the tradition of the church)
and personal contact with members of the local parish. The process calls all members of
the parish to share their faith with the new members. The women and men as they journey
towards full initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The parish provides sponsors who act
as companions for those seeking membership in the Catholic community.
There are liturgical celebrations or rites that are celebrated
through-out the journey to mark the candidate's spiritual growth and to visibly express
the parish's concern and support.
Periods of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA is organized or divided into stages or periods:
Period of Inquiry and Evangelization
The first period is a time of inquiry for those seeking admission to the Church. This
is a time for the Church to evangelize by telling the story of Jesus. It is a time to ask
questions about the Church and faith.
Period of the Catechumenate
Those adults who express their faith in Jesus Christ and a sincere desire to enter the
Catholic Church move to the second period. This period is know as the Catechumenate which
is primarily a time of catechesis. The candidates for initiation are known as catechumens.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
The third period usually begins on the first Sunday of Lent. Those who are ready to
receive the sacraments of initiation enter into a more reflective period coinciding with
the six weeks of Lent. The candidates reflect on the meaning of Baptism and being a
disciple of Jesus. Through the liturgical rites the parish community helps the candidates
by praying for a strengthening of all that is good and protection from that which is
sinful and harmful.
This period ends with the celebration of the initiation sacraments at
the Easter Vigil.
Christians who already are baptized are received into full communion with the Catholic
Church. (They are not rebaptized.) At this celebration the whole Catholic assembly renews
their baptismal vows and promises.
Period of Mystagogy or Postbaptismal Catechesis
The 50 days from Easter to Pentecost complete the formal initiation process. During
this festive season of Easter the new members with the parish community reflect on and
penetrate the deeper meaning of the Easter Sacraments. This is a special time when the new
members are welcomed by the community as they begin to discover how they will share in the
mission of the Church. In many dioceses during this time the Bishop meets with the new
members and their families to celebrate a festive mass of thanksgiving.
This period of 50 days reminds all members that the process of spiritual growth is a
lifelong task. Celebrating the sacraments of initiation does not mark the end of our
journey in faith. Our faith journey is one which is ongoing and takes place in the company
of the community.
For whom is the RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is for any adult wishing to become a member
of the Roman Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
For an adult baptized in another Christian Church seeking full membership in the Roman
Catholic Church the RCIA will provide suitable catechesis and time for reflection on their
spiritual journey. Their religious background and experience is respected during the
initiation process.
How long will it take to become a Roman
Catholic?
The Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is not a program that
begins and ends on a predetermined schedule. Some people will need more time than others
to prepare for initiation into the Roman Catholic Church. The usual length of time is one
to two years.
Regardless of the length of time needed for preparation, initiation usually occurs at
the Easter Vigil each year. The celebration of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil
highlights the focus of our Christian life: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
What is the first step in becoming a Roman Catholic?
Anyone who would like more information on becoming a Roman Catholic can contact the
Catholic Parish nearest their home. The pastor will arrange for them to meet with a parish
representative who will help them on their journey of faith.
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Parish Bulletins (Inserts)
Eucharist (a Greek work meaning “Thanksgiving”). At the heart of the life of the
Catholic Church has always been the celebration of the Eucharist, or the Mass, as
Catholics often call it. Taking part in the Mass is the hallmark of the Catholic life,
which is central to our Catholic identity. The Eucharist (the Mass), is the most precious
gift of the Lord Jesus to his Church.
The Lord’s
Day, Sunday, recalls the day of
Christ’s Resurrection, celebrating Christ’s victory over sin and death.
“This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps.
118:24). The Resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental core event upon which Christian
faith rests. Therefore, we commemorate the day of Christ’s Resurrection, not just
once a year at Easter, but every Sunday at Mass, as a proclamation of the death and
resurrection of the Lord until he comes again.
The
importance of Sunday has been recognized throughout 2,000 years of history
and was emphatically restated by the Second Vatican Council: “Every seven days, the
Church celebrates the Easter mystery … a day appropriately designated ‘the
Lord’s Day.’”
Rediscover Sunday: “Do
not be afraid to give your time to Christ! Open, open wide the doors to Christ” (Pope
John Paul II, Dies Domini)! We have to work together in our efforts to make Sunday special
… Sabbath, a day of space, a time of memory, a time for recreation, a space to
gather, free to listen to the scriptures, free to celebrate what may get lost in the week.
The Eucharistic Assembly is everyone who is present for the Sunday (or weekly) Eucharist
(Mass). “Ekklesia” (or ecclesia, in Latin) means assembly.
The Church is an assembly, called by the risen Lord Jesus,
to gather the world as one people in him. Thus, the Sunday Eucharist is not simply
something that the Church “does.” Rather, it is the event that makes us be
Church, the event that constructs, fashions, forms and brings into being the great
assembly in the risen Lord. We come as a community to pray.
During the liturgy of the word, the assembly listens,
reflects on what is heard, and sings the psalm in response. We stand to sing alleluia to
acclaim the gospel reading. We listen to the homilist. We pray for the needs of the world.
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Questions About The Liturgy
(by
Victor DeGagne)
Do I have to drink the Blood of Christ at Mass on Sunday?
No, one is not required to partake of the Blood during communion at Mass, however it is
highly encouraged to receive communion under both kinds.
Christ is sacramentally present under each form of bread and wine. In partaking of the
Body of Christ alone, the communicant still receives the full grace of the Eucharist. This
does not downplay the significance of the Blood of Christ in the spiritual life of the
communicant.
At the same time, "the sign of communion is more complete when given under both
kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly
(GIRM
240)" and better illustrates the Lord’s command at the Last Supper to
"take, eat and drink...." In the Eastern rites of the Church, it is the
common practice to receive communion under both kinds while in the Latin rite many still
only receive the Body of Christ.
Some prefer to receive the Blood of Christ by intinction, which is the technical term
for dipping the host into the cup. This practice is strongly discouraged in many dioceses
for many reasons ranging from hygienic to concern for proper reverence for the Blood of
Christ (to avoid drips or spills).
I have Celiac Disease and am unable to receive the Body
of Christ at communion. Sometimes at communion, the wine is not offered to the
congregation which means that I am unable to receive that day. What should I do?
Your question brings forward a very important reality for some members of our Church
who, due to their medical condition, find it difficult to fully participate in the Sunday
Eucharist.
Celiac Disease is essentially an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in
wheat, rye, barley, oats, wheat starch, hydrolyzed vegetable and plant proteins and some
spices. The ingestion of gluten, by a person who has celiac disease, damages the lining of
the small intestine which can cause immense pain, cancer of the bowel, comatose states and
even death.
This is problematic for the Church, since according to Canon Law the hosts used for
Eucharist must be made from wheat flour and as a result people with Celiac Disease are
unable to receive communion under the species of bread and when only the species of bread
is offered at Mass, then they are unable to receive at all.
According to a letter published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a
person with Celiac Disease has the right to receive communion under the species of wine
alone. If this option is not always available in your parish, I encourage you to speak
with your parish priest about your condition and about how you can more fully participate
in the communion rite.
For more information on Celiac Disease, please see www.celiac.ca.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has put together an information package on
Celiac Disease and Communion. It can be viewed at: http://www.cccb.ca/Commissions.htm?CD=&ID=342
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Music Resources
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General
Resources / Publications
CCCB Liturgy Newsletter
The following pamphlets are
available at no charge from the Catholic Pastoral Center by calling (807) 343-9313 or by
visiting 1222 Reaume St., Thunder Bay, Ontario, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Liturgy
& Our Spiritual Life
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