The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is a process designed for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and/or are thinking about becoming Catholic. We welcome new members year round. The meetings present an overview of Catholic beliefs and provide an opportunity to ask questions and explore your feelings and any concerns you might have.
The RCIA exerts no pressure on people in any way; you will find yourself in a friendly and welcoming group where you can comfortably contemplate this important decision in your life. During the course of the process, members of the RCIA group are invited to participate in several preparatory Rites, which usually take place during Sunday Mass. During Lent, RCIA members who attend weekend Mass are dismissed after the homily to reflect on the homily and the Sunday readings with a facilitator until the end of Mass.
Those who go through the process who have not yet been baptized (called catechumens) have the opportunity to join the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where they receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Those who are already baptized and feel drawn to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church are received into Full Communion at the Easter Vigil as well.
Those wishing to talk about this process, please contact our Evangelization Coordinator, Marian Bart, by calling 313-883-2869.