Church of the Holy Spirit
A Roman Catholic Parish
What is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA, is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church in the first and second centuries.
Are you a Catholic adult who has not received the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Are you, or someone you know, looking for a spiritual home and are considering becoming Catholic?
If yes, you are most welcome and invited to attend an Inquiry Night on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in Holy Family Hall.
This will be an opportunity to start a conversation about the faith where we could discuss any questions you may bring about the Catholic Church.
Would you like to talk to a priest to have your questions about joining the Catholic Church answered?
Join us on October 2nd
or
Call our rectory to make an appointment.
203-322-3722
Rectory Office Hours
Mon-Wed & Fri
9:30AM - 3:30PM
All are Welcome!
RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
RCIA is a Journey
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, which is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:
List of Services
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Pre-CatechumenateList Item 1
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
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Rite of InitiationList Item 2
The first Rite in the RCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Rite of ElectionList Item 4
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
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Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the RCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
