What is the RCIA?

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is actually a program that goes back to the very early church when all new Catholics were converts from Judaism or Gentiles and were – therefore - adults. RCIA is a journey process of initiation and education for the prospective candidates now brought back into use after Vatican II.

RCIA is a 4-step journey concluding on Holy Saturday during Holy Week.

1. The pre-catechumenate step is like inquiring about a new job.

2. As a catechumenate you are presented to the community in the rite of election.

3. As the catechumens move into Lent the Scrutinies prepare them for the journey.

4. The “Mystagogia” step reflects the early church when the mysteries of the sacraments were explained to the catechumens.

This folder contains some of those documents which can be helpful to someone considering the Catholic Church and/or involved in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program.

Some of the other folders such as Bible Study, Catholic 101 and Catechism also have some documents which can be useful in an RCIA program - but those shown here are really the basics.

The photo is from the parish of a Holy Thursday.