The RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process whereby those interested in learning about the Catholic faith come together on a weekly basis to learn about Scriptures and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church at the same time to discover where God is present in their lives ID: 318757
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Slide1
RCIA IntroductionSlide2
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process whereby those interested in learning about the Catholic faith come together on a weekly basis to learn about Scriptures and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, at the same time, to discover where God is present in their lives.
What is the R.C.I.A?Slide3
The process is designed for adults who are:
not baptized
Baptized in another
tradition
Baptized Catholics who have not received Holy Eucharist or ConfirmationSlide4
Let’s take a look at. . .
Rite
Christian
Initiation
AdultsSlide5
Rite
“Any repetitive ceremonial activity with fixed rules; also, a particular ritual ceremony.”
(HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism)
A public liturgical act of the Church.Slide6
Christian
His life
His teachings
His mission
His saving life, death &
resurrection
His Church
Relating to the person of Jesus ChristSlide7
Initiation
“The rites, ceremonies, ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect or society or is invested with a particular function or status.”
(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)
Military, service organization, etc.Slide8
Adults
In Church terms, an “adult” is someone who has reached the “age of reason,” about age 7. At St. Mary’s, we have RCIA sessions adults/youth age 16 and older, adults who speak Spanish primarily or exclusively.Slide9
The First Period
The Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
Also known as the Period of Inquiry, it is a time for:
Asking questions about the Catholic faith
Building community within the group
Developing a trusting atmosphereSlide10
The First Period
The Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
More importantly, it is a time for:
Examining God’s presence in our lives, past and present
Learning about prayer
Fostering conversion
Developing or improving our relationship
with God
Getting to know his ChurchSlide11
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
Titles Used
General Theme:
Keyword /s:
Leading Party:
Length of Time:
Aim:
Content
Rites
Inquirers
Getting to know each other
Inquirer
Inquirers
Not fixed –according to the needs and wishes of the inquirer
A trust between inquirers, Pastor, and Catechists
Exploration of the inquirers background and needs. Introduction to the values of the Gospel
Prayers suited to the InquirersSlide12
The First Step
Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
The Rite of Acceptance is the first rite of the RCIA process for those who are not baptized.
It takes place within the context of Sunday Mass.
Those wishing to enter into the second period of RCIA (
Catechumenate
or Study Period) make a public commitment to accept the way of the cross.
The worshiping community, the members of the parish family, publically welcome the
unbaptised
Inquirers and promise to support them in their ongoing journey of faith.Slide13
The First Step (a)
The Rite of Welcoming the Candidates
The Rite of Acceptance is the first rite of the RCIA process for those who are baptized.
It takes place within the context of Sunday Mass with the Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
The baptized Inquirers are now referred to as Candidates, and are known by this title for the rest of the RCIA process.
The Candidates make a public commitment to accept the way of the cross. The worshiping community, the members of the parish family, publicly welcome the Candidates and promise to support them in their ongoing journey of faith.Slide14
Rite of Acceptance
Rite of Welcoming
Titles Used
General Theme:
Keyword /s:
Leading Party:
Length of Time:
Aim:
Content
Rites
Catechumens
Candidates = the name used from now on for those who have been validly baptized in another Christian faith
Follow the light
Journey of Faith
Ready to move on
Welcome
Priest and Parish
Priest and Parish
Usually celebrated in fall
Usually celebrated in fall
Marks the formal beginning of the Catechumemate (Teaching ) period.
Marks the formal beginning of the Catechumemate (Teaching ) period.
A formal liturgical rite, which is often celebrated during Holy Mass
A formal liturgical rite, which is often celebrated during Holy Mass
Acceptance Into the Order of the Catechumens
The Rite of Welcoming the CandidatesSlide15
The Second Period
The Period of the Catechumenate
A Catechumen (from Latin
catechumenus
, Greek
κατηχουμε
ѵо
ς
, instructed) is receiving instruction in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism.
It is for this reason that those who are already baptized in another Christian faith are not known as Catechumens, but rather Candidates.
The
Catechumenate
is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in Christian life.Slide16
This is achieved in four ways:
Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by celebrations of the Word.
The Catechumens are learning to:
- Turn more readily to God in prayer
-
To bear witness to the Faith
-
In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
-
To follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds
-
To practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation
Suitable liturgical rites, which purify the Catechumens little by little and strengthen blessing; including celebrations of the Word.
Learning to work actively with others to spread the GospelSlide17
The Second Period
The Period of the Catechumenate
“Breaking Open the Word” – reading and discussing the Sunday Gospel
The Catechumenate is a time for:
Continuing to build community within the group
Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community
Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church
More importantly, it is a time for:
Continuing to examine God’s presence in our lives, past and present
Developing prayer life, entering into communal worship of the parish
Fostering conversion
Developing or improving our relationship with GodSlide18
The conclusion of this period leads into the
Second Step
(third period), namely the
Election or Enrolment of Names for the Catechumens
and the
Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion
for the Candidates.Slide19
The Second Step
Election or Enrollment of Names
and
The Rite of Calling Candidates to Continued
Both are celebrations that are usually held at the Diocesan Cathedral on a particular date, presided over by the local Bishop.
Those wishing to be baptized or received into full communion with the Catholic Church come together, often on the same day.
Their names are publicly declared to all present.
This signifies their intention to be initiated at the Easter Vigil.
The Bishop joyfully welcomes those to be baptized as children of God, as well as those who have already been baptized but seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
The Catechumens are now referred to as
The Elect
.Slide20
Election / Enrollment of Names
Call to Continuing Conversion
Titles Used
General Theme:
Keyword /s:
Leading Party:
Length of Time:
Aim:
Content
Rites
Catechumen are now called Elect
Candidates
Calling
Continuing Conversion
Readiness
Conversion
The Local Bishop
The Local Bishop
Usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent
Usually celebrated on the second Sunday of Lent in Los Angeles
The Church formally ratifies the Catechumens readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation; and they publicly express their wish to receive them
Marks the formal beginning of the Catechumemate (Teaching ) period.
A formal rite, which is often celebrated at the local Diocesan Cathedral, led by the Bishop.
A formal rite, which is often celebrated at the local Diocesan Cathedral, led by the Bishop
Election or Enrolment of Names
The Rite of calling the Candidates to Continuing ConversionSlide21
The Third Period
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment is a time for:
Repentance
Examining areas of sinfulness and weakness in our lives
Asking for God’s help in healing these areas
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
Preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation Slide22
The Third Period
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This period tends to correspond with Lent and is intended to be a period of increased introspection and coming closer to God.
The aim of the period is to eliminate what is weak and sinful; and reaffirm what is holy.
During this period the Catechumens undertake:
The three
Scrutinies
(3
rd
, 4
th
, and 5
th
Sundays of Lent)
During this period the Candidates prepare for:
The Sacrament of ReconciliationSlide23
The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert Matt 4:1-11
The Transfiguration Matt 17:1-9
The Man Born Blind
John 11: 1-45
The Woman at the Well John 4: 4-42
The Raising of Lazarus John 11: 1-45
The Lenten Gospels
From
Year ASlide24
The Third Period
The Period of Purification and Enlightenment
Presentation of the Creed (3
rd
Week of Lent)
Morning Prayer
Holy Thursday – The Washing of Feet
Holy Friday – Service, Veneration of
the Cross
Holy Saturday
Presentation of the Our FatherSlide25
Purification and Enlightenment
Titles Used
General Theme:
Keyword /s:
Leading Party:
Length of Time:
Aim:
Content
Rites
Catechumen are called the Elect; the candidates are still candidates
Preparation / Retreat
Integration
Parish
Lasts the whole season of Lent
Intense spiritual preparation for the Easter sacraments; examination and reflection of life
Prayer, fasting, almsgiving; Lenten Scriptural reflection; Sacramental reflection
The Elect- Scrutinies, Presentation of Creed and The Lord’s Prayer; Candidates –Sacrament of Reconciliation Slide26
The Third Step
The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
on the night of the Easter Vigil-the night we celebrate new life through death – the celebration of the three sacraments takes place
the sacraments of
Baptism
,
Eucharist
(Holy Communion), and
Confirmation
.
The Elect celebrate all of these via the
Rite of Initiation
The Candidates (having already been baptized) celebrate Eucharist and Confirmation during the Easter season via the
Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into the full Communion of the Catholic Church
.
The Elect are now called Neophytes, and are considered to be full members of the Catholic Church. Our new members of the Church community move on to the
Period of
Mystagogia
.Slide27
The Fourth Phase
The Period of Mystagogia
The Period of Mystagogia is a time for:
Living a sacramental life
Living out the Gospel way of life
Becoming more involved in the Parish
The topics often discussed at this stage are:
Evangelization
Stewardship
Lay Ministry
The Sunday Gospel for eight weeks of the Easter season, including Pentecost, are discussed and what they mean in the context of our lives.Slide28
Our Pastor Father Vaughn Winters
0ur
R.C.I.A
. Director
Debbie Castillo
and our RCIA Team Members
Welcome to R.C.I.A.
On behalf of…
Facilitator Diane
Ramos
Facilitators
Steve
and Mary Rose
Toll
Facilitator Sherry
PhillipsSlide29
So, where are we now?
The Inquiry period:
This is the starting place for adults who are thinking about entering the Catholic Church
You are just finding out about Jesus, Christianity, and the Catholic Church.
Talk to people, walk around in our shoes, get a feel for the place
Your main task here is to develop your faith a little bit. Get to know Christ, prayer, the Catholic Church, and how Christians live.Slide30
What’s Next? (Suggestions)
Keep coming to Inquiry with your questions
Complete the information packet. Remember, you don’t “have to do” anything, but this will begin the paperwork process if you are ready
(if baptized, we will need a copy of your baptismal certificate)
Pray, pray, pray. Ask God for faith and guidance
Ask, ask, ask! This is a serious step. Do not be afraid to ask questions. If we cannot answer them, we will get you an answer
You may want to begin thinking about a sponsor. This is someone who acts as a guide as you journey in faith
If you were previously married, make an appointment with a priest.Slide31
Major Questions to Consider?
Does God exist?
If God is real, how will
I respond?
Why do I exist?
Does life have meaning?
If so, what is it?
Who is Jesus?
What do I think of him?
Can I really have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Is Christ the only way?
Why call God Father?
What is the Catholic Church, and why should I enter it?
Why do I keep doing things I know to be wrong?
How should I live?