RCIA Website: www.buckmelton.com/rcia

There are many people who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church. Of these, some are interested in actually joining the Catholic Church. The means by which someone joins the Catholic Church is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA.  There are several phases lasting as long as the individual and/or the Church deems necessary.

The First Stage:  The Inquiry period:  As soon as someone begins to have an interest in the Catholic faith, even before they make any official contacts with the Church, that person is an Inquirer. Those who are not Catholic may participate in the Catholic Mass in every way except for the reception of Holy Communion. Receiving Holy Communion is the ultimate sign that one is in “full Communion” with the Catholic Church, which is Jesus’ way of uniting us to the Most Holy Trinity.

After making contact with our parish, the inquirer begins a process of formal religious education in the church. In conjunction with the parish, this formal time of learning the truths and religious practices of the Church enables the individual to decide if he/she is being called to the Catholic Church.  This period of inquiry could last several years before official contact with the Church is made. Once the formal education in the RCIA begins, this stage could conclude in a few months.

The Second Stage: Catechumen or Candidate Period: After an adequate time of inquiring into the Catholic faith and through a discernment process with those who lead the RCIA, the inquirer requests to enter into a formal relationship with the Catholic Church. For those who have never been baptized a ceremony during Mass welcomes them into the “order of catechumens.” For those baptized by water and in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, this ceremony acknowledges that they are now “Candidates” for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Those validly baptized in other Christian denominations are not baptized again in the Catholic Church.

Once the inquirer enters the “order of Catechumens or Candidates” the person has officially linked themselves with the Catholic Church. If free to do so, they may be married in the Catholic Church and also receive a Christian Funeral from the Catholic Church.  They are asked to register in the parish.

During this period of more intense learning of the teachings of the Catholic Church and her official prayer, spirituality, and morality, which we hope and pray leads by God’s grace a conversion to these teachings and ways of relating to God and the Communion of Saints, the candidate or catechumen is received into the Catholic Church. For those who are not baptized, reception into the Church normally takes place at the Vigil of Easter. The Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist are celebrated and received.   For the “Candidate” for full communion in the Catholic Church, there is a renewal of baptismal promises and then the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. This can take place at the Vigil of Easter of some other appropriate time.

The Third Stage: The period of Mystygogia: After the catechumens and candidates enter the full communion of the Catholic Church, there are several additional religious education classes on the Sacraments of the Church and how these enable us, by God’s grace, to enter into the “mystery of salvation.”  This is the period called “mystygogia.” The new Catholic is called a “Neophyte.”

The formal period of instruction for the RCIA begins the Thursday after Labor Day in September and concludes the Thursday after Pentecost Sunday.

Growing in one’s Catholic faith is a life-long pilgrimage. We pray that you will join the pilgrimage with us. The parish website for more information regarding RCIA is www.buckmelton.com/rcia.  Also, please call our parish office at 478-745-1631 or email one of the priests on staff.  May God bless you!

Father Allan J. McDonald, Pastor
frajm@st-joseph.cc