Becoming Catholic – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Each year during the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday), thousands of men and women join the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new members through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) that culminates with a liturgy that brings men and women into full communion with the Catholic Church. Listed below are some questions and answers about RCIA. For more information or questions please contact the Parish Office 317-257-2266.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the Catholic Church’s way of initiating new members. The Church welcomes new members and tries to provide an appropriate spiritual formation for each interested individual.
Whereas most Catholics are born into Catholic families and gradually come to share in the full sacramental life of the Church, others who were previously baptized in other Christian Churches become Catholic by making a solemn profession of faith, being confirmed, and sharing in Eucharist with the Catholic Community. Some individuals who have not been baptized are initiated through a process that leads to Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Church’s annual celebration of the Easter Vigil.
RCIA is primarily for:
- Unbaptized individuals who would like to become fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Christians who seek to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Catholics who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation in their youth.
RCIA is a process of conversion and prepares one to embark on a journey of faith that leads to a lifelong commitment as a Catholic. The usual length of preparation is approximately one year. However, some people may feel they need more time to prepare. In most cases, the initiation of new members is celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
- The Inquiry – a time for searching for God, sharing your faith, and asking initial questions and seeking answers about the Catholic faith.
- The Catechumenate – a time to study the Church teachings more formally.
- Purification & Enlightenment – during Lent, this is a time of prayer and deeper reflection as one prepares to receive God’s new life at the Easter celebration.
- Mystagogy – a time after the Easter celebration to deepen one’s understanding of what it means to “become” Eucharist and live Christ’s mission in our world.
RCIA meets once a week from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm September through May. In 2021 our first meeting will be on September 20, 2021. All are welcome!