RCIA is an acronym for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; it is a process of discernment on the part of an adult seeking a deeper relationship with God and a fuller understanding of the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church.
I did say “process,” deliberately avoiding the word “program” for good reason. Programs have time lines designed to move all participants on a common path to a desired end in a prescribed time. A process invites people to participate and encourages them to take all the time they need to discern their progress and ultimate decision.
Thus it is with RCIA — a rich and meaningful process designed to allow a person to move at their own pace as they draw closer to God and God’s people. Some may take — and this is generally the case — an academic year to prepare to become Catholic; for others it may take years. Allowing ample time for discernment is vitally important because no one ought to feel pressured in any way. They must remain free to walk their personal faith journey.
Each person enjoys a unique faith journey. For some it begins as an infant when parents bring their child to the Church to be baptized, thereby beginning their journey of faith and initiation into the Church. Others are baptized and brought into the Body of Christ at differing ages for a variety of reasons that are often influenced by family relationships, life experience and opportunity, or lack of it, to know Jesus Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church begins with a beautiful statement about how we as a people are drawn into relationship with God: “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself” (CCC, 27).
[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself” (CCC, 27).[/perfectpullquote]So how is it that an adult seeks membership in the Catholic Church? It is first and most importantly a response to God’s love. God has placed a desire upon the heart of every person to be in relationship with him, and this moves one to act.
Also important in one being prompted to seek a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God is the Body of Christ who model Christ’s love in the world. Often, I have heard from those involved in the process of RCIA that they saw in a friend, a colleague or a family member a way of life that they admired and in conversation came to understand it was their lived faith in Jesus and his Church that fashioned that way of life.
There are two distinct categories of adults preparing to enter the Church: a catechumen — one who has not been baptized, and a candidate — one who is baptized in the Christian tradition who may or may not have been actively involved in the life of a church.
Both the catechumen and the candidate are seeking full membership in the Catholic Church through the sacraments of baptism (if a catechumen), reconciliation, first Eucharist and confirmation. The RCIA process is filled with study, questioning, Church teaching, Scripture, prayer, self-reflection and tradition. It also includes rites of welcome, acceptance, sending and election, which take place in the presence of the faith community.
The participation of the Catholic community is essential to RCIA, for it is in shared relationships that a candidate or catechumen might initially inquire about what it takes to become Catholic. Welcoming people to know more about Jesus Christ is not the sole task of a parish priest or staff member; it belongs to the whole faith community as members of Christ’s Church.
Although each person’s faith journey is personal, those who commit to the RCIA process do not walk alone. They are supported, guided, mentored and taught by members of the Church who share their personal gifts and faith in an effort to bring Christ to others. RCIA calls upon the faithful to models discipleship as they extend to others an invitation to know Jesus. In this way the whole of the community becomes engaged in the mission of the Catholic Church: to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
Do you know of catechumens or candidates preparing for membership in the Catholic Church in your parish? If so, make a commitment today to support them with your prayers, to greet them when you are able and to help them feel welcomed. Welcoming new members to our faith community is a sign of great hope for all of God’s people. With grateful hearts we ask God’s continued blessing on our shared faith journey as together we draw closer to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Deb Rudolph serves as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Sartell. She received her MA in Pastoral Ministry from St. John’s University School of Theology in 2005. She and her husband Joe have been married for 48 years and have five children and 11 grandchildren. Deb is currently in her 46th year of involvement in Church ministry in the St. Cloud Diocese.