Are you….

• unbaptized?

• a baptized non-catholic with little or no involvement in any church?

• someone who wants to share the in the Eucharist at mass?

• looking for a faith community to call home?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then maybe the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for you. RCIA is a process through which men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites celebrated during Mass.

Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism.

Participants that have been baptized and wish to join the Catholic faith are called candidates and they also undergo a process of conversion as they prepare to make a profession of faith and celebrate Confirmation and Eucharist.

If you are interested in learning more about this process, or would like to be a sponsor or team member, please contact the parish office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Prior to formally beginning the RCIA process, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This time period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a longer period of searching; for others, it is a shorter time.

The next phase, called the Period of the catechumenate, can last for as long as several years or for a much shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in their faith, what questions and obstacles they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this faith journey. During this time the catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they want to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what membership in the Catholic Church involves.

The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday night when the catechumen receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The person is now fully initiated as member of the Catholic Church and will continue to live out their response to God as a member of this faith community.

After the person is initiated at the Vigil, another period of formation and education continues in the period of the post baptismal catechesis, which is called "Mystagogy."

This period continues at least until Pentecost and often longer. During the period of mystagogy, the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission and outreach activities.

What is meant when people refer to men and women coming into "full communion with the Church"?

Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for men and women who are baptized Christians but not Roman Catholics. These individuals make a profession of faith but they are not baptized again.

We refer to a member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish who will journey with you during this process as a companion sponsor. They are there to support you and assist you. In addition, the person who is not baptized will be picking a Godparent to help guide them in the Catholic life they are choosing. This person will also be part of the journey.

A person who has been baptized in another faith or in the Catholic faith will be choosing a sponsor as their guide in the Church. Choosing this person should be done with much thought and prayerful consideration.