Blessed
CATHEDRAL OF THE
SACRAMENT Stewards of God’s Gifts
The RCIA Proc
Entering into the
Catholic Life and Grow
T
his past Easter, we welcomed the teachings of the Catholic faith the newest members of the and the Gospel of Jesus. Some Church after they took part in come to us with a knowledge of the Rite of Christian Initiation the Gospel and of Jesus and have for Adults process, or RCIA. Here a relationship with Him — others at the Cathedral, candidates come to us seeking faith but and catechumens embark on are still unclear as to what that a journey of discovery that can looks like, and need more time to take anywhere from eight months explore the Gospel message and to two years or more. Through receive Christ. For this reason, this process, adults are able to each person’s journey is very discern their call to the Christian Parishioner Chrissy Vang received her distinct. After six or so sessions life, learn about the Catholic Sacraments of Initiation this past Easter. with us, we review with them their faith, and through formation journey, and ask them if they wish and prayer, be formed and prepared to receive the to continue. We then prepare them for the second Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation phase of their journey: the Catechumenate and Holy Eucharist. “The Catechumenate begins when candidates “We have year-round formation for adults (those who have already been baptized in a Catholic seeking to become Catholic through the RCIA, so or Christian faith tradition) and catechumens (those we receive people in our program whenever they are who have not been baptized) are officially recognized ready to begin their journey,” says Sister Lisa Marie in the Church through the Rite of Acceptance Doty, FDCC, who is the Director of Family Faith for Catechumens and the Rite of Welcoming for Formation and Education as well as the Coordinator Candidates. As the title of the rites suggest, they of RCIA. “The RCIA process has six distinct phases — are accepted and welcomed into the worshipping Inquiry (or pre-Catechumenate), Rite of Acceptance community at the Cathedral. The Catechumenate / Rite of Welcoming, the Catechumenate, the Rite is the longest part of the RCIA formation process of Election, Sacraments of Initiation and lastly, through which the participants learn the traditions Mystagogy. When someone comes knocking on our and doctrine of the Catholic Church. It is a time door, we do an initial interview to get to know them of sharing stories, reading Scripture, and studying and their faith journey; this is followed by three to the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. The four sessions in a questions-and-answers format Catechumens and Candidates also participate in with one of our RCIA Team catechists to answer any worship services and various Church rituals. questions they have. We call this initial introductory “With the beginning of Lent, the Catechumens phase ‘Inquiry.’ When the participants feel satisfied move into their next phase: the Rite of Sending that their questions have been answered, they and Rite of Election, through which their begin the second part of Inquiry which we call ‘pre- formation intensifies as they begin their immediate Catechumate.’ preparation for receiving the sacraments. The “The readiness at this point of the pre- period of Lent which is in itself a penitential season Catechumenate is not always definitive, but the is the perfect backdrop for the Scrutinies, miniperson shows an openness to explore more deeply rites of purification and denouncing of ‘old ways’ 4
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