Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
WHAT IS RCIA?
It is a formation process designed to instruct adults in the Roman Catholic faith and to prepare adults to receive the sacraments of the Church.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND RCIA CLASSES?
- Adults who have never been baptized and who are thinking about becoming a Christian in the Roman Catholic Church.
- Adults who have been baptized in another Christian church and who desire to join in membership in the Roman Catholic Church.**
- Adults who have been baptized in the Catholic Church and who have not completed their full initiation into the Church through the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
- Catholic adults who have been inactive in their Faith and who want to make a change.
Catholic adults who want to continue learning about the Faith are welcome to attend RCIA classes. Their witness to the Faith is of great benefit to the catechumens and candidates.
**For those baptized in another church: If it can be verified that the baptism was performed “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (the Trinitarian blessing), the Candidate will not be baptized again. After a period of study and preparation, the Candidate will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation by making a first confession, and then during the Easter Vigil Mass, the Candidate will complete the initiation into the Roman Catholic Church by making a profession of faith and receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Classes are held on Saturday mornings 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Classes begin on September 16, 2023 and end on April 20, 2024. It is important to make a commitment to attend all the scheduled classes. Although material will be available to help fill in for any classes missed, simply reading notes will not have the same impact as the oral presentations and class discussions.
IS A SPONSOR REQUIRED?
Each person in the RCIA process will need a Catholic “sponsor.” The sponsor must be a confirmed and practicing Catholic who is at least 16-years-old, and who is able to validly receive Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil Mass. Optimally, sponsors attend meetings with you and attend Mass with you each week to help acquaint you with the St. Michael Parish. If you do not know of a Catholic who could be your sponsor, please be assured that there are parish volunteers waiting to serve in this capacity. We will match you with a member of the parish.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?
If you are seriously considering becoming a Roman Catholic, or would simply like more information about the Roman Catholic faith, please call or email Adina Ordonez, Director of Religious Education at 571-385-0085, reled@stmikes22003.org.
Tu es Petrus