| Before Vatican Council II, the ordinary way a person who was not
Catholic became a member of the Roman Catholic Church was to take a course of
instruction. This course of instruction was either about twenty classes given by the
parish priest or private instructions from the priest. Books like, "Father
Smith Instructs Jackson" or a catechism were used as texts.
A decree by Archbishop John L. May, Archbishop of St. Louis and President of the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops, was issued on March 18, 1988. The RCIA was to become
mandatory on September 1, 1988. Since that time, the RCIA has become normative as
the process used to introduce both catechumens (those who have never been baptized) and
candidates (baptized in a Protestant church) to the teachings and lived faith of the
Catholic community of faith and to welcome them into the Catholic Church.
The model for this process is the experience of the disciples who were on the road
to Emmaus on the day of the Resurrection. Distressed and discouraged the two
disciples were grieving and wondering what the future held for all Jesus' disciples.
Jesus joined them in their journey and asked about the topic of their conversation.
Jesus permitted them to express their feelings and thoughts about Him. Then He
explained all the scriptures that had reference to Him. At Emmaus, Jesus was invited
to stay overnight, said the blessing, broke the break, was recognized by the disciples,
and vanished from their sight.
People who have an interest in the Catholic Church, its teachings, and its lived
faith are invited to journey with us to ask their questions, to find out what we believe,
and to experience ministry in the Catholic Church.
Each parish should have an RCIA Team (pastor, catechists, and sponsors) which
welcomes the inquirer and which accompanies each of them as they journey with us.
Non-Catholic adults and children over the age of seven are to enter the Church by means of
the Journey of Faith (RCIA) process.
Period of Evangelization and the Precatechumenate
First Step: Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
Period of the Catechumenate
Second Step: Election of Enrollment of Names
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy
Contact the RCIA Director listed in the Directory of Ministries if
you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic. Remember, a person can
enter the journey anytime of the year. |
