What is R.C.I.A.?

• An adult Catholic who has not been confirmed?
• A non-Catholic who is marrying or is already married to a Catholic and wants to know more about the Catholic Church?
• A Catholic who has been away from the Church and would like to return?
• A practicing Catholic who is looking for a way to deepen your faith and understanding?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a  spiritual journey into the teaching of the Catholic Church.  Through R.C.I.A., Catholic and non-Catholic adults can be prepared to receive the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.  Together we study Scripture, the teaching of the Catholic Church and prayerfully explore our relationship with Jesus. Here at St. Ann's, we implement the RCIA through three programs, each geared to specific age groups:  the RCIA for those 18 or older; the RCIT for teens; and a special sacramental preparation program for children ages 7 to 12.  If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or completing their sacramental preparation, call Liz Deal, 610-983-3751 or email her stannadulted@comcast.net.

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the way people join the Catholic Community.  It is a process of instruction, prayer and community experience that leads to full membership in the Catholic Church.  It's also a way for people who are already Catholics to complete their sacramental initiation (Confirmation, First Eucharist) or to update and renew their faith. There are different ways of knowing.  We know in our heads, and we can know in our hearts. Head knowledge has its place and its importance.  Head knowledge tells us how to add, or when to wear a raincoat.  But some things we can only know in our hearts, in the very core of our being:  I am loved.  No matter how many times someone tells us that, we may not believe it until it reaches us on a deeper level.

The goal of RCIA is to come to know God, to know Jesus, not just with our minds, but to the very center of our selves. RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This is a process that may lead to sacramental initiation into the Catholic Church.  This is a chance to try-on Catholic Christianity.

History of the RCIA

This process continued for about 500 years before it was abandoned, for a variety of reasons.  Within the past 25 years, the Church has reinstated the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in a form similar to the ancient model.

The Rite recognizes the four stages of discipleship: 

1. The Inquiry or Pre-Catechumenate;
2. The Catechumenate or Instruction;
3. The Purification and Enlightenment;
4. The Mystagogy which is a period of continued formation after Easter, after the sacraments are conferred.

There are also special public services that mark each of these stages. This is the framework for what we will do together. The fundamental element of RCIA is your experience of God in your life.  God is present to us in many ways, especially in prayer, Scripture, and the fellowship of others.  While there is dogma and teaching to be learned, they get their meaning and fulfillment only in our experience of God.

So the basic elements of our program are:

• Prayer
• Scripture
• Discussions and integration into the community.

These will be supplemented by our involvement together in different aspects of parish life:  Sunday mass, special rites and observances, retreats and, of course, reception of sacraments when we are ready.