RCIA: Forming Committed Disciples
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the ritual process by which non-Catholic and unbaptized adults learn and begin to assimilate Catholic belief and tradition. It is a ritual because there is an order or path which guides inquirers; it is a process because Initiation is ultimately about one’s relationship with Christ and his body, the Church, and cannot be “programmed”. The RCIA is a collaborative discernment process with the inquirer under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The rite of Christian initiation…is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation so at the proper time they may celebrate the sacraments fruitfully. ~ RCIA, 1.