Christian InitiationChristian Initiation(RCIA)(RCIA)

Mr. Pablo CuadraReligion Class

What is initiation?What is initiation?

1. The 1. The processprocess of of being admitted to being admitted to a groupa group or an or an organization.organization.

What does initiation entail?What does initiation entail?

Initiation usually Initiation usually involves a process involves a process of of

A. A. preparationpreparation B. B. instructioninstruction C. C. testingtesting

How does the Church welcome How does the Church welcome its new members?its new members?

The Church The Church welcomes new welcomes new members members through through a process of a process of initiation called initiation called RCIARCIA

What does RCIA stand for?What does RCIA stand for?

RCIA stands for:RCIA stands for: RiteRite of of ChristianChristian

InitiationInitiation for for adultsadults

What is the purpose of What is the purpose of RCIA?RCIA?

To To welcome new welcome new membersmembers into the into the ChurchChurch and and prepareprepare them to receive the them to receive the sacraments of sacraments of initiation.initiation.

The sacraments of The sacraments of initiation are: initiation are: baptism, Eucharist, baptism, Eucharist, confirmation.confirmation.

What are the elements of the What are the elements of the RCIA?RCIA?

A. Proclamation of A. Proclamation of the of the word of the of the word of God.God.

B. Acceptance of the B. Acceptance of the GospelGospel

C. ConversionC. Conversion D. Profession of faithD. Profession of faith E. Sacraments of E. Sacraments of

initiation.initiation.

How long is the RCIA?How long is the RCIA?

The RCIA can last The RCIA can last several years.several years.

What is the structure of the What is the structure of the RCIA?RCIA?

The RCIA is divided The RCIA is divided into into four periods four periods and three steps or and three steps or liturgical ritesliturgical rites..

A Period A Period is a is a stagestage in in the process of the process of initiation.initiation.

A step is A step is a rite within a a rite within a periodperiod that that marks marks the endthe end of that of that periodperiod..

What are the periods of the What are the periods of the RCIA?RCIA?

A. Evangelization A. Evangelization and and PrecatechumenatePrecatechumenate

B. CatechumenateB. Catechumenate C. Purification and C. Purification and

Enlightenment Enlightenment D. Mystagogy.D. Mystagogy.

What are the steps of the What are the steps of the RCIA?RCIA?

Remember steps are rituals Remember steps are rituals (ceremonies) that (ceremonies) that markmark the the endend of a of a period period..

These steps are:These steps are: 1. 1. Rite of AcceptanceRite of Acceptance into into

the order of catechumenate the order of catechumenate (marks the end of the (marks the end of the Period Period of Evangelizationof Evangelization))

2. 2. Rite of ElectionRite of Election or or enrollment of names (Marks enrollment of names (Marks the end of the period of the end of the period of Catechumenate)Catechumenate)

3. 3. Sacraments of initiationSacraments of initiation (Marks the end of the Period (Marks the end of the Period of of Purification and Purification and enlightenmentenlightenment).).

Pre-Catechumenate 1

Catechumenate 2

Purification and enlightenment 3

Mystagogy 4

1

2

3Steps

Rite of acceptance

EnrollmentOf names

Sacraments ofinitiation

Periods

What is the period of What is the period of Evangelization about?Evangelization about?

A time of inquiry.A time of inquiry. A time of A time of

evangelization evangelization (proclamation of the (proclamation of the Good News)Good News)

A time to be informed A time to be informed about the Catholic faithabout the Catholic faith

A time to think about A time to think about the possibility of the possibility of becoming a Catholicbecoming a Catholic

What happens at the end of What happens at the end of this period?this period?

A. At the end of the period of A. At the end of the period of Evangelization Evangelization inquirers enter the inquirers enter the process of catechumenate.process of catechumenate.

B. This is called the first step: B. This is called the first step: Acceptance into the order of Acceptance into the order of catechumens.catechumens.

C. inquirers are now called C. inquirers are now called catechumens (those being instructed).catechumens (those being instructed).

What is the second Period What is the second Period about?about?

The second period The second period is called is called Catechumenate.Catechumenate.

The The catechumenate is a catechumenate is a time of time of instruction instruction and conversion.and conversion.

Who are the main figures Who are the main figures during the period of during the period of

catechumenate?catechumenate? A. the FaithfulA. the Faithful B. sponsorsB. sponsors C. catechist (those C. catechist (those

giving the giving the instruction)instruction)

D. deaconsD. deacons E. PriestsE. Priests F. Parish staffF. Parish staff

What do catechumens do What do catechumens do during this period of during this period of

Catechumenate?Catechumenate? Catechumens Catechumens

joined the joined the community to community to study, live and study, live and celebrate the celebrate the Christian faith for Christian faith for which they are which they are preparing for.preparing for.

How does the Catechumenate How does the Catechumenate take place?take place?

In four ways:In four ways: A. Through the teaching A. Through the teaching

and rules of the Church.and rules of the Church. B. Prayer, retreats, B. Prayer, retreats,

spiritual direction, spiritual direction, conversion.conversion.

C. Through the liturgy of C. Through the liturgy of the word. (the first part the word. (the first part of the mass)of the mass)

D. Service ( Community D. Service ( Community and parish)and parish)

What happens during this What happens during this period?period?

The second step The second step takes place takes place

This step is called This step is called “Election or “Election or enrollment of enrollment of names.names.

What is the meaning of the What is the meaning of the second step?second step?

This step This step marks the marks the end of the period end of the period called catechumenate.called catechumenate.

This rite or step This rite or step is is celebrated at the celebrated at the beginning of Lentbeginning of Lent and and marks the beginning marks the beginning of the period of final of the period of final preparation.preparation.

The names of those to The names of those to be baptized are be baptized are chosen.chosen.

What is the period of What is the period of purification and purification and enlightenment?enlightenment?

A. This period is a A. This period is a time for intense time for intense spiritual spiritual preparation.preparation.

B. Is a time for B. Is a time for repentance, repentance, renewalrenewal

C. Takes place C. Takes place during Lentduring Lent

What is the third step?What is the third step?

The third step takes The third step takes place at the end of the place at the end of the period of purification period of purification and enlightenment.and enlightenment.

This rite consist of the This rite consist of the sacraments of sacraments of initiation: baptism, initiation: baptism, Eucharist, and Eucharist, and confirmation.confirmation.

The catechumens are The catechumens are now called neophytes now called neophytes (new growth).(new growth).

What is Mystagogy?What is Mystagogy?

Mystagogy is the Mystagogy is the period of ongoing period of ongoing instruction after instruction after baptism.baptism.

It coincides with the It coincides with the fifty days of Easterfifty days of Easter

Is a time of mentoring Is a time of mentoring and welcoming of the and welcoming of the new Christians.new Christians.

The endThe end