|
Interested in Becoming Catholic |
|
Please contact Coleen Stein at 620.227.1538 or email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. |
|
The Four Periods of the RCIA Process |
|
Inquiry
- The first step of the RCIA journey of faith
-
Helps the inquirer to discover what it is he or she is seeking
-
A time of sharing stories of Scripture
-
A time of sharing personal stories
-
A time of asking questions
-
A time of initial conversion
-
Creates a hunger for liturgy
-
Lasts as long as each individual inquirer needs - a period of no fixed duration
Catechumenate
- The second step of the RCIA journey of faith
- Begins with the Rite of Acceptance and concludes with the Rite of Election
- An extended period of formation in the Christian Life
- Presents Catholic teaching and enlightens faith
- Fosters participation in the Liturgy through dismissal
- Learn how to serve others
- A place of conversion
- Catechumens learn the Christian way of life from the Christian Community and their sponsor
Purification and Enlightenment
- The third step of the RCIA journey of faith
- Begins with the Rite of Election (first Sunday of Lent) and extends through the Lenten season.
- A period of intense spiritual preparation consisting more in interior reflection than in catechetical instruction
- Catechumens are now called the Elect
- Preparation of the Elect for the Easter Sacraments celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Three purifying rituals, known as the Scrutinies are celebrated on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent
- Invitation to the community for intense prayer
Mystagogy
- The fourth step of the RCIA journey of faith
- The fifty days between Easter and Pentecost
- The newly initiated are called Neophytes
- A deeper understanding of God's word, the sacraments, and the lived Christian life
- A time for unpacking and remembering
- Celebrate the fullness of the Liturgy with the Christian community
- Sent forth with the community to continue the mission of Christ
- A time to develop closer ties with the faithful
- A time to discern and recognized their gifts and their call to discipleship
- Final period of the Initiation process, which in reality continues for a lifetime
|