“There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” Ephesians 4:5

How do I become a Catholic? | What is the RCIA? | Upcoming Events | Resources

The Office for Formation of the Laity serves the parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by supporting the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ( R.C.I.A. ).

• Provides consultation to pastors and coordinators through parish visits, phone conversations and email
• Coordinates the Rite of Election in collaboration with the Offices for Worship and Catechetical Formation
• Sponsors Lenten Retreats for the Elect and Candidates
• Offers orientation, workshops and resources for R.C.I.A. and Pre-Jordan coordinators and teams

For further information contact Ann Menna, Coordinator at 215-587-5630.

How Can I Become a Catholic?

Life is a journey that continually searches for meaning. The human heart hungers for relationships that nurture one’s maturity and ability to love and to be loved. Often as one seeks to fulfill these very human yearnings, the realization that something is missing from life is made. As one reflects upon this void, it is not unusual to discover that this something is God. This awakening may lead to a turning point in one’s life to commit to a relationship with God and seek out a worshipping community to guide one’s journey in faith. Many will ask the question: How can I become a Catholic?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the normal way for unbaptized persons and those who have been baptized in another Christian tradition to become a Catholic.

To find out more information about the R.C.I.A. contact Ann Menna, Coordinator at 215-215-587-5630.

What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the order for initiation into the Catholic Church.

For the Unbaptized, the R.C.I.A. gradually uncovers the story of God’s salvation for all; the mystery of Jesus’s life, death and resurrection; and the workings of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the beliefs, sacramental life and spiritual practices of the Catholic Church. Within the setting of a parish community and in accordance with the Church’s liturgical year, “this process of formation includes four stages as well as rituals which mark these stages” (National Directory for Catechesis, 35).

For Baptized Christians who seek full communion with the Catholic Church, the R.C.I.A. includes rites and pastoral practice. (R.C.I.A. Part II: sections 4 and 5).

For Baptized Catholics who have received no other faith formation and have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, the R.C.I.A. mentions pastoral practices to become a fully initiated Catholic (R.C.I.A. 400-415).

The following outlines the periods (stages) and steps (rituals) for the order of Christian Initiation of Unbaptized Adults.

Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
This is a time of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.

            First Step: The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on some annual date or dates, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ.

Period of the Catechumenate
This is the time, in duration corresponding to the progress of the individual, for the nurturing and growth of the catechumens' faith and conversion to God; celebration of the word and prayers of exorcism and blessing are meant to assist the process.

            Second Step: Election Or Enrollment Of Names
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens' readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments.

Period Of Purification and Enlightenment
This is the time, immediately preceding the elects' initiation, usually the Lenten season preceding the celebration of this initiation at the Easter Vigil; it is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and presentations and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

            Third Step: Celebration Of The Sacraments Of Initiation
This is the liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter Vigil, by which the elect are initiated through baptism, confirmation, and the eucharist.

Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystogogy
This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration of the initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday eucharistic celebration.
For more information contact Ann Menna, Coordinator, Office for Formation of the Laity, at 215-587-5630.

 

Upcoming Events

Date: Thursday, August 23, 2007 (7:00-9:30PM)
Event: R.C.I.A. Orientation Workshop
Presenter: Reverend Daniel E. Mackle, Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Philadelphia
Place: Archdiocesan Office Center, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This Workshop gives a general overview of the liturgical, theological and pastoral implications of the order of Christian Initiation of Adults for parish coordinators and team members with little or no experience with the RCIA. The practical aspects of the RCIA in a parish setting will also be explored. Come with your Ritual Text, questions and concerns! (Parking is available in the AOC parking lot.)

Date: Thursday, August 25, 2007 (9:00-11:30AM)
Event: R.C.I.A. Regional Meeting
Title: The Catechumenate and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Presenter: Reverend Daniel E. Mackle, Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Philadelphia
Place: Archdiocesan Office Center Auditorium, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Date: Thursday, September 6, 2007 (7-9:30PM)
Event: R.C.I.A. Regional Meeting
Title: The Catechumenate and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Presenter: Reverend Daniel E. Mackle, Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Philadelphia
Place: Ss. Simon and Jude Parish, West Chester

Date: Tuesday, September 11 , 2007 (10AM-12:30PM)
Event: R.C.I.A. Regional Meeting
Title: The Catechumenate and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Presenter: Reverend Daniel E. Mackle, Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Philadelphia
Place: St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Auditorium, Rosemont
(N.B.: approximately one mile east of Villanova University on Lancaster Ave.)

Date: Wednesday, September 19 , 2007 (7-9:30PM )
Event: R.C.I.A. Regional Meeting
Title: The Catechumenate and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Presenter: Reverend Daniel E. Mackle, Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Philadelphia
Place: St. Alphonsus (Narthex), Maple Glen

Date: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Event: The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be celebrated by Cardinal Rigali at 6:30PM for Bucks County and Montgomery County Vicariates. For more information, call the Office for Formation of the Laity, 215-587-5630.

Date: Sunday, February 10, 2008/2:30PM
Event: The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be celebrated by Cardinal Rigali at 2:30PM PM for Delaware County and Philadelphia South Vicariates. For more information, call the Office for Formation of the Laity, 215-587-5630.

Date: Sunday, February 10, 2008/6:30PM
Event: The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be celebrated by Cardinal Rigali at 6:30PM for Chester County and Philadelphia North Vicariates. For more information, call the Office for Formation of the Laity, 215-587-5630.

Date: Sunday February 24, 2008 (2-5PM)
Event: R.C.I.A. Lenten Retreat
Title: The Catechumenate and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Place: Holy Redeemer Provincialate, Huntingdon Valley
Presenter: Father David Engo, O.F.M. Cap. (English)
Presenter: Father Moises Villate, O.F.M. Cap. (Spanish)

This Lenten retreat for the Elect, Candidates, Godparents, Sponsors and Parishioners is sponsored by the Office for Formation of the Laity. Cost is $15/person. For more information, call the Office for Formation of the Laity
at 215-587-5630.

Resources

† The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Ritual Text), Liturgy Training Publications www.ltp.org

† Journey to Fullness of Life (Report on the implementation of the RCIA in the US) www.usccb.org

† Journey of Faith (weekly publication) Ligouri Publications: www.liguori.org

† Sunday by Sunday (weekly publication)Sisters of Saint Joseph, Carondelet,
800-232-553

† Bringing Home the Word (a weekly publication) St. Anthony Messenger www.americancatholic.org

† Catholic Update (newsletter) St. Anthony Messenger: www.americancatholic.org

† Invitation: The Search for God, Self and Church by Rev. Alfred McBride, O.Praem, Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association, www.pncea.org

† Catechumenate: A Journal of Christian Initiation (periodical- six times per year)Liturgical Training Publications: www.ltp.org

† Word & Worship Workbook for Year A (for Ministry in Initiation, Preaching, Religious Education and Formation) by Mary Birmingham, Paulist Press www.paulistpress.com

† Word & Worship Workbook for Year B (for Ministry in Initiation, Preaching, Religious Education and Formation) by Mary Birmingham, Paulist Press www.paulistpress.com

† Word & Worship Workbook for Year C (for Ministry in Initiation, Preaching, Religious Education and Formation) by Mary Birmingham, Paulist Press www.paulistpress.com

† The RCIA: Transforming the Church (revised and updated edition) by Thomas H. Morris, Paulist Press: www.paulistpress.com

† The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: A Pastoral Liturgical Commentary (revised and updated edition) by J. Michael McMahon, Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions www.fdlc.org

† Foundations in Faith (text book series) Resources for Christian Living: www.rclweb.com

† Come to the Water: the Adult Journey to Baptism ( DVD), United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.usccb.org

Links on the Web

† Archdiocesan Parishes by zip code: www.masstimes.org

† United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: www.usccb.org
Online Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church

† North American Forum on the Catechumenate: www.naforum.org

† Articles by Reverend Paul Turner: www.paulturner.org

† Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions: www.fdlc.org