We Invite You to Become Catholic - RCIA
The Rite of Christian initiation of Adults, known most often as the R.I.C.A.. is the restoration of the ancient practice of initiating adults (18 years of age and older) into the Catholic Christian community. Christian Initiation is concerned with the fundamental values of the Christian way of life, thus the R.C.I.A., is actually a sacramental process, not a program. It is a journey of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual conversion. Along the way, R.C.I.A. team mentors and presenters, nurture this conversion process of those individuals seeking membership into the Catholic Church through their support and encouragement.
To begin the process of Inquiry at Holy Angels Parish, contact Deacon Vince Latini, Moderator of Adult Faith Formation at dvlatini@outlook.com or call 609-932-6170. RCIA lessons will begin on October 1st, 2017.
RCIA Formation Process is for:
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Unbaptized
The Rite of Christian initiation of Adults, known most often as the R.I.C.A.. is the restoration of the ancient practice of initiating adults (18 years of age and older) into the Catholic Christian community. Christian Initiation is concerned with the fundamental values of the Christian way of life, thus the R.C.I.A., is actually a sacramental process, not a program. It is a journey of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual conversion. Along the way, R.C.I.A. team mentors and presenters, nurture this conversion process of those individuals seeking membership into the Catholic Church through their support and encouragement. Baptized in Another Christian Church those catechized and uncatechized persons who are seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. They are considered candidates. If you were already baptized in another Christian tradition, the initiation process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist (or Holy Communion). Baptized but uncatechized Catholic Adults persons who were baptized as infants and not given any religious upbringing within the Catholic Tradition. These adults will be prepared to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. They are also considered candidates. |
Bishop Dennis Sullivan, joined by catechumens on the altar, conducts the Rite of the Election at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood on Feb. 14. The 142 individuals on the altar will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Photo by James A. McBride
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Rite of Christian Initiation
Precatechumenate
How someone comes to consider joining the Catholic Church is unique to each individual. Years of marriage to a Catholic spouse, conversations with a Catholic friend or coworker, or even something written or viewed in the media can move an adult toward membership in the Catholic Church. Informally, this can go on for years! At some point, the person may contact a Catholic parish and begin to meet with other adults who are also inquiring about the Catholic faith. These adults, with members of the R.C.I.A. team, will take time to tell their own stories and connect them with the faith stories found in scripture.
Catechumenate The second stage is called the catechumenate and, for the unbaptized listed above, who are now called “catechumens,” continues to the stage of Purification and Enlightenment. For the baptized but uncatechized (not yet educated in the faith), the period should be a similar length. “Candidates” for full communion may complete this stage in a shorter time frame. The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens (for catechumens) and the Rite of Welcoming (for candidates) mark the beginning of this stage.
Catechesis is based in Scripture and proclaimed in the midst of the worshiping community. This is also a time for the catechumen or candidate to learn how to live as a Catholic Christian through their faith journey and the support of their parish community. This period ends when the catechumens and candidates express their desire to receive the sacraments of initiation and the parish community acknowledges their readiness. The catechumen then becomes an “elect,” which is marked by the Rite of Election during the next stage
Purification and Enlightenment
The period of the catechumenate ends when the catechumens discern, with the help of their sponsors and the parish R.C.I,A. team, that God is calling them to receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist) at the next Easter Vigil. Before they can be initiated, they must be officially called to the sacraments by the bishop or someone designated by him.
This Rite of Election is often celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the diocesan cathedral. The Rite of Election marks the end of formal study of the teachings and practices of the Church. The catechumens are now called the elect. The weeks of Lent are a time of intense prayer as the elect prepare themselves to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord at Easter and to receive the sacraments of initiation.
On the Sundays of Lent, the elect are prayed for in a special way to help them prepare more fully for the sacraments. The sponsors continue to accompany the elect in church and support them in their Lenten preparations.
Initiation and Mystagogy
On Holy Saturday, the parish assembles for the Easter Vigil. The Church has always recognized that in baptism we die to sin in Christ’s death so that we may rise to new life with him. The Easter Vigil is the primary celebration of the Lord’s resurrection and is, therefore, the most appropriate occasion for the elect to celebrate their baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist. For the newly initiated, now called neophytes, the time between Easter and Pentecost is a special opportunity to reflect on the commitment which they have made to the Lord, to the Church, and to the local parish community. This time of unfolding the meaning of the initiation sacraments is called mystagogia.
The Sunday scripture readings, which explain the meaning of the resurrection and of baptism, have special meaning for these new Catholics. During this season the bishop may gather the neophytes for a special eucharistic celebration called the Mass of the Neophytes.
The journey of faith lasts a lifetime. The weeks after Easter are a time for new Catholics to seek out their place in the parish community. Other parishioners can reach out to welcome them, helping them to get involved and feel at home.
How someone comes to consider joining the Catholic Church is unique to each individual. Years of marriage to a Catholic spouse, conversations with a Catholic friend or coworker, or even something written or viewed in the media can move an adult toward membership in the Catholic Church. Informally, this can go on for years! At some point, the person may contact a Catholic parish and begin to meet with other adults who are also inquiring about the Catholic faith. These adults, with members of the R.C.I.A. team, will take time to tell their own stories and connect them with the faith stories found in scripture.
Catechumenate The second stage is called the catechumenate and, for the unbaptized listed above, who are now called “catechumens,” continues to the stage of Purification and Enlightenment. For the baptized but uncatechized (not yet educated in the faith), the period should be a similar length. “Candidates” for full communion may complete this stage in a shorter time frame. The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens (for catechumens) and the Rite of Welcoming (for candidates) mark the beginning of this stage.
Catechesis is based in Scripture and proclaimed in the midst of the worshiping community. This is also a time for the catechumen or candidate to learn how to live as a Catholic Christian through their faith journey and the support of their parish community. This period ends when the catechumens and candidates express their desire to receive the sacraments of initiation and the parish community acknowledges their readiness. The catechumen then becomes an “elect,” which is marked by the Rite of Election during the next stage
Purification and Enlightenment
The period of the catechumenate ends when the catechumens discern, with the help of their sponsors and the parish R.C.I,A. team, that God is calling them to receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist) at the next Easter Vigil. Before they can be initiated, they must be officially called to the sacraments by the bishop or someone designated by him.
This Rite of Election is often celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the diocesan cathedral. The Rite of Election marks the end of formal study of the teachings and practices of the Church. The catechumens are now called the elect. The weeks of Lent are a time of intense prayer as the elect prepare themselves to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord at Easter and to receive the sacraments of initiation.
On the Sundays of Lent, the elect are prayed for in a special way to help them prepare more fully for the sacraments. The sponsors continue to accompany the elect in church and support them in their Lenten preparations.
Initiation and Mystagogy
On Holy Saturday, the parish assembles for the Easter Vigil. The Church has always recognized that in baptism we die to sin in Christ’s death so that we may rise to new life with him. The Easter Vigil is the primary celebration of the Lord’s resurrection and is, therefore, the most appropriate occasion for the elect to celebrate their baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist. For the newly initiated, now called neophytes, the time between Easter and Pentecost is a special opportunity to reflect on the commitment which they have made to the Lord, to the Church, and to the local parish community. This time of unfolding the meaning of the initiation sacraments is called mystagogia.
The Sunday scripture readings, which explain the meaning of the resurrection and of baptism, have special meaning for these new Catholics. During this season the bishop may gather the neophytes for a special eucharistic celebration called the Mass of the Neophytes.
The journey of faith lasts a lifetime. The weeks after Easter are a time for new Catholics to seek out their place in the parish community. Other parishioners can reach out to welcome them, helping them to get involved and feel at home.
Q and A's
Q: What is the RCIA? |
Q: What is the Rite of Election? |
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A: The Rite of Christian initiation of Adults, known most often as the R.I.C.A.. is the restoration of the ancient practice of initiating adults (18 years of age and older) into the Catholic Christian community. Christian Initiation is concerned with the fundamental values of the Christian way of life, thus the R.C.I.A., is actually a sacramental process, not a program. It is a journey of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual conversion
The program is also the process by which Christians from another denomination enter into Full Communion with the Catholic Church through the same education and preparation, and then receiving their First Communion, and Confirmation. |
A: This Rite of Election is often celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the diocesan cathedral. The Rite of Election marks the end of formal study of the teachings and practices of the Church. The catechumens are now called the elect. The weeks of Lent are a time of intense prayer as the elect prepare themselves to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord at Easter and to receive the sacraments of initiation.
On the Sundays of Lent, the elect are prayed for in a special way to help them prepare more fully for the sacraments. The sponsors continue to accompany the elect in church and support them in their Lenten preparations. |
Q: I was baptized in a different (non-Catholic) church. Must I be re-baptized in order to join the Catholic Church? |
Q: Must I make a commitment to Catholicism to participate in this program? |
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A: No! There is only one Baptism. Candidates seeking full Communion within the Catholic Church will not be baptized again. They will simply make a Profession of Faith and receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
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A; No! We realize that many people are searching and need to know more about the Church before they make such a commitment. We also realize that Catholicism is not for everyone. We ask no firm commitment until the beginning of Lent.
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Q; How Do I join the RCIA?
To begin the process of Inquiry at Holy Angels Parish, contact Deacon Vince Latini, Moderator of Adult Faith Formation at dvlatini@outlook.com or call 609-932-6170. RCIA lessons will begin on October 1st, 2017.
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Parish Office
81 Cooper Street NEW Woodbury, NJ Phone 856-845-0123 Office Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm Monday-Friday Fax: 856-845-7409 Email: mail@holyangelsnj.org Click Here For Directions and Maps |
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