First Step -- Period of Inquiry
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 co-worker, 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.
Second Step -- Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Period of the
Catechumenate
Some of the inquirers become firm in their desire for initiation and decide that they would like to
begin more formal study of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. They are admitted
into the next step through a special ceremony called the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens. In this ritual the Church symbolically claims these men and women for Christ by
signing them with the cross.
This is the first time that the inquirers publicly declare their faith before the parish community.
Because no one likes to do something like this on their own, each inquirer is accompanied by a
sponsor. Sponsors may be chosen by the individual or provided by the parish. Sponsors provide
support and companionship for the rest of the R.C.I.A. process.
After this rite, the inquirers are called catechumens. This name indicates that they are learning
the teachings of the Church and beginning to accept Catholic tradition and practices.
Even though they are not yet permitted to receive the sacraments, the catechumens do enjoy
other important rights. They have a right to assistance as they grow in faith by learning about the
teachings of the Church and participating in works of service in the parish. They also have a right to
be married in the Church and to receive Christian burial.
The time spent as a catechumen will vary from person to person. The bishops of the United States
have suggested that this catechumenate period is to last for at least one year.
Third Step -- Rite of Election and the Period of 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 the first Eucharist) at the 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.
Fourth Step -- Initiation and Mystagogia
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.
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