On April 19, our elect who are going through RCIA now will receive the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil. What  exactly is RCIA? The paragraph 1229 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that:

From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is comprised of four distinct periods or stages: the periods of Precatechumenate, of Catechumenate, of Purification and Enlightenment, and of Post Baptismal Catechesis also called Mystagogy. Each stage has its own rites and characteristics. 

The catechumenal process starts with the period of Precatechumenate also known as a period of Evangelization and Inquiry. It usually lasts a couple of months. The participants who take part in this first stage are called the “inquirers.” St. Paul says that “faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”( Rom. 10:17) The period of Precatechumenate is “a time for hearing the first preaching of the Gospel.”( The Rites of the Catholic Church, 22) The Triune God is proclaimed with the goal of achieving the initial conversion of the inquirer, and instigate in him/her the desire of following Christ.  This period is suitable to introduce the inquirer to prayer, the Mass, the Bible and Divine Revelation, etc. The period of Precatechumenate also gives the opportunity to the Church to address initial questions or concerns the inquirer may have. At the end of this period, the inquirer makes known his/her intention to the Church community through the Rite of Acceptance. Thus, this period ends with entrance into the order of Catechumens. 

The second stage is the period of the Catechumenate. It can last for several years or just a few months. The Catechumens are set aside for a comprehensive catechesis on the teaching of the Church, and more specifically on faith, liturgy and sacraments, the moral life, and prayer. The Catechumens “are nourished by the Church on the word of God and helped by liturgical celebrations.” (The Rites, 24) The local Church community prays for the Catechumens asking God to shower His grace abundantly upon them. This period ends on the day of election. Prior to the Rite of Election, a certain conversion of the Catechumen needs to take place, in addition the Catechumen needs to exhibit a sufficient knowledge of the Church’s teaching, and a “sense of faith and charity.” (The Rites, 27)   During the Rite of Election, usually on the first Sunday of Lent, the names of Catechumens seeking baptism are enrolled in the book of the elects. After the Rite of Election is celebrated, the Catechumens are now called the “elects.”

The stages of Purification and Enlightenment, and of Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy will be discussed next week..

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Robain