RCIA: “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults” begins Aug. 21st

On Wednesday, August 21, 2019, the process of Inquiry begins. If you, or
someone you know is interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or has been baptized but not received their other sacraments, this is the program for them.

Inquiry is the period to learn more about the Catholic Faith in a comfortable and noncommittal environment. The team of Parishioners look forward to walking with you in this journey of faith.

These sessions will be held Wednesday evenings for 7 pm to 8:30 pm in the Parish Center Gabriel Room. RCIA Interest Forms can be found in the Vestibule (entrance of the church).

If you would like more information please contact Karen Glen at (925) 228-2230 ext. 4

PREPARATION FOR THE UNBAPTIZED:

Preparation for reception into the Church begins with the inquiry stage, in which the unbaptized person begins to learn about the Catholic faith and decide whether to embrace it. The first formal step to Catholicism begins with the rite of reception into the order of catechumens, in which the unbaptized express their desire and intention to become Christians. Catechumen is a term the early Christians used to refer to those preparing to be baptized and become Christians. The period of the catechumenate varies depending on how much the catechumen has learned and how ready he feels to take the step of becoming a Christian. The catechumenate also is intended to give the catechumens the opportunity to reflect upon and become firm in their desire to become Catholic. The second formal step is taken with the rite of election, in which the catechumens’ names are written in a book of those who will receive the sacraments of initiation. At the rite of election, the catechumen again expresses the desire and intention to become a Christian, and the Church judges that the catechumen is ready to take this step. Normally, the rite of election occurs on the first Sunday of Lent, the forty-day period of preparation for Easter. After the rite of election, the candidates undergo a period of more intense reflection, purification, and enlightenment, in which they deepen their commitment to repentance and conversion. During this period the catechumens, now known as the elect, participate in several further rituals. The three chief rituals, known as scrutinies, are normally celebrated at Mass on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. The scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance. The final state of Christian initiation is known as mystagogy, in which the new Christians are strengthened in the faith by further instruction and become more deeply rooted in the local Catholic community. The period of mystagogy normally lasts throughout the Easter season (the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday). For the first year of their life as Christians, those who have been received are known as neophytes or “new Christians.”