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St. Vincent de Paul |
| 18 Pleasant St. |
| Baldwinville, MA |
| (978) 939-8851 |
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults |
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If you are interested in the
process leading to membership in the Catholic Church, please contact Mrs.
Susan Turcotte, R.C.I.A. Coordinator. (978) 939-8969 |
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| Sacraments of Initiation: |
| In the early
Church, baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist were considered as one ritual
when new members came into the Church. When infant baptism became
common in the Western Church, the sacraments of initiation became three
separate rites but remained as one ceremony in the Eastern rites.
Vatican II revised the Rite of the Sacraments of Initiation so the
baptism-confirmation-Eucharist link is reestablished. This change is
most evident when adults who have gone through the RCIA become Catholics
and receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. |
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| The RCIA process: |
| The RCIA is a
gradual process that embodies the elements of a growing
relationship. Through four specific phases, the inquirers move from
casual acquaintance to full commitment. |
 | Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate.
This is the time of getting acquainted. Those contemplating the
Catholic faith - called inquirers - joining with Catholics in informal
discussions, ask questions, get ride of stereotyped ideas, undo fears
or anxieties, and share their personal faith stories |
| Period of Catechumenate. After the
inquirers have decided to become Catholic, the Rite of Acceptance Into
the Order of Catechumens is celebrated. During this time, the
catechumens enter more deeply into the formation in faith. This
period may last from several months to several years.
Catechumens attend the Liturgy of the Word and participate more fully
in the Church's liturgical life. They receive a sponsor who
walks the journey of faith with them in a one-on-one relationship in
which they feel free to ask questions and share their faith journey |
| Period of Purification and Enlightenment. This
state of deeper commitment ordinarily begins on the First Sunday of
Lent and is celebrated in a solemn rite at the cathedral of the
diocese. The catechumens write their names in the book of the
elect. The Lenten liturgies center on forgiveness, and the elect
express their readiness through the scrutinies. The catechumens'
example serves as a reminder of our constant need for purification and
spiritual renewal. The climax of the catechumenate, the most
solemn celebration of the Church year, takes place at the Easter
Vigil on Holy Saturday evening. the sacraments of initiation -
baptism, confirmation, Eucharist are bestowed, and the new,
full-fledged Catholics are now called neophytes. |
| Period of Mystagogy. A post-Easter period of
continued instruction and formation integrates the neophyte more fully
into the community of faith. Mystagogia is a Greek word
meaning "being initiated into mystery." the new
Catholics are introduced into a greater explanation of the faith and
of the various ministries in the parish. |
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| If you are interested in the
process leading to membership in the Catholic Church, please contact Mrs.
Susan Turcotte, R.C.I.A. Coordinator. (978) 939-8969 |
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