Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): The Catholic Church welcomes new members through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Do you know someone who would like to be Catholic?
Are you an adult Catholic who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or just wants to learn more about your faith?
This class is open to those who would like to further study their faith, as well as those wishing to receive Sacraments. Some of the topics to be discussed are: God's love; developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; salvation; scripture; liturgical year; new life in the Holy Spirit; and a look at the seven Sacraments. Classes are held every other Tuesday evening, 7:30pm - 9:00 pm, in the Charlie Kiger Conference Room, beginning in September thru Easter. To obtain a registration form or for more information, please call our Religious Education Office 609-597-7600
Interested in Learning More About the Catholic Church?
Welcome! This page explains the process by which one can - through their local Catholic church - learn more about the faith. We hope this information is helpful to you!
The process by which adults come into the Church has come to be known as "the RICA", which is short for 'The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Who is the process for?
The unbaptized. The primary focus of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is on those who are not already Christian and have not been catechized.
Baptized but uncatechized. Those who have been baptized either as Roman Catholics or as members of another Christian community but did not receiver further catechetical formation or instruction. These typically have also not celebrated confirmation nor Eucharist.
Those seeking full Catholic Communion. These are baptized, practicing Christians for other denominations who seek entry into the Catholic Church.
In the case of children who have reached the age of reason, the proper pastor should be consulted for information about Baptism and the other Sacraments of Initiation.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is not for adult candidates for confirmation who have already received their First Eucharist in the Catholic Church. They should have their own formation process and be confirmed at a celebration other than the Easter Vigil.
What does this process look like?
The Rite of Christian Initiation is based on the principle that the process of conversation proceeds gradually, in stages. Progress from one stage to the next is marked by a liturgical celebration in the midst of the parish community. The experience and needs of those in each category described above differ, and so the length of time may vary for each person. Nevertheless, there are certain similarities among all the groups and the process they will experience, and these can be listed as follows:
Precatechumenate
This first stage is called the period of inquiry (or the precatechumenate). This is when the individual first expresses an interest in becoming a Christian or a Catholic, and begins to explore, with the help of the parish community, what his or her relationship with Christ might be and how that might be enriched and deepened by joining this Christian community. There is no liturgical rite to mark the beginning of this stage. This period of inquiry may last several months or several years and ends when the inquirer decides against continuing in this direction or when the inquirer feels ready to move on and the community is prepared to welcome him or her.