RCIA -- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Curious about the Catholic Church?
If you’re curious about the Catholic Church or interested in becoming Catholic, please contact a neighborhood Catholic Church or e-mail: Peg McEvoy, Associate Director for Evangelization and Family Catechesis
Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, OSB has promulgated Fullness of Truth: Doctrinal Guidelines for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. These guidelines provide clarity regarding doctrinal elements necessary for appropriate formation of adults preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation and include use of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
Founded in 1998 by a group of bishops, priests, and laity, the Association for Catechumenal Ministry (ACM) seeks to foster the full implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation by providing a communications, resources, and education network for diocesan and parish personnel involved in the work of the catechumenate. The Association’s resources and work reflect its focus on the complimentarity and indispensability of the various components (liturgical, catechetical, and pastoral) of a comprehensive Christian initiation process.
The North American Forum on the Catechumenate’s Pastoral Training Institutes provide ministers—volunteer and paid, full and part-time, lay and clergy - with deeper understanding of the vision of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the fundamental and advanced skills to implement all aspects of the Rite and its implications for reconciliation. Institute leaders are among North America’s most experienced pastoral ministers, liturgists, catechists, and theologians.
What should I expect if I participate in the RCIA?
All of the basic preparation for joining the Church is done through the local parish, and often it is helpful to join a parish close to your home. In each parish there will be a person, either volunteer or staff, who helps with the process for adults joining the Church. The process is called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Every priest in a given parish is familiar with the process and most are very involved. It is common for a priest or other staff member in a parish to meet with someone who is interested in becoming Catholic and discerning the next step from there.
Typically the process begins with a period of inquiry followed by a period of faith formation. The inquiry phase provides the opportunity to ask questions and get some basic information. If someone decides to continue in the process, he or she enters the faith formation phase. For someone who is not Christian, he or she is considered a Catechumen during this phase. A Christian wanting to join the Catholic Church is considered a candidate for full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. If you are unsure which parish is near you or would like to find information about a specific parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, you may search for on-line HERE.
Frequently asked questions for those involved in RCIA ministry
The Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has compiled a "Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)" which has answers to questions about the lencth of the Catechumenate period and specifics about the celebration of the Sacraments. If you have other questions or need clarification, feel free to contact your local parish, the Office of Worship (CONTACT US) or Peg McEvoy, Associate Director for Evangelization and Family Catechesis by EMAIL or phone at (317)236-1430 or toll-free at (800)382-9836 ext 1430.