How to Explore Catholicism: A Guide
Exploring faith is a journeyThe 1st StepThe 2nd StepThe 3rd StepThe 4th StepHow to Use This Site for Exploring the Catholic Faith
Exploring Catholicism is designed to follow the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults as prescribed by the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or RCIA is an exploration of the Catholic faith. For some the purpose of this journey is to simply learn more about the faith itself. For others, it is a process of preparing to become Catholic. For both it is an introduction into not only the fundamental beliefs of the faith and its moral structures, but also an invitation to put those principles into practice in daily life.
Whether you have begun reading the topics posted here out of curiosity or serious intent, it is structured in such a way as to provide basic information about the faith, give suggestions for further reading by topic, supply weekly exercises to allow contemplation on the principles covered, and pair each topic with the daily faith practices which utilize them as a weekly activity. It is also recommended that you keep a notebook set aside for noting down personal prayer intentions, journaling, jotting down questions that arise during the journey, and helpful insights form the weekly discussions, for those who choose to participate.
The topics are laid out in a weekly structure designed to cover a 24 week period. Each week begins with a short reflection and prayer intentions for the week. People are encouraged to pray the weekly intentions every day of that week. This is followed by 5 separate activities. Three sets of readings around a theological concept, one journaling assignment for personal reflection, and one activity designed to introduce you to some practice or tradition in the daily lives of the faithful.
The topics build on one another from week to week in order to build the faith up from first principles, so that it is easy to understand how different aspects of the faith connect to each other and build to a well reasoned and consistent world view. Hopefully, this will allow each inquirer to have a spiritual, intellectual, and emotional experience with the faith on their journey.
Our journey will take place in three phases:
Inquiry: The Creed, the fundamentals of our faith
Preparation: Catholic morality: the effects of our faith
Mystagogy: Faith in practice: the practical steps to a life long faith
The Stages of the RCIA Journey
Period of Inquiry
This is a time for asking questions. Many of you have already started asking question about Catholicism or you would not be reading this guide. Keep in mind there is no rush to ending this period of inquiry. Some people come to RCIA already to convert while others may take years making the decision. Either way we are happy to have you.
Rite of Acceptance into The Order of Catechumens and the Period of the Catechumenate
Some of the inquiries become firm in their desire for initiation and decide that they would like to begin more formal study of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. They are admitted into the next step through a special ceremony called the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. In this ritual the Church symbolically claims these men and women for Christ by signing them with the cross.
This is the first time that the inquirers publicly declare their faith before the community. Because no one likes to do something like that on his/her own, each inquirer is accompanied by a sponsor. Sponsors may be chosen by the individual or provided by the community. Sponsors provide support and companionship for the rest of the RCIA process.
After this rite, the inquirers are called catechumens. This name indicates that they are learning the teachings of the Church and beginning to accept Catholic tradition and practices.
Even though they are not yet permitted to receive the sacraments, the catechumens do enjoy other important rights. They have a right to assistance as they grow in faith by learning about the teachings of the Church and participating in works of service in the community. They also have a right to be married in the Church and to receive Christian burial.
Rite of Election and the Period of Purification and Enlightenment
The period of the catechumenate ends when the catechumens discern, with the help of their sponsors and the RCIA team, that God is calling them to receive the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist) at the next Easter Vigil. Before they can be initiated, they must be officially called to the sacraments by the bishop or someone designated by him. This Rite of Election is celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent.
The Rite of Election marks the end of formal study of the teachings and practices of the Church. The catechumens are now called the elect. The weeks of Lent are a time of intense prayer as the elect prepare themselves to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord at Easter and to receive the sacraments of initiation.
On the Sundays of Lent, the elect are prayed for in a special way to help them prepare more fully for the sacraments. The sponsors continue to accompany the elect in church and support them in their Lenten preparations.
Initiation and Mystagogia
On Holy Saturday, the community assembles for the Easter Vigil. The Church has always recognized that in baptism, we die to sin in Christ's death so that we may rise to new life with him. The Easter Vigil is the primary celebration of the Lord's Resurrection and is, therefore, the most appropriate occasion for the elect to celebrate their Baptism, Confirmation and first Eucharist.
For the newly initiated, now called neophytes, the time between Easter and Pentecost is a special opportunity to reflect on the commitment which they have made to the Lord, to the Church and to the local Catholic community. This time of unfolding the meaning of the initiation sacraments is called mystagogia. The Sunday scripture readings, which explain the meaning of the resurrection and of baptism, have special meaning for these new Catholics.
The journey of faith lasts a lifetime. The weeks after Easter are a time for new Catholics to seek out their place in the community. Other community members can reach out to welcome them, helping them to get involved and feel at home.