Adults – Want to be Catholic?

THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

The process by which an adult becomes a Catholic is known as THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS or RCIA. The process brings adults into a relationship with Jesus Christ and initiates them into the Catholic Faith Community. Initiation into the Catholic Faith Community is completed by being baptized, confirmed and receiving First Eucharist (Holy Communion).

The faith community here at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church welcomes and encourages the following to join RCIA:

• Those who want to know more about the Catholic Faith Community and RCIA so to make a decision about joining.
• Those who have never been baptized in any Christian denomination.
• Those who are baptized in another Christian denomination, but would like to join the Catholic Faith Community.
• Those who are already baptized in the Catholic Church, but have never received the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or First Eucharist.

The process is different for each individual. It is not a program or class to be completed necessarily by a set time. Individuals gather weekly with the RCIA Team to form a small faith community: to pray over the Sunday Scriptures, reflect on their lives, grow in relationship with God and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ; as well as learn about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Faith Community.

There are Rites (rituals) which mark the stages of the process or faith journey. For those unbaptized, the Easter Vigil is the night when they receive the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist). Candidates baptized in another Christian denomination are fully initiated at a Sunday Mass.

If you would like to join the RCIA or ask questions about the process, please contact the Parish Office at (626) 792-1343