Welcome to the
Catholic Community of
St. Peter and St. Paul
9135 Banyan St | Alta Loma, Ca 91737
Phone: 909.987.9312 Fax: 909.980.9404
The RCIA Process at St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Church
Conversion: a Journey of Mind, Heart and Spirit
Preparation: Awakening, Growth and Formation
Purification and Enlightenment
The RCIA Process at St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Church
"RCIA" is an acronym for the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults". This document was a product of Vatican II Ecumenical Council. The Church gives us this process so that adults, teens and children over the age of seven, can become fully initiated into the Catholic community. The RCIA is a process where they are guided and nurtured in the faith and are gradually introduced to the Catholic way of life.
The RCIA process is a series of carefully planned stages, marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community. These rites enable all of us to join a potential new Catholic in journeying towards a continuing and deepening conversion of faith and discipleship. The process takes the distinctive spiritual needs of each person into account, and recognizing the difference between the baptized and the unbaptized, the catechized and the uncatechized. The needs of mature, practicing Christians from other faith traditions are also considered on an individual basis.
The RCIA draws its model from the "catechumenate" of the ancient Church. Becoming Christian in the early days of the Church involved a sharp break with the surrounding culture. New Christians entered into the joy of new way of life and a life-sharing community of faith. This way of life sometimes demanded deep commitment and sometimes-great risks. In the modern world, our faith also demands deep commitment -- our beliefs and the beliefs of our society are often in tension. After Vatican II, the Church revived the catechumenate -- embodied in the Christian Initiation Process because new believers in the modern world need careful preparation and loving support as they enter into the mysteries of Christ and the commitment of Christian living.
Conversion: a Journey of Mind, Heart and Spirit
Awakening to Christ and seeking out the Church through the RCIA process comes about in a variety of ways. The first step for some is a sense that "something is missing" … a sense, perhaps provoked by some crisis, that there is more to life or there is a better way to live life. For many of the inquirers, the journey begins because of a relationship with a Catholic close friend, or a spouse. Still others are drawn by seeing the example of a Catholic life well lived by a co-worker, classmate or acquaintance. Others are drawn by exposure to a Catholic writer like St. Augustine, Thomas Merton or Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Whatever the reason for the awakening and decision to seek a new way of life, the RCIA process is the first step on a lifelong journey of intellectual, emotional and spiritual conversion.
In the experience of Metanoia (Greek for turning away from or changing direction), it can be noted that "conversion" is the process of "turning over one's life and energies to God." Conversion is an ongoing, lifelong process of personal spiritual growth as well as a social process in which we strengthen and draw strength from others in the community. The RCIA recognizes both the catechetical and communal nature of conversion, providing an intellectual and spiritual framework and a faith community in which an individual's conversion experience can be understood and supported. Caring for people in the midst of this life-changing experience is the goal of the RCIA ministry.
Preparation: Awakening, Growth and Formation
The full RCIA process consists of four periods of awakening, growth and formation. These periods are marked by celebration of three major rites involving the entire St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic community.
During the first period of the journey, the Inquiry period, seekers ask hard questions about Christianity and receive truthful, life-sharing answers from team members and other Catholics. The informal discussions during the inquiry period help the seekers link their personal life stories to the Good News as witnessed and lived by the Roman Catholic community. Questions about the teachings and doctrines of the Church are also discussed answering the many questions that come to mind.
As each inquirer desires to continue the conversion journey within our faith community, he/she is invited to experience the first major rite of the RCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance (for the unbaptized) and The Rite of Welcoming (for those baptized in another Christian faith). Three times each year at Sunday Mass, inquirers have an opportunity to enter the second period of the journey, the catechumenate, by being marked with the sign of the cross on the forehead, ears, eyes, lips, heart, shoulders, hands and feet -- a symbol of both the joys and the costs of Christian discipleship. They are formally accepted and welcomed into the Catholic community and are embraced and supported by the entire parish family.
The word Catechumenate means "time of serious study" and inquirers who become catechumens -- those who have not been baptized -- or candidates -- baptized Christians who have not been confirmed as Roman Catholics -- join us at Sunday Mass for the Liturgy of the Word. After the homily, they dismiss to the parish hall to continue reflecting on the Scriptures with their catechist. Taking the Sunday experience with them, they return on Tuesday evening to continue with sharing and learning about their new faith. The length of the catechumenate varies according to each individual need. The norm is a minimum of one year. In some cases, due to impediments, it could take longer.
Our Catechumens and Candidates do not travel alone during this period. Sponsors and Godparents are chosen from the parish community to act as spiritual companions, providing personal support, sharing their experiences of Christian life and helping make the catechumens and candidates feel "at home" with Catholic religious practice. There are minor rites along the way that help to give them strength and courage as they journey forward in faith.
The Catechumenate period ends when the catechumen or candidate is ready to begin the third period of the journey. This is the period of purification and enlightenment, which coincides with Lent each year. On the first Sunday of Lent, catechumens travel to St. Paul The Apostle Church in Chino Hills, to be greeted by the bishop and celebrate the second major rite of the RCIA process, the Rite of Election. Baptized candidates at this time are recognized for their Call to Continuing Conversion.
Purification and Enlightenment
The period of purification and enlightenment is a time of final preparation for initiation. The period is one of prayer, fasting and reflection for both catechumens, now known as the Elect, and Candidates. During this period, the Elect celebrate the three scrutinies or exorcisms. These are special rites that help them to break away from evil in preparation for baptism.
The Candidates and the Elect become fully initiated through the third and consummating rite of the RCIA process, the Sacraments of Initiation, at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. On that night, when light drives out darkness, joyful sounds fill the silence, and we proclaim and renew our resurrection hope. The Elect culminate their long journey to initiation in the waters of Baptism …then, along with the candidates the newly baptized are sealed with the oil of Confirmation and share Holy Communion in the bread and wine of the Eucharist, The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. They are now full members of the Roman Catholic community.
The neophytes, as they are now called, begin to experience their initiation during the fourth period of the RCIA journey. The mystagogy period, which means "leading into initiation or a deeper look into the mysteries". The newly initiated continue to meet weekly between Easter and Pentecost to explore and confirm the Easter experience. From Pentecost until the following Easter, they may continue with intermittent gatherings. Mystagogy is the final stage of the RCIA process, but it is just the beginning of a lifelong journey towards the kingdom of God. All of us experience a continuing conversion of faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ.
Here at St. Peter & St. Paul, RCIA is a year round process. We meet every Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 9:30PM in the parish hall dining room. These sessions are exclusively for teens 13 to 17 years old and adults. For information on the Children’s process (ages7 to12) please call the parish office.
The RCIA team is here to assist you and help with any questions.
Adult Coordinators: Dan & Vicki Centurioni 909-987-7971
Teen & Children’s Coordinator: Chris Markford 909-987-9312 Ext 222