RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

   RCIA is for adults who have never been baptized, adults who are baptized in another Christian denomination and are seeking to join the Catholic Church, adults who are baptized Catholic and who are interested in completing their sacraments of initiation (first Eucharist and/or confirmation).
   The RCIA gives participants an experience of Catholic community through educational, social, and spiritual gatherings.
   The RCIA consists of four periods.
   The first is the Inquiry Period, which focuses on the questions of the participants, general characteristics of Catholicism, and on details regarding the RCIA to help participants decide if the RCIA is for them at this particular time in their lives. The first period is very informal, and no commitment is necessary to be in the Inquiry Group.
   The second period is the Catechumenate Period and focuses on giving to the RCIA participants an adult level presentation on foundational topics of Catholicism, such as God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the sacraments, scripture, Mary and the saints, Social Justice, Church, morality, and Catholic customs.
   The period of Purification and Enlightenment is the third period of the RCIA and coincides with Lent. This is a time of prayer and features an overview of different ways of praying in the Catholic tradition.
   During the second and third periods, there are scripture reflection times based on the Sunday readings and others.
   The RCIA culminates at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, when Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Communions are celebrated.
   The fourth period is called Mystagogia. It is a time to reflect on the experience of the Easter Vigil, the sacraments received, and how one is going to continue his or her faith journey after the RCIA.
   Periodically there are simple Rites that celebrate the movement of participants from one period to the next. These Rites allow those in the RCIA to experience the love of God through our Parish Family's support and prayer. They all take place at regular weekend Masses.
      The sponsor is a very important part of the RCIA. The sponsor is a confirmed, actively practicing Catholic who supports a person in the RCIA, mainly by their presence at RCIA sessions and rites. The sponsor can also help introduce the RCIA participant to other parishioners and to various aspects of parish life that the sponsor may be involved in. The sponsor prays for the person they are sponsoring.   The sponsor does not need to be a walking encyclopedia of Catholicism but should be able to share about their own faith experiences.
   A guest speaker shares his or her expertise on some aspect of the Catholic faith or shares faith experiences.
   A hospitality person helps with the reception held in conjunction with the Rite of Election and/or Easter Vigil.
   Contact Paula at Ext. 23 for more information.

2420 St. Albert Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Phone 608-837-3798   Fax 608-837-8576

For additions / deletions / changes to this website, e-mail paul@saintalberts.org