There are five steps on the RCIA Journey. Each one concludes with a community ceremony (Rite) which acts as a starting point to the next stage. At each Rite the candidates affirm their intention to proceed to the next stage while the community commits to supporting them on their journey.
- Enquiry
- Candidates make initial enquiries about the Catholic faith in the company of like-minded people
- Community Ceremony: Rite of Acceptance
- Catechumenate: Formation in Christian Life
- A period of learning the teaching of Jesus through the Gospel and reflecting on how Catholics bear witness to their faith
- Community Ceremony: Rite of Election
- Preparation for Easter (Period of Purification and Enlightenment)
- This period coincides with Lent. It's a period of more intense preparation and prayer which culminates with the Sacraments of Initation at Easter (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion)
- Community Ceremony: Sacraments of Initiation
- Mystagogy: Deepening of Faith
- Having received the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil, the new Catholics reflect on the experience and the direction of their lives.
- Community Ceremony: Missioning Ceremony
- Lifelong Formation
- How to witness as a Catholic Christian
The journey doesn't end here. Being a Christian is a lifelong, transformative journey of faith!'
Interview: The 'Come and See' moment
Norm Currie was initiated into the Catholic Church at Easter 2011, having gone through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Below he talks about his "Come and See" experience - that moment when, after many years, he finally decided to take the great leap of faith and join the Catholic Church. In this brief interview, Norm shares his motivations, feelings and memories of his RCIA journey.