Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

"And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

For adults today, the Church, after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), has restored the order of the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher. This includes an initiation into the mystery of salvation, the practice of faith, hope, and love, and other virtues in a succession of liturgical rites.

Persons baptized into another Christian ecclesial communion and now seeking full communion with the Catholic Church are also welcomed to participate along with catechumens in the RCIA in the process of learning about the Catholic faith and being formed in that faith. They bring to the process of preparation their prior experience of Christian life and prayer. For a baptized Christian, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church involves reception of the Sacrament of Penance ("Confession") and then a Profession of Faith followed by the celebration of Confirmation and the Eucharist.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the RCIA at St. Bernadette's Parish, please contact Fr. Joseph Vu, Deacon David Powers, or Mr. Clem Gross at (703) 451-8576 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Resources

Interested in what the Catholic Church teaches? Read the official Catechism of the Catholic Church: @vatican.va | @usccb.org | @KofC.org | Buy It

Read the article, "How to Become Catholic," from the website of the apologetics apostolate Catholic Answers.

Read these Faith Tracts also from Catholic Answers.

More coming soon...