Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Register for RCIA by calling the Parish
Office at 218-822-4040!
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you…”
Different people inquire about the Catholic Church
for different reasons. It may begin when one wonders about God, or
hears something about the Catholic Church and wants answers. It could
begin after seeing the way some dedicated Catholic strive to live out
the faith. It could begin when a person has been married to his/her
spouse for some period of time and wants to know more about the Catholic
Faith. At any rate, the search for a deeper knowledge of God begins in
different ways for different people.
It is important to know that God calls each us to
Himself in different ways, and it is the thought of the Church, as
expressed in the liturgical rites (ceremonial aspects) that we do not
become a Catholic-Christian because of our beliefs. Rather, our
entrance into the Catholic Church is our response to a call from God,
which is so much more profound, so much greater, than any choice I could
make!
After this initial wonder, one often begins to
desire a deeper relationship with our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth
and the Life (John 14:6). Often, a person will have more questions
about the Catholic Church, wants to find the answers and enters into the
inquiry classes that accompany the Rite of Christian Initiation for
Adults.
Prayer, reflection, individual study and
participation in the life of the church are all involved in the Rite.
Thus, this is not only a time to gain knowledge about the teachings of
the Catholic Church, but also a time for personal conversion (which we
all need in some form!)
The process culminates with the Rites of the
Church, which often take place during the season of Lent. Those who
seek to embrace their calling to follow Christ more deeply as a Catholic
are accepted to the status of Elect through a ceremony with the bishop.
The rites continue (usually at parish Masses) through Lent and culminate
with reception into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Those who have not been baptized will be baptized,
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and will receive their first Holy
Communion. They will enter the waters of baptism and come forth as a
new creation. Those who have been baptized in non-Catholic Christian
traditions will be Confirmed, and will receive their first Communion.
Sometimes a Catholic who has fallen away from the Church, and has
formally renounced the Church. This is truly a time for the entire
Church to rejoice.
FAQ
If I attend the inquiry classes, will I be
pressured into entering the Catholic Church?
No. The purpose of the classes is to relay the
teachings of the Catholic Church and help inquirers to discern whether
they are to enter the Church, not to ‘recruit’ new members. We
intentionally do not put pressure on those attending the classes to
join.
Why are all these ceremonies and rites so
public? After all, isn’t religion a private matter?
While the decision to enter the Catholic Church is
one that is, by its nature, deeply personal. However, it is, at the
same time, a very public decision. Contrary to the western way of
thinking, Christianity is a deeply communal religion, thus the rites are
public. For a Christian, Faith is always lived in the context of the
community, not as a group of isolated individuals who choose to come
together for a common purpose. Through baptism, we are united to one
another through our relationship with Christ, and as such, our religious
practices tend to be public.
Why does it take so long to enter fully into
the Catholic Church?
Any time we face a major decision, it is necessary
to take the time to examine the possibilities. We, as Catholic, do not
want you to rush into something that you wouldn’t be fully committed
to. Thus, not all who go through a full year of classes enter into the
Church after one year.
If I’ve been divorced, can I enter the
Catholic Church?
This can be a very touchy topic, since the Catholic
Church takes very seriously the teachings of Christ. For those who have
been divorced, there is nothing keeping you from the Church. For those
who are divorced and remarried, things can be a little more involved.
It would be necessary to ‘regularize’ your current marriage. It may
involve seeking an annulment for a previous marriage, or it may be much
simpler. At any rate, if this is the situation, please call the parish
office (218) 822-4040 and ask to speak with one of the priests.
Essentially, we want to be of assistance to you in whatever way we can
in order to help you find happiness which comes from God alone.
What if I have a question that wasn’t in this
website?
Call or email the office or one of the priests.
Updated:
09/20/2010
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