One of the great gifts of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s was a renewed process of forming and initiating adults called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Men and women involved in the RCIA today are "formed at the hands of the local community around the word of God, discerning and welcoming God's invitation to embrace life in the Catholic Christian community, and thus serving the mission of Jesus in the world today."

The RCIA restores for the modern world the process the ancient Church used in initiating members. Early Christians realized that initiation is a process that proceeds through certain stages and that necessarily involves the entire faith community. At St. Paul's, inquirers meet weekly for eight months with lay people and clergy who teach the faith, share their own experience of Christ in their lives, and accompany inquirers on their journey of faith. They also experience Scripture reflection on Sundays that opens them more fully to the powerful word of God.

RCIA is open to anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who genuinely seeks to explore the possibility of joining the Catholic Christian faith community.

Naturally, RCIA includes a substantial amount of instruction in the teachings of the Church. But first and foremost, RCIA is a process of conversion; it is about changing the heart and transforming the spirit. Along the way, inquirers participate in a number of ceremonies in which the Catholic community gradually affirms them for full membership. These ceremonies include the Rite of Acceptance/Welcoming and the Rite of Election (all described below). Initiation culminates at the Easter Vigil through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Catechumens & Candidates
Catechumens are unbaptized persons who desire to be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Candidates are those who have been baptized in the Christian faith and are seeking full communion in the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Evidence of valid baptism in a recognized Christian denomination (for example, by way of a certificate of baptism or letter of verification from one's pastor or church of baptism) is required of all candidates.

Sponsors
Each catechumen and candidate is assigned a sponsor. The sponsor must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church but does not need to be a parishioner of St. Paul's. Catechumens and candidates may request that a Catholic friend or co-worker be assigned as their sponsor, but it is preferred that spouses and close relatives not serve as sponsors.

The sponsors take an active role in the spiritual life of their catechumen or candidate and are vital to the RCIA.

Catechumens will also need to choose a godparent or godparents for baptism. Godparents must be fully initiated adult Catholics who will be good role models.

A Quick Look at the RCIA Year
From September to December is the Period of Inquiry, also called the Pre-catechumenate. During this time, participants reflect on their lives and the presence of God in them, and come to know Christ more deeply. The catechumenate, which lasts from December to the First Sunday of Lent, focuses primarily on the teachings of the Church. Scripture reflection encourages participants to "break open" the word of God and consider its meaning in their lives. The six weeks of Lent make up the period called Enlightenment. This is a time of more intense spiritual preparation for the liturgies of Holy Week, especially the Great Easter Vigil. The final period is Mystagogia, a time of reflecting deeply on the Easter mysteries and preparing for full discipleship in the Church.

Schedule of Meetings
Typically, meetings take place after 9 a.m. Mass each Sunday. Candidates and catechumens are normally expected to attend 9 a.m. Mass together, before the meeting.