RCIA

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil,   thousands of men and women are received into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new members through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Our RCIA group at CHRIST THE KING stresses this is not a program, but is a gradual process in which someone has a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and freely chooses to follow him in the faith of the Catholic Church. The group meets 9:30 am - 11:45 am on Sunday mornings.

RCIA consists of four periods: 1.  Pre Catechumenate (Inquiry) 2. The Catechumenate 3. Purification and Enlightenment  4.  Mystagogy.

During   Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry) you are introduced to Christ and his Church with a focus on Scripture and the story of salvation. This period can last any length of time depending on the individual. You are encouraged to ask questions and explore faith in a personal way.

In the  Catechumenate, you will learn about Catholic beliefs and practices with a view toward making a firm commitment to Christ and his Church. Like the period of Inquiry, the Catechumenate can last any length of time, but  normally lasts three to four months.

The  Purification and Enlightenment period coincides with the season of Lent. It is a time of prayer and self-examination in preparation for Baptism, which usually takes place at the Easter Vigil.

Mystagogy lasts for seven weeks, concluding at Pentecost around the beginning of June. During this period the meaning of God's word, the sacraments, the moral life and prayer are experienced and reflected on as you continue the life long journey of maturing in faith.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Children ages 7-17 (RCIC)

RCIC is for those aged 7-17 who were not baptized as infants. It adapts the RCIA to prepare these young people  to be initiated into the Catholic Church. The process involves the entire family and culminates with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

The RCIC mirrors the adult RCIA process as outlined above. However, it is adapted to suit the capacities of the younger participants.