Each year on Holy Saturday, during the Easter Vigil, parishes across the world welcome new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Who attends RCIA?
Un-baptized adults
Adults baptized in non-Trinitarian formula
Adults baptized as Catholic, but lack First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Adults baptized & confirmed infants in the Catholic Church, but lack First Holy Communion
Adults baptized in other Christian Churches, in the Trinitarian formula with water
The RCIA learning process is a good model for faith development.
You ask questions but are not yet ready to commit.
You decide to enter the Church and learn the catechism, and the basic points about Catholic faith and life.
You focus and intensify your faith and are received into the Church at Easter. During the RCIA process, you will follow a series of Bible-based meditations and formation during Lent, which is the normal time frame.
You are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass where you’ll receive the sacraments of baptism (not if you’ve already been baptized), confirmation, and Eucharist.
After reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments.***It is said that all of the baptized faithful are continuing this phase because we are always reflecting on the story of Christ.