What does RCIA stand for?
It stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Who should attend the classes?
RCIA is for adults who want to be baptized, baptized Christians of other faith traditions who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or becoming Catholic, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received their first Communion or Confirmation.

RCIA is done in four different stages:

1. The Precatechumenate or Inquiry Period
   • This is a time of asking questions, building community and trust, learning about the Church and it is a time of learning in prayer about conversion.
2. The Catechumenate
   • This is a longer period marked by continuing to learn about the basic teachings of the Church, continuing to build community, entering more deeply into prayer and reflecting on the Word of God.
3. The Period Of Enlightenment And Purification
   • This is a more intense period of preparing to receive the Easter Sacraments of Initiation. This period runs during Lent and is a time of deep prayer, conversion, continued instruction, and listening to God's voice.
4. Mystagogy

The period when the newly initiated Catholics are drawn more deeply into the life of the Church.

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