RCIA
RCIA is a process of initiation into the Catholic Church for adults. This process prepares adults to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist). While the formal RCIA process tends to end some time after initiation, the RCIA journey continues where as a baptized Catholic, you will continue to be lifelong and joyful disciples of Jesus Christ.
If you are interested in joining the program, call Elvia Vazquez at (718) 625-5115.
More About RCIA
The RCIA process is broken up into four periods:
I. Evangelization and Pre-catechumenate
As an Inquirer, this is a time for you to ask questions, be introduced to Gospel values, and experience the beginnings of faith. If you feel that you are ready and would like to take the next step, this period concludes with the celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.
II. Catechumenate
As a Catechumen, this is a time for your faith to be nurtured. You will be participating in celebrations of the Word and attending sessions to learn about Catholic faith and teachings. If you feel that you are ready and would like to take the next step towards initiation, this period concludes with the celebration of the Rite of Election/Enrollment of Names where there will be a diocesan-wide celebration of Catechumens.
III. Purification and Enlightenment
As an Elect, this period (usually during Lent) preceding your initiation is meant to be a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by the celebration of the scrutinies and preparation for the rites of the Sacraments of Initiation. During this time, you are still free to make a final decision whether you wish to be fully initiated into the church.
IV. Mystagogy/Postbaptismal Catechesis
Now that you have been initiated, as a neophyte, you are fully a part of the community. This is a time for deepening your faith.
RCIA journeys have varying lengths. As a general guide, the journey is about a year – from your time of inquiry till a couple of weeks after baptism the following Easter.
If you find that you need more time to figure out if you really have the desire to join the Catholic Church, please do not feel that you need to rush the decision as the duration of the catechumenate should be long enough for the conversion and faith of the catechumens to become strong.
The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms of Christian communities which are carried out with water, “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. If your baptism is considered valid, you will not be re-baptized. Instead, you will undergo the RCIA programme as a “candidate”, preparing for the other two Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Confirmation and Holy Communion. If your baptism was not valid (e.g. “in the name of Jesus”), you will be baptized. If there is doubt about the validity of your baptism (e.g. if you do not know what words were used), you will be baptized conditionally.
Godparents must meet all of the following criteria, which are established by universal Church law and which do not vary from place to place. Godparents must:
- Catholic
- Have been baptized, confirmed and received Communion.
- Be 16 years or older (although there may be exceptions to this rule at the discretion of the bishop).
- Must be living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows.
- This means that they must be practicing the faith, cannot be engaging in notorious sin, and cannot have taken public positions in opposition to the Catholic faith or morals. If a sponsor is married, their marriage must be recognized by the Church. In general, if a potential sponsor is not a member of the parish where the baptism is to take place, he or she must obtain a letter or certificate from their own pastor which affirms that they meet the above requirements.