Are-see-eye-eh … What's that?

ARE-SEE-EYE-EH … WHAT’S THAT?
That is “R.C.I.A.,” an acronym for The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This is the ordinarily prescribed catechetical, liturgical, and sacramental process by which adults are initiated and incorporated into communion with the universal Catholic Church. The R.C.I.A. is designed primarily for adults who have never been baptized. It can also apply to baptized non-Catholics who seek to be in full communion with the Catholic Church and to baptized adult Catholics who may not have completed their initiation (first Communion and/or Confirmation.) Additionally, fully initiated Catholics can participate as “sponsors” or “companions” as a way to deepen and enrich their own understanding and practice of the faith.

The Rite itself finds its roots in the instruction Jesus gave to his disciples after his resurrection: Go you, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. [Matthew 28:18-19]. But, as you might expect, it’s been modified, amplified, and revised several times over the intervening centuries.

The current version of the Rite was promulgated in 1972 following the general mandate of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council to renew and restore all the sacramental rites of the Church. The Introduction reads as follows: The rite of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.

So, what does it involve? Well, three things essentially.

First it involves catechetical instruction in what the Catholic Church believes, teaches, and practices. For this purpose, we use the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults as a text book and curriculum guide. We supplement the catechism with a variety of material from other sources as well as with participants sharing their own insights. This takes place over the course of 20 one-hour-per-week sessions, following the 11 A.M. Sunday Mass, between mid-September and Easter.

Second, it involves rituals that takes place at Sunday Masses. These begin with the Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming on the first Sunday of Advent. Then, on the first Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the Rite of Sending whereby catechumens and candidates are formally “sent” by the parish community to the Co-Cathedral (Basilica) for election and enrollment by the bishop. The Elect then come before the community on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent to be “scrutinized” and prayed for. Finally, the Rites of Initiation themselves (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, this year on Saturday, April 20.

Third and perhaps most important, R.C.I.A. involves a process of personal conversation and discernment. Each participant is encouraged to come to know and understand the history, traditions, teachings and practice of the Catholic Church with all its beauty and richness; but also, with all its human failures, and poverties. They are also encouraged to know and understand their own hearts, their own faith history, their own evolving spirituality. For each participant, the question to be answered is this: Is God calling me, personally and at this moment, to the Christian faith and full communion with the Holy Roman Catholic Church?

Alternately, other participants may be addressing this question: How is God calling me, at this point in my life, to a deeper commitment to and practice of my Catholic Christian faith?

During the program, all participants will be encouraged to develop some habits of personal daily prayer. On the Saturday before Holy Week, there will be a half-day of reflection and prayer. Finally, there are will two additional weekly sessions of the mystagogia — a deepening understanding of the mysteries of the faith through practice and reflection on that practice.

I have directed or participated in R.C.I.A. many times over the 45 years since its implementation. I like to think of such participation — whether as a “seeker,” a “sponsor,” or a “companion” — as going on a pilgrimage, a journey with travelling companions. One is never quite sure where one is going to wind up; but the journeying is an end-in-itself. Along with the itinerary, that is, the direction to be followed, it is the companionship that makes it what it is. Please consider joining our little group of “Lourdes Pilgrims” this Fall … and see if you can’t convince one or more others to come along with you.

Fr. David Haschka