In the sacraments of Christian initiation we are freed from the power of darkness and joined to Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We receive the Spirit of filial adoption and are part of the entire people of God in the celebration of the memorial of the Lord's death and resurrection. - Christian Initiation, General Introduction, 1
How does one become Catholic?
There are two pathways of initiation into joining the Catholic Faith:
# 1 – As an infant / child (Ages newborn – 6 years old)
# 2 – As a child of catechetical age (Ages 7 – 13) and as an adult (Ages 14 +)
For the first group, parents would request baptism on the child's behalf and when the child reaches catechetical age, they would receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, and then Confirmation after further formation and spiritual maturation.
The second will receive the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) through their local church community, or parish. RCIA consists stages and various major and minor Rites that are celebrated during the Catechumenate process to assist in spiritual formation.
# 1 – As an infant / child (Ages newborn – 6 years old)
# 2 – As a child of catechetical age (Ages 7 – 13) and as an adult (Ages 14 +)
For the first group, parents would request baptism on the child's behalf and when the child reaches catechetical age, they would receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, and then Confirmation after further formation and spiritual maturation.
The second will receive the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) through their local church community, or parish. RCIA consists stages and various major and minor Rites that are celebrated during the Catechumenate process to assist in spiritual formation.
Those who wish enter to into full initiation and communion with the Catholic Church are identified as Catechumens ("katēkhoumenos" - one being instructed) or Candidates out of respect for the different needs and circumstances of these two groups. Both Catechumens and Candidates will be assigned a sponsor to accompany them as a guide and mentor on this journey.
Catechumens |
Candidates |
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Those who are not baptized are considered catechumens and will receive all three sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist upon entering into the Church on Easter Vigil. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher. This includes an initiation into the mystery of salvation, the practice of faith, hope, and love, and other virtues in a succession of liturgical rites.
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Candidates are baptized Christians of other traditions or baptized Christians of the Catholic tradition who have yet to receive full initiation are also welcomed to participate along with catechumens in the RCIA process of learning about and being formed in the Catholic faith. For a baptized Christian, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church involves reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and then a Profession of Faith followed by the celebration of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
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If you have additional questions on the Catechumenate (RCIA), please contact your local Catholic parish or the Office of Catechesis or call (812) 424-5536