The Stages of RCIA

There are four stages in the RCIA process:  Inquiry, Study (Catechumenate), Purification and Enlightenment and Living the Mystery of Faith (Mystagogy). 

STAGE ONE - INQUIRY (Precatechumenate):
This period of Inquiry is a time for:

• asking questions about the Catholic faith

• building community within the group and developing a trusting atmosphere 

• examining God’s presence in our lives, past and present

• learning about prayer

• fostering conversion

• developing or improving our relationship with God

• Getting to know his Church.

 We read the Sunday Gospel and discuss what it means to us in our lives.  We also discuss topics such as:

• What brought you to the RCIA

• your image of God

• prayer and liturgy

• Who is Jesus

• Who is the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Trinity

• Mary & the Saints

STAGE TWO - THE CATECHUMENTATE (STUDY):
The period of Study is a time for:

• Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community

• Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church

More importantly, it is a time for:

• Continuing to examines God’s presence in our lives, past and present

• Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish

• Fostering conversion

• Developing or improving our relationship with God.

We also discuss topics such as:

• Seasons of the Church

• The Bible

• The Incarnation

• The seven Sacraments

• Sin, evil, guilt

• The 10 Commandments, The Beatitudes

• Different prayer forms

STAGE THREE - PURIFICATION & ENLIGHTENMENT:
This stage is sometimes referred to as the “retreat” stage of the process. We will turn our attention away from the “knowledge” aspect of our faith and allow ourselves to attend to the spiritual dimension of our faith. This is a time to look within and:

• examine areas of sinfulness or weakness in our lives

• ask God’s help in healing these areas

• repentance

•  join with the Church in the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving

Finally, we begin the final preparations for receiving the sacraments of initiation:  Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  It is a prayerful time.

STAGE FOUR – MYSTAGOGY (Living the Mystery):

This five week period of time is a time for:

• living a sacramental life

• living out the gospel way of life

• becoming more involved in the parish

We also will discuss:

• Evangelization

•  Stewardship

• Lay Ministry