Mary Queen of Heaven RCIA - Right of Christian Initation of Adults

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an experience that the Church provides to help people enter into a relationship with God and the Catholic community. The person is exposed to the faith through prayer, sharing of faith experiences, study and various rites celebrated at Mass so the gathered community is able to provide support and prayers.

There are various stages that an individual experiences on this journey to God. Initially, the person enters the INQUIRY stage. Here the person begins to understand the call of God to enter into a deeper relationship. Initial questions are addressed to the RCIA team and the person begins to develop a sense of belonging to a community of believers.

Once the individual identifies his/her desire to become Catholic, he/she will experience various rites celebrated at Mass. The Rite of Acceptance is celebrated for those who have yet to be baptized; they are known as CATECHUMENS. These individuals will become fully initiated into the faith through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

The Rite of Welcome is celebrated for those who have already been baptized in a Christian faith, but seek to come into full communion as Catholics; these individuals are known as CANDIDATES. They will be fully initiated into the Catholic faith through a public profession of faith, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

There are times when someone is Baptized Catholic, but never received religious training or never completed all three sacraments of initiation. These individuals also become part of the RCIA experience. They, too, are known as CANDIDATES as they seek to complete their initiation into the Church through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.