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A Personal Journey Through RICA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
For most Catholics, the RCIA process can be quite confusing. The document, RCIA, defines non-baptized persons interested in drawing closer to Christ as catechumens. Catechumens become full members of the Catholic Church by means of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, which are referred to as the Sacraments of Initiation. Those adults who were baptized as infants either as Roman Catholics or as members of another Christian community but didn’t receive further catechetical formation, nor, the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist are also included in the RCIA process. They are referred to as candidates preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and the sacrament of Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.
During college, I went through RCIA one-on-one with my priest and on March 27, 1983, I became Catholic in a private ceremony after Mass. There was no community support and I certainly didn’t feel like I was part of the body of Christ. In recent years, Holy Saturday has signaled not just the end of Lent and the dawn of the Easter season, but also the entrance of new Catholics into the Church through RCIA. On March 4, 2007, our RCIA catechumens and candidates took another step toward the Sacraments of Initiation by attending the Rite of Election with Bishop Zubik. What’s not commonly known is the entire Catholic community is responsible for nurturing those who are searching for Christ. There is an essential bond that exists between the faith of the RCIA faithful and the faith of the fully initiated that can encourage a mystical experience for everyone in the community. The witness of the faithful participating in the sacraments and the ministerial life of the Church is a huge source of inspiration and comfort to the catechumens and candidates.
Similarly, the enthusiastic embrace of the faith that the new converts bring to the celebration of the liturgy and sacraments can lift the spirits of “veteran” Catholics who may have become complacent; me included. It wasn’t until I was invited to live a Cursillo weekend that I experienced a vibrant Catholic community. It’s taken me over 20 years, but I now experience indescribable joy as our new members breath fresh life into the Church as they celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation on Holy Saturday. It’s vitally important that the St. Pius X community serves as mentors and guides to the converts as they reflect on the mysteries that unfold before them through their meditation of the Gospels, their participation in the Eucharist, and their ministry in charity to others.
As baptized Christians, we’ve all been adopted into God’s family. Like Peter and Mary Magdalene, each of us has been commissioned by the Lord to go out and proclaim the good news of the gospel as we reach out in love to those around us and build God’s kingdom on earth. We are equal members of the universal church and have been called to play a special role in God’s mission so let’s be faithful to the call! You see, it’s through prayer, that we receive life from God. As a welcoming Catholic community with the Eucharist as the focal point, let’s pray for each of our catechumens and candidates as they journey toward the Holy Saturday on April 7, 2007.
Together in Christ,
Paul Kerney <><
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