RCIA Programme

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which non-Catholic or non-Christion adults, as well as baptised Catholics who have not been confirmed, wishing to know more about the Catholic faith with the possible view of converting to or entering into, full communion with the Catholic Church, participate in a journey of discovery. In effect, it is a journey to discover the truth about the Catholic Church and what it teaches. By re-introducing this process into the life of the Church, the Second Vatican Council was affirming the desire of all Catholics that what is needed is a source of new Christians who will be born again in the faith and life of a Spirit-filled community – a community begetting a community. 

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This is not a new desire of the Church but to understand it one must go back into the past. We have to go back to the 3rd century when those aspiring to become Christians were known as “Catechumens” and underwent a training period of one to three years.

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As a result of the Second Vatican Council, the Church promulgated, in 1972, the Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This programme modelled itself on the early Church practice. This has proven to be a very successful initiative and has resulted in many new Christians and already baptised Christians being brought into full membership with in the Church. Who is this programme aimed at? The RCIA programme reaches out to everyone. It is specifically structured to assist prospective Catholics in their journey to become active members of the Church Community. 

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It is, therefore, aimed at three different groups of people. 

1. Non-Christians; i.e. Un-baptised individuals. (Catechumens) These are individuals from other non-Christians faiths or individuals who have never belonged to any particular religion. 

2. Non-Catholics (Candidates). These are individuals that have been baptised in another Christian church but are in need of further instruction and initiation into full membership with the Catholic Church. 

3. Baptised Catholics who have not been confirmed. (Candidates). These are individuals who, although baptised in the Roman Catholic Church, have, for one reason or another, not received the other Sacraments of Initiation such as Eucharist and or Confirmation. 

4. Anyone, including practising Catholics. These are individuals of any religion, including practising Catholics who simply want to know more about the Catholic Church and what it teaches. 

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 Please contact Fr James Ralston O.M.I. on 031 5647587 or             

                          fr.james@blessedsacrament.co.za