Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil,  thousands of individuals are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The Catechumenate process includes four formation periods:

Period One:  Inquiry – A time of informal introduction to the Catholic community, its teaching and traditions. Anything you have ever wanted to ask about the Catholic Church!
 
Period Two:  Catechumenate – A more lengthy period during which the participants gather weekly to relate gospel truths to their daily lives.  All teachings are based on Holy Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
 
Period Three:  Purification and Enlightenment – A forty-day period which focuses on prayer and spiritual growth, usually coinciding with Lent.
     

Period Four:  Mystagogy – A seven week period of reflecting on the experience of Initiation and the meaning of the Sacraments, and the new members’ integration into the Catholic   community.  Mystagogy never really ends; all Catholics are called to deepen their spiritual growth and appreciation for the mysteries throughout their lives.

School-age children participate in a similar process of study and spiritual growth that is appropriate for their age and development.

The time frame of the Catechumenate process is flexible and depends on the spiritual needs of each participant. It usually takes a year or two to complete. 

If you are interested or have questions, we invite you call the church office at 806-358-1351.