Becoming Catholic (RCIA)

Have you been to Our Lady of Grace for Mass?

Have you been away from the Church and now returned/are thinking about returning, and want to know more?

Have you been a Catholic all your life, but never celebrated all of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)?

Have you joined us from a different faith background and would like to find out more about the Catholic Church?

If any of the above questions apply to you, we would love to help you in your journey!  Or, if you know of anyone who could answer YES to any of the above questions, perhaps you should extend an invitation to them!

For more information, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Christine Flack, at 215-757-5530 or dre@olg1.org.

What is the RCIA?
"RCIA" stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In simplest terms, the RCIA is a systematic look at the beliefs, practices, and “laws” of the Roman Catholic faith. In the RCIA, sessions are held to explain the Church’s teachings and practices, such as the celebration of the Sacraments. The RCIA is often likened to a “journey of faith”. Participants of all backgrounds journey together to discover more about the Catholic faith. Think of it as you would a journey within a foreign country – you would see and learn more on a guided tour than if you simply went and wandered on your own.

Who can participate?
The RCIA is ideal for:

• People who are not Catholic and wish to know more about the Catholic faith
• People who are not Catholic and wish to become a full member of the Catholic Church

Why would I participate in the RCIA?
As the title suggests, the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults was created by the early Church to prepare adults for reception (initiation) as full members of the Catholic faith. While that is still one of the purposes that the RCIA fulfills, the intent to join the Church is not required or even expected of participants. People are welcome to come simply to know more, and perhaps feel more comfortable attending Mass with friends, spouses, children, or others who are Catholic.

What do you do at RCIA sessions?
RCIA sessions are a mix of prayer, faith sharing, Scripture reading and discussion, instruction, and dialogue. Here are just some of the activities you can expect to experience in various RCIA sessions:

• Lessons covering some aspect of Catholic teaching, belief, or practice conducted by either a member of the RCIA Team or someone with appropriate expertise
• Tours of the church building to learn about what everything is and represents
• Faith sharing: people discuss the impact of their faith on the way they live their lives. In particular, the Catholic companions reflect on the way they try to live in response to the teaching of the Church.
• Scripture is one of the cornerstones of the faith, and so Scripture is part of every session. The Scriptural passages read and discussed at a particular session usually follow the Gospel of that Sunday's liturgy. Discussion of the passages from Scripture is called Breaking Open the Word and is intended to help participants find the personal meaning of the Scripture in their lives.
• Community building through social and interpersonal time. It is more comfortable on any extended tour if you have a community of people with whom you can enjoy the journey!
• And so much more!

Am I committed to anything if I participate?
Absolutely not. The RCIA should be a welcoming journey for you to take away whatever you get from it.

What if I do want to become a Catholic?
Those who decide they want to become full members of the Catholic Church use the RCIA as a preparation period. Along the way, several “Rites” are celebrated - milestones to mark significant decision points in the faith journey. If you are interested in becoming a full member of the Catholic Church, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Christine Flack, at dre@olg1.org or (215)-757-5530.

What if I have more questions?
Questions are always welcome! You can direct your questions to: dre@olg1.org or (215)-757-5530. Or, visit the Catholics Come Home website for some more great resources and information!