Becoming Catholic

Baptism for adults and children 7 years or older is approached through the
R.C.I A. program.  The process is for:

• Those who have never been baptized, and/or
• Those who were baptized in another Christian tradition but are drawn to the Catholic Church at this time

Over the course of months, those enrolled study prayer, Catholic doctrine, liturgy, and Catholic practices.

The RCIA process consists of four periods, each punctuated by a liturgical rite:

• The Period of Evangelization and Inquiry.  The Rite of Acceptance formally ends this period.
• The Period of the Catechumenate.  The Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion formally ends this period.
• The Period of Purification and Enlightenment.  This period formally ends with the celebration of the Easter Vigil.
• The Period of Mystagogy.  This period ends with the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost.