The RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA in its purest form is for those adults who have not yet been baptised-however in reality those that are converting from other Christian religions often go through the RCIA as well- and certain provisions need to be made for this.

The RCIA is a process by which adults are introduced to the life of the Catholic Church through catechesis and liturgy.

When an adult becomes Catholic they receive all 3 sacraments of initiation at the same time-Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Vatican II said that RCIA should be the proper way of initiating adults.

The 3 lynchpins of the RCIA are:

1. Liturgical
   - teaching through prayer and worship
2. Catechetical
   - the systematic and organic delivery of the Deposit of faith
3. Pastoral
   - a people to person endeavour, accomplished through relationships

Each of these elements needs to be present, for RCIA to flourish in a parish.

RCIA is all about Formation- it is about giving information abut what the Catholic Church teaches, and why she does so- but it is also about human formation.  We need to introduce those people who are interested into the life and love of the Church.

“the RCIA process seeks to prepare people not merely for assent to eternal truths, but more so to fall in love with an eternal Lover”  (To the Threshold and to the Fullness: What is the RCIA supposed to be? Association of Catechumenal Ministry )