Family Catechesis-Parish Leadership Support

Who Belongs in RCIA?

December 8, 2010

Dear Pastors and Parish Directors of RCIA/RCIC/RCIT,

Each year as we begin the Rites of Initiation there is confusion as what liturgical rites apply to whom. I have prepared the following to guide you as you determine who is involved in which rites of RCIA. Many years ago, the Office of Worship had encouraged parishes to use Combined Rites found in the Appendix of the RCIA ritual whenever possible. Because there has been widespread confusion as to who was doing what and distinctions were lost between the baptized and non-baptized, over the last few years
we have turned back to the "normative" rituals not the combined rites.

Most parishes are dealing with three groups:

  1. The unbaptized.
  2. Baptized in another Christian denomination
  3. Baptized Catholic, but not formed in the faith

Though parishes oftentimes combine the above three groups together for the purpose of instruction, they must be separated for all liturgical rites. The combined rites found in the Appendix of RCIA texts are the exception and are not to be used on a regular basis by any parish in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Please Note the following:

Those unbaptized (adult, teen, child) are involved in the following rites:

  1. Rite of Acceptance
  2. Rites during period of Catechumanate—celebrations of the word, minor exorcisms, blessing of catechumens, anointing of catechumens, presentations (creed, Our Father—optional), sending for Election
  3. Rite of Election (1st Sunday of Lent)
  4. Scrutinies
  5. Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil

Those Baptized in another Christian Denomination and not catechized are involved in the following
rites:

  1. Rite of Welcome
  2. Rite of Sending for the Call to Continuing Conversion (optional)
  3. Rite of Calling Candidates to Continuing Conversion (Baptism of the Lord)
  4. Penitential Rite
  5. Rite of Reception (Sunday Liturgy, preferably, not the Easter Vigil)

Those Baptized Catholic but not catechized are involved in the following rites:

  1. Rite of Welcome
  2. Rite of Sending for the Call to Continuing Conversion(optional)
  3. Rite of Calling Candidates for Continuing Conversion (Baptism of the Lord)
  4. Penitential Rite
  5. Confirmation/First Eucharist with Parish Confirmation (preferred)

Baptized, practicing Catholics in need of Confirmation are involved in the following:

  1. Six week Confirmation course
  2. Confirmation with parish confirmation

Baptized, practicing non-Catholics wanting to be received into the Church are involved in the following:

  1. Basic instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice (e.g. 6-8 weeks)
  2. Received into Church, confirmed and First Eucharist, as needed by Pastor at Sunday Mass (preferably, other than the Easter Vigil)

I hope you find this breakout helpful in your work. God's blessing on all you do with those being formed in the faith.
Peace,
Fr. Kieran Kleczewski
Director, Office of Worship