Becoming a Catholic (RCIA)

Introduction

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the journey by which those interested in becoming Catholics are prepared for baptism at Easter.  The journey consists of fortnightly sessions where the faith is discussed and explained; and a series of liturgies or rites which are milestones on the way.  Those taking the journey (who are known by the ancient name catechumens – those who hear the echo of the Christian faith in their own hearts and beliefs) are accompanied by Catholics who instruct them and share their own experience.

Many who take these steps towards becoming Catholics are already baptised.  All Christian baptism is accepted by the Catholic Church (there is no re-baptism) and so these catechumens are ‘received into the Catholic Church’ at Easter by celebrating the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist.

The RCIA course at Sacred Heart Church is structured in three parts:

  • in the autumn, the catechumens explore encounter with the person of Jesus from different perspectives and begin to learn how to recognize the risen Christ at work in their own lives;

  • from January and leading up to baptism (or reception into the Church) at Easter, the catechumens look at the ways in which God called and redeemed his people in Old Testament times; and there are the rites of election and scrutiny through which they engage more deeply with the Catholic community;

  • after Easter comes a period known as mystagogia during which the mysteries of the Easter celebration (baptism, confirmation and eucharist) are explored and assimilated with greater depth.

Adults who feel they are ready to embark on the journey towards baptism (or reception) into the Catholic faith are invited to apply for the RCIA programme.  This involves a one-to-one interview with the programme leader.  There needs to be a solid intention to seek baptism (or reception) but there is no final commitment until the Rite of Election, which takes place in the presence of the bishop – the leader of the Catholic community in Edinburgh.

Our RCIA programme invites participants to share their experience of God, and to listen to the experience of others.  This sharing is done in a prayerful way and the programme offers the opportunity to deepen your spirituality and learn ways of praying.  Out of this prayerful sharing comes an exploration of Scripture, the teaching of the Church, and the experience of Christian life in the Catholic Church.  It is, therefore, important that everyone in the group commits to attending all the sessions and liturgies.

Contact

To find out more, ask questions, or register for this year’s RCIA programme, please contact Andrew Cassidy at ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk

If you have missed the start of the programme, it may still be possible to include you.  Please get in touch.

The Programme

Part I – Autumn

Session 1 – Wednesday 4th October 7pm
Introduction to RCIA
An introduction and overview of the RCIA programme, with the chance to have questions answered.

Session 2 – Wednesday 18th October 7pm
Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life
In this session, we will explore the interaction between Jesus and Zaccheus and examine how this relates to our own lives.  We shall also look at our personal call to holiness by reading Pope Francis’ letter Gaudete et Exsultate and how this call can be fulfilled in our daily life.  We will also explore different methods of prayer and learn to pray using our imaginations.

Liturgy – Sunday 22nd October 10.30am
Introduction to the Parish Community
The catechumens are welcomed at Sunday Mass and the parish community is asked to pray for them and accompany them on their journey towards Easter and baptism.

Session 3 – Wednesday 1st November 7pm
Christ the Icon of God
In this session, we will discuss the different images of God we have encountered throughout our lives.  We shall also discuss Christ Jesus and how the fullness of God’s divine revelation is found in him.  We will explore St Paul’s letter to the Christian community at Colossae where he writes about Jesus as the image or icon of the invisible God.  Our method of prayer this week will be the Examen (review of the day) of St Ignatius Loyola.

Session 4 – Wednesday 14th November 7pm
Christ, God and Man
In this session, we will explore the Christian belief that Christ is both fully human and fully divine.  We will do this by exploring the nativity of Christ and examining the theology of St Anselm of Canterbury (Why God Became Man Chapter 7).  Our method of prayer will be guided imaginative contemplation.

Session 5 – Wednesday 29th November 7pm
Christ the Teacher
In this session, we will explore the role of Christ as Teacher by examining Matthew 22:34-40 (Love God and love your neighbour) together with Pope Francis’ letter Gaudete et Exsultate in which he reflects on the Beatitudes and relates them to our daily lives.  Our prayer will be based on the Beatitudes.

Session 6 – Wednesday 13th December 7pm
Christ the Healer
In this session, we will explore the healing ministry of Christ by exploring Jesus’ interaction with a blind man.  We will look at our personal need for healing and discuss the human dimension of the mystery of redemption through Jesus.  Our method of prayer will be Lectio Divina using the gospel parable of the Prodigal Son.

Part II – January to Easter

Session 7 – Wednesday 10th January 7pm
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
In this session, we will explore the Book of Genesis, focusing on creation and our understanding of the God who reveals himself as One and Three.  Our method of prayer will be Lectio Divina using John 1:1-15.

Session 8 – Wednesday 7th February 7pm
Redemption
In this session, we will explore the idea of Original Sin using the stories of Adam and Eve and the Tower of Babel, both found in the Book of Genesis.  We will discuss our need for salvation through Christ and how we are saved through the grace of God by reflecting on our personal faith journey – asking when and where we were aware of God’s presence in our lives and where he seemed absent.

Liturgy – Sunday 18th February 12-noon
The Rite of Election
The Rite of Election marks the entry of the catechumens into the final phase of their preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation.  This rite takes place at the Cathedral in the presence of the bishop.

Session 9 – Wednesday 21st February 7pm
God’s Covenants
In this session, we will explore the concept of covenant found in the Old Testament and in particular focus on God’s covenant with Abraham, exploring what this story reveals about God.  We will discuss how the concept of covenants relates to our own lives – marriage, for instance, is a covenant relationship that we are familiar with in our own life journey.  Our prayer will be Lectio Divina.

Liturgy – Sunday 3rd March 10.30am
First Scrutiny
At the Sunday liturgy, catechumens are presented with the Creed (or Symbol of Faith) and are invited to read, learn and understand this ancient statement of Christian belief.

Session 10 – Wednesday 6th March 7pm
Moses and the Law
In this session, we will explore the story of Moses – how God revealed himself to Moses and the significance of his identity as ‘I am who I am’.  We will also discuss the ten commandments and the Jewish Law and how this is developed in the New Testament. We will reflect on our own lives and try to identify moments when God has revealed himself to us.  The prayer for this session will be imaginative contemplation.

Liturgy – Sunday 10th March 10.30am
Second Scrutiny
At the Sunday liturgy, catechumens are presented with the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father . . .) and encouraged to make it part of their daily prayer.  Christians traditionally pray the Lord’s Prayer three times each day.

Liturgy – Sunday 17th March 10.30am
Third Scrutiny
At the Sunday liturgy, the catechumens are anointed with the Oil of Catechumens – a rite of strengthening in faith and preparation for Easter.

Session 11 – Wednesday 20th March 7pm
Towards a New Covenant
In this session, we will explore the covenants and prophecies of the Old Testament and discuss how God’s people failed to live up to the covenant.  This resulted in the people realising they needed a mediator between God and them.  Christians believe that this mediator is Jesus, the Messiah, the second person of the Trinity.  We will share our personal experience of encounter with Jesus.

Liturgy – Saturday 30th March 9pm
The Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday) is the high point and great liturgy of the Christian year.  It is now that the catechumens are baptised (or received into the Church) and take full part in the Eucharist for the first time.

Part III – After Easter

Session 12 – Wednesday 17th April 7pm
The Eucharist
In this session, we will discuss the importance of the eucharist in the life of the Church, exploring its origins in the Last Supper and examining the theology of the eucharist.  We will share our own experiences of receiving the eucharist for the first time and the ways in which eucharist shapes our faith journey.

Session 13 – Wednesday 1st May 7pm
Saint Peter & Saint Paul
In this session, we will explore the mission of two of the most influential figures in Christianity, examining how their actions led to the spread of Christianity throughout the known world.  We will discuss some of their key writings.  We will also explore how God has called each of us personally – our unique vocation.

Session 14 – Wednesday 15th May 7pm
The Christian Community
In this session, we will discuss the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch from the Acts of the Apostles and what it means to be a member of the Christian community. We will explore our own experience of being welcomed into the Christian community and how this has impacted our lives in the past weeks.

Session 15 – Wednesday 29th May 7pm
Pentecost
Pentecost is the birth day of the Church and, in this session, we will explore the significance of this major Christian feast day, discussing how it enables the Church to develop.   We will share something of our own life experience and discuss how we can spread the gospel message.

Session 16 – Wednesday 12th June 7pm
Missionary Disciples
Pope Francis calls on us to become ‘missionary disciples’.  We will discuss what this means in our everyday lives and how we can best live out our mission to build the Kingdom of God