RCIA process continued

2. Growth (Catechumenate) – This begins the second period, a time for you to grow in faith and knowledge of God, Jesus, and the Church. At the end of this period, you are accepted by the Bishop through the Rite of Election or the Call to Continuing Conversion.

3. Preparation (Purification & Enlightenment) – This period is a time for spiritual growth and includes final preparation for receiving the actual sacraments of initiation. It ordinarily coincides with the Lenten season and preparation for the Easter celebration.

4. Mystagogy – This is a time for deepening your Christian experience and for entering more fully into the life and unity of the community.

"In the sacraments of Christian initiation, we are freed from the power of darkness and joined to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection...Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God's people...Coming to the table of the Eucharist, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man so that we may have eternal life and show forth the unity of God's people...Finally, by signing us with the gift of the Spirit, Confirmation makes us more completely the image of the Lord and fills us with the Holy Spirit, so that we may bear witness to him before all the world and work to bring the body of Christ to its fullness as soon as possible." (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - Study Edition)

What are the rites of the RCIA?

At the end of each period, a rite is celebrated to signify the continuation of the process until the sacraments of initiation are celebrated. The rites are:

• Rite of Acceptance – a celebration where the unbaptized inquirers publicly declare to the church their intentions to continue their faith journey. The church welcomes and accepts them as persons who intend to become its members. This Rite is usually adapted to accommodate baptized Inquirers who seek to become fully initiated into the Catholic Faith (Rite of Welcoming).

• Rite of Election – Based on testimony of godparents and catechists, and the Catechumens' reaffirmation, the Church declares their state of readiness to enter the final period in their faith journey. The Catechumens now called the "Elect" are strengthened to take part in the sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. This rite is usually adapted to accommodate baptized Inquirers (now called Candidates) seeking full communion with the Catholic Church (Rite of Call to Continuing Conversion).

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