RCIA
Rite Of Christian Initiation for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a spiritual and educational formation process to assist and support adults as they become full members of the Catholic Church.
The RCIA welcomes:
Welcome! We are glad you are interested in learning more about being a Catholic Christian. The Catholic Church has a special process called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) to assist adults who are unbaptized or who are baptized in another Christian denomination to discover more about the Catholic Church.
You have questions - don't you?
Some of the most frequently asked questions are listed below; let's start with them.
We also have links to additional information, resources, and inquiry forms. We have provided contact information below, so you can reach us if you have more questions or would like to set up a time to meet and discuss any questions you may have.
Sr. Rosalie Karstedt, C.D.P.
Coordinator of Adult Sacraments and RCIA in English
713-554-1556
Frequently Asked Questions about. . .
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Click on a Question below to get to your answer
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How can I get baptized? The Catholic Church has a special process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA, for short) for adults who wish to be baptized. This process is designed to welcome and prepare people to celebrate baptism through a series of gatherings, rituals, classes and small groups. The purpose is to foster a relationship with God and with the community, to encourage a spirit of faith and charity, to teach or review the basics of the Catholic faith, to prepare for the sacraments, and to help the person feel “at home” in the Catholic Church. |
If I have been baptized in another Christian Church, will I be baptized again? We normally recognize as valid any baptism performed by pouring or immersion with water and the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This would include the baptism of most mainline Christian Churches. In this case, a person would not be baptized again. |
What is meant when people refer to men and women coming into “full communion with the Catholic Church”? When men and women who are baptized Christians but not Roman Catholics wish to become Catholics , they are coming into “full communion with the Catholic Church” through a process similar to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). These people make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. |
How long does it take? The time required may vary-- depending upon the background and circumstances of the individual. Normally a person who is not baptized would participate in the RCIA process for a minimum of one year from the time of beginning. For persons who are baptized in another Christian denomination, the time frame may vary widely depending on their commitment to Jesus Christ, how active they have been in other Christian communities, and other factors. |
Why does it take so long? The person can build a good foundation for lifelong formation and an ever deepening relationship with God, moving at God’s pace, not too fast or too slow, during a year’s time. Also each person can experience the richness of the Church’s different seasons and feasts through the year and have an opportunity to enter fully into the life of the community. |
How do I start? You may get started in several ways:
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What happens during these “Inquiry Gatherings”? |
What happens after the Inquiry Gatherings?
If you have never been baptized |
Explain about this “Catechumenate.” What is it? |
What is a sponsor? How do I find one? |