Christian Initiation is the journey of becoming a fully participating member in the life and community of the Catholic Church. Initiation involves preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, celebrated on the greatest feastday of the Church - Easter Vigil. This preparation is a process which extends over time, based on the needs, questions, and situation of the individual seeking to be initiated.Because the process is marked by celebration of various rituals included in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and because those in process are members of the Order of Christian Initiation, it is sometimes referred to as R.C.I.A. or O.C.I.A.

• Those who are unbaptized and seeking to become informed about Catholicism. 
• Those who are baptized in another faith tradition and seeking to become informed about Catholicism or who have already decided to become Roman Catholic. 
• Those who are baptized Catholics who have not participated in the life and faith of the Church and seeking to now complete their initiation through Confirmation and Eucharist.

Does this process also apply to children who wish to become Catholic?

If a child is age 6 or older when they or their families seek full initiation in the Catholic Church, they will also enter the process known as RCIA. Always, the family and/or caregiver is involved in the initiation process with the children since they will be the primary house church in which the children will be involved following their initiation. Sometimes, the children will prepare for initiation concurrently with one or both of their parents.If a child is age 5-6 and unbaptized, he/she will participate in the religious formation program of the parish in preparation for their baptism, as developmentally appropriate to their age. The family will also participate in the adult formation process for baptism preparation. These children are not, however, considered part of the RCIA. Children younger than 6 years of age are considered infants and toddlers and follow the infant baptism guidelines of the parish.

Other than age (as mentioned before), a sincere desire to seek one's relationship with God and with the people of God, and a desire to possibly become Catholic, there are no requirements. 

What can I expect from the Initiation process?

Evening meetings are held weekly, and last approximately 1 and 1/2 hours. There are also Sunday morning meetings during the ten weeks of Advent and Lent. 

• reflective discussion and open forum type question and answer sessions 
• scripture based faith-sharing and familiarity with Catholic doctrine 
• instructional sessions regarding the basics of Catholicism 
• participation in various rituals and liturgical or prayer experiences 
• mornings or evenings of reflection and one retreat 
• Support from the RCIA team, the pastoral staff, and your sponsors throughout the process