RCIA Catholic Come to Christ

Catechesis: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Rite/Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

The baptismal catechumenate or Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the model for all catechesis in that it leads to conversion of the believer which is rooted in Scripture, held in example of the Sunday liturgy, respects the former baptism of the believer, helps them become community involved, forms them as disciples, guides them in timing in their Catholic-Christian journey, and shows the models and necessities of Catholic Christian prayer and rituals. (Module 2 slide 13) This four stage process includes rituals that can be applied to any parish religious education program. The National Directory for Catechesis says, “The baptismal catechumenate is both ‘a process of formation and a true school of the faith’ [since] It is a blend of instruction and formation in the faith…in gradual stages” (116). One might say that it is like the Gentile becoming a Christ-like disciple in the times of the apostles.

​ One form of religious education program that has been effective in the later years of adults who are coming back to the faith is the Catholic Come Home to Christ viewing and discussion program. At our parish during faith formation times, this program, which also airs on EWTN, helps those who may have been far from the Catholic Church discern for themselves if there is a place for them to come back to the mother Church. Usually, these are post-baptismal adults in their adult or young adult years that missed out on childhood Catholic education or confirmation in their teenage years and want to reconcile their beliefs with and about the Catholic Church and leave the past behind. The program is wonderful, discussion based, and helps one reflect on life in the Church again post-baptismal catechumenate and start the RCIA process as a neophyte with a baptismal certificate from whatever parish their parents baptized them as a child. Sometimes, being baptized in faith traditions that are similar to the Catholic faith is all right for certain parishes as well and respected.

​I know that for me, the Catholic Come Home to Christ program both on air and in person was a pivotal part of me making the decision to come back to the Catholic faith and still keep the Catholic faith at home when I do watch EWTN and it airs. The personal conversion that I had with it and alongside my formal catechesis training helped me find meaning and solace in many of the rituals, prayers, and process of the Paschal Mystery as a renewed conversion to Christ and his Church. That alongside with my ardor for learning more at St. Leo in this Masters of Arts Theology program reflects “a continual conversion to Christ and an ongoing initiation into the celebration if the sacraments and the life of the Church” (116). That, along with the mystery of the Eucharist, keeps me striving for holiness and faithful to being fully Catholic.

Works Cited

Clement, Patricia. D. Min. Module 2. Web. Accessed. September 17, 2018

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. National Directory for Catechesis

Washington: USCCB Publishing, 2005. Print. ISBN: 978-1-57455-443-4