Adult Catholic Confirmation

What is R.C.I.A. ?    It is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults who wish to take adult Confirmation classes to become members of the Catholic Church.  Children who were not baptized as infants also attend an adapted process of this rite.
           
At the time of the Second Vatican Council (October 11, 1962 thru December 8, 1965) it was determined the current state of then initiation rites needed to be changed in order to adapt the sacrament of initiation toward pastoral needs of the contemporary Church.  The Church then published four documents: Christian Initiation: General Introduction, Rite of Baptism for Children, Rite of Confirmation and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (which has become known as RCIA). Each has had a profound effect on Church life in the United States.
           
R.C.I.A. restores the order of Baptism Confirmation and Eucharist (Communion) to better emphasize the interconnectedness of these sacraments. These sacraments of initiation are part of an ongoing process throughout Christian life.  The 'faith journey' represents a true conversion process that involves the whole life of the candidate connected to the whole life of the Church.
           
In 2000, the Journey to the Fullness of Life: A Report on the Implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the United States was published by the Bishops of the United States.  The study affirmed that faith formation is a lifelong process and that the initiation of catechumens is 'a gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful."

 “There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” Ephesians 4:5

           
The first step in becoming a Catholic as an adult through R.C.I.A. is the rite of acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.  The Church accepts the Candidates intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ. This is followed by the 'Period of the Catechumenate' which nurtures the faith and conversion to God through Confirmation classes for adults
           
The second step, 'Election or Enrollment of Names' is a liturgical rite generally celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent.  In this rite the Church formally ratifies the catechumens' readiness to receive the sacraments of initiation.  The catechumens express their will to receive these sacraments through Confirmation as an adult.
           
During the Lenten Season then the catechumens enter into a time of reflection centered on conversion, the presentation and preparation rites to take place on Holy Saturday.
            The third step is the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation which takes place at the Easter Vigil (the evening of Holy Saturday) when the catechumens are initiated into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.