An RCIA Reflection
As a cradle Catholic, I am a little jealous of the RCIA* candidates. Is there anything more joyful than seeing adults making a commitment to their faith life and to the Catholic church? The Easter Vigil is such a beautiful experience for them and for me as well, as I am reminded again of the importance of the sacraments.
As much as I love the Easter Vigil, one of my favorite moments in the RCIA process is the Rite of Acceptance*. At my parish, this Rite includes a moment when each person answers this question: "What are you hoping for from the Catholic church?" The responses that come from the 15-20 adults are so honest and inspiring. Each person has a very personal reason why he or she was seeking to become Catholic, but each response resonated with me in some way. One of the candidates said that he wanted to be able to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist with our community. In that moment, I was reminded again of the grace that comes through the Eucharist and the community of believers that makes up a parish community.
I didn't know anyone this year who was in the RCIA process, but last year a good friend was brought into the church at the Easter vigil. It was a privilege to share that moment with him and to experience his joy, but I had to admit that I don't need to know the people involved to be moved by sharing in their sacramental initiation into the church. I wish it happened more often. A few years ago, I took a class with Keenan Osborne, a very prominent sacramental theologian. He said that he wished that Confirmation wasn't a once in a lifetime experience, but something that we could do over and over again. He painted a picture of a parish community that would have these moments-perhaps eight times a year-when the community would pause during liturgy to hear the story of why people were being called again to confirm their commitment to their faith and the Catholic church. He spoke about how those moments would remind the whole community of what they believed and perhaps inspire others to take a more serious look at their own faith growth.
RCIA is our current practice of the picture that Osborne painted. It is only once a year, but it is a moment in the church's life that causes me to pause and re-examine my own call to faithful living. As Bob Hurd sings in Put on Christ, "We have seen God's saving love in an earthly time and place; God's own glory in a human face." (sound sample) The faces of the RCIA candidates as they are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist are a reflection of the glory of God. As Paul says to the Corinthians, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2 Cor 5:17)
Now that our parishes are full of new Catholics, it becomes our job to join in their enthusiasm for their faith and the church. How can each of us connect again with the joy of belonging and the discovery of a God who loves us unconditionally? How can we challenge ourselves to continue to grow in faith so that we come, again and again, to a greater understanding of the Catholic faith? Let us become a "new creation" with them during this Easter season.
We pray:
Lord of all, we offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the new Catholics who have entered our church this year. Help us to join in their enthusiasm and in their quest for the fullness of your love and life within the church. Amen.
*RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Since 1972, it is the way that the Catholic Church initiates adults into the Church. RCIA stresses formation in doctrine, liturgy, Church life, and service and involves the larger Church community in welcoming, instructing, helping and praying for Candidates.
RCIA has four stages. The first is the Period of Inquiry, for those who are seeking more information. The second stage is the Rite of Acceptance, where adults continue to learn about the Church and share faith. The third stage is the Rite of Election which begins the First Sunday of Lent and culminates at the Easter Vigil with the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and eucharist. The final stage is called Mystagogia, where the newly baptized focus on the mysteries of Christ's death and resurrection.
Related Articles:
- A New Look at the RCIA: Journey for the Entire Parish, by Rita Burns Senseman, Catholic Update, May 2002.
- Tune in to the Sacramental Mindset, by Sean Reynolds, Youth Update, April 2004.
Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.