Becoming a Catholic (RCIA)

Introduction

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the journey by which those interested in becoming Catholics are prepared for baptism at Easter.  The journey consists of weekly sessions where the faith is discussed and explained; and a series of liturgies or rites which are milestones on the way.  Prayer and reflection sessions are in person and we also have Exploring Catholicism online sessions where we dive deeper into the theology of the previous session. These happen on alternate weeks. Those taking the journey (who are known by the ancient name catechumens – those who hear the echo of the Christian faith in their own hearts and beliefs) are accompanied by Catholics who instruct them and share their own experience.

Many who take these steps towards becoming Catholics are already baptised.  All Christian baptism is accepted by the Catholic Church (there is no re-baptism) and so these catechumens are ‘received into the Catholic Church’ at Easter by celebrating the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist.

The RCIA course at Sacred Heart Church is structured in three parts:

  • in the autumn, the catechumens explore encounter with the person of Jesus from different perspectives and begin to learn how to recognize the risen Christ at work in their own lives;

  • from January and leading up to baptism (or reception into the Church) at Easter, the catechumens look at the ways in which God called and redeemed his people in Old Testament times; and there are the rites of election and scrutiny through which they engage more deeply with the Catholic community;

  • after Easter comes a period known as mystagogia during which the mysteries of the Easter celebration (baptism, confirmation and eucharist) are explored and assimilated with greater depth.

Adults who feel they are ready to embark on the journey towards baptism (or reception) into the Catholic faith are invited to apply for the RCIA programme.  This involves a one-to-one interview with the programme leader.  There needs to be a solid intention to seek baptism (or reception) but there is no final commitment until the Rite of Election, which takes place in the presence of the bishop – the leader of the Catholic community in Edinburgh.

Our RCIA programme invites participants to share their experience of God, and to listen to the experience of others.  This sharing is done in a prayerful way and the programme offers the opportunity to deepen your spirituality and learn ways of praying.  Out of this prayerful sharing comes an exploration of Scripture, the teaching of the Church, and the experience of Christian life in the Catholic Church.  It is, therefore, important that everyone in the group commits to attending all the sessions and liturgies.

Contact

To find out more, ask questions, or register for this year’s RCIA programme, please contact Andrew Cassidy at ejcpastoral@jesuit.org.uk

If you have missed the start of the programme, it may still be possible to include you.  Please get in touch.

The Programme

Part I – Autumn

Session 1 – Wednesday 7th October 7pm
Introduction to RCIA
An introduction and overview of the RCIA programme with the chance to ask questions.  We will explore the way in which different people experience the spiritual life and what helps them to flourish as followers of Jesus Christ.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 14th October 7pm (On Zoom)
An introduction to the Bible and the way Catholics understand scriptures.

Liturgy – Sunday 18th October 10.30am
Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate
As they begin their catechumenate journey, RCIA participants are welcomed by the parish community at Sunday Mass.  The parish community is asked to pray for them and accompany them on their journey towards Easter and baptism.

Session 2 – Wednesday 21st October 7pm
Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life
This session takes the encounter between Jesus and Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10) as a way of exploring our own relationship to Jesus and how each of us is called to holiness.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 28th October 7pm (On Zoom)
The call to holiness: prayer and the spiritual life, worship, belief, and gospel values.

Session 3 – Wednesday 4th November 7pm
Christ the Icon of God
By exploring different images of God, we explore how Christ Jesus is the image of the living God.  The scripture we will use is St Paul’s letter to the Colossians 1:15-23

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 11 November 7pm (On Zoom)
What can we, and can’t we, say about God?

Session 4 – Wednesday 18th November 7pm
Christ, the Teacher
In this session, we will explore the role of Christ as Teacher by reflecting on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-16) and Jesus’ teaching on the commandment of love (Matthew 22:34-40).

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 25th November 7pm (On Zoom)
The teaching of the Catholic Church - What it is? And how do we understand it?

Session 5 – Wednesday 2nd December 7pm
Christ, the Healer
In this session, we look at the healing ministry of Christ by exploring Jesus’ encounter with the man born blind (John 9:1-41).  We will look at our personal need for healing.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 9th December 7pm (On Zoom)
The doctrine of salvation and how it is lived out in the Church’s sacraments.

Retreat Day - Saturday 12th December 2pm-4.30pm
Towards the end of this first part of the RCIA programme, we gather for an afternoon to pray, reflect and share experience of our encounter with God through the person of Jesus Christ.

Session 6 – Wednesday 13th December 7pm
Christ, God and Man
Christians hold that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine: God and man.  We explore this idea by looking at the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-2:15) and examining the theology of St Anselm of Canterbury (Why God Became Man 7).

Part II – January to Easter

Session 7 – Wednesday 13th January 7pm
God the Creator
In this session, we will hear the story of creation in the Book of Genesis (1:1-31) and in the Psalms (Psalm 104), exploring the relationship between the eternal God and temporal creation.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 20th January 7pm (On Zoom)
The teaching of the Catholic Church on creation and the care of our common home.

Session 8 – Wednesday 27th January 7pm
God of the Covenants
In this session, we will explore the five covenants of the Old Testament (with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant spoken of by Jeremiah and Ezekiel).

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 3rd February 7pm (On Zoom)
Remembering the Exodus in the Jewish and Christian traditions

Liturgy – Wednesday 10th February 12-noon
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and the period of immediate preparation for baptism (or reception into the Catholic Church) at Easter.  You are encouraged to attend Mass on this day

Liturgy – Sunday 14th February 12-noon
The Rite of Election
The Rite of Election marks the entry of the catechumens into the final phase of their preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation.  This rite takes place at the Cathedral in the presence of the bishop.

Session 9 – Wednesday 24th February 7pm
The God of Moses
In this session, we will explore the story of Moses – how God revealed himself to Moses and the significance of his identity as ‘I am who I am’ (Exodus 3:1-6).  We will also discuss the ten commandments and the Jewish Law and how this is developed in the New Testament.

Session 10 – Wednesday 3rd March 7pm
The Spirit of God
In this session, we look at the faithfulness of God to his people, despite their constant turning away from him (Ezekiel 36:28), and the giving of his Spirit in the story of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Liturgy – Sunday 7th March 10.30am
First Scrutiny
At the Sunday liturgy, catechumens are presented with the Creed (or Symbol of Faith) and are invited to read, learn and understand this ancient statement of Christian belief.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 10th March 7pm (On Zoom)
God the Holy Spirit

Liturgy – Sunday 14th March 7pm
Second Scrutiny
At the Sunday liturgy, catechumens are presented with the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father . . .) and encouraged to make it part of their daily prayer.  Christians traditionally pray the Lord’s Prayer three times each day.

Session 11 – Wednesday 17th March 7pm
God the Redeemer
We explore the ideas of sin and redemption using the stories of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-24) and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). 

Liturgy – Sunday 21st March 10.30am
Third Scrutiny
At the Sunday liturgy, the catechumens are anointed with the Oil of Catechumens – a rite of strengthening in faith and preparation for Easter.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 24th March 7pm (On Zoom)
Sin and forgiveness - the ministry and sacrament of reconciliation

Liturgy – Saturday 27th March 9pm
The Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday) is the high point and great liturgy of the Christian year.  It is now that the catechumens are baptised (or received into the Church) and take full part in the Eucharist for the first time.

Part III – After Easter

Session 12 – Wednesday 14th April 7pm
The Spirit in the Church in the Eucharist
In this session, we will discuss the importance of the eucharist in the life of the Church, exploring its origins in the Last Supper.  We will share our own experiences of receiving the eucharist for the first time and the ways in which eucharist shapes our faith journey.  The scripture we will use is 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and Matthew 26:26-30.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 21st April 7pm (On Zoom)
The theology of the Eucharist.

Session 13 – Wednesday 28th April 7pm
The Spirit in the Church - the Christian Community
In this session, we will discuss the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) and what it means to be a member of the Christian community. We will explore our own experience of being welcomed into the Christian community and how this has impacted our lives in the past weeks.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 5th May 7pm (On Zoom)
Models of the Church.

Session 14 – Wednesday 12th May 7pm
The Spirit in the Church in Witness to the Faith
In this session, we will explore the mission of two of the most influential figures in early Christianity, St Peter and St Paul, examining how their actions led to the spread of Christianity throughout the known world.  We will discuss some of their key writings.  We will also explore how God has called each of us in our unique vocation.   The scripture we will use is Acts 9:1-9 and Acts 12:1-11.

Exploring Catholicism - Wednesday 19th May 7pm (On Zoom)
The story of the Church.

Liturgy – Sunday 16 May 7pm
Second Scrutiny
Pentecost is the birth day of the Church and, in this session, we will explore the significance of this major Christian feast day, discussing how it enables the Church to develop.   We will share something of our own life experience and discuss how we can spread the gospel message.