1. Overview of the RCIA PROCESS
St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church
October 1, 2017

2. OVERVIEW OF THE RCIA PROCESS
Period(Name)/ Purpose/Rite
† Evangelization (Inquirers)
Evangelization
Rite of Acceptance
† Catechumenate (Catechumens/Candidates)
Apprenticeship
Rite of Sending (First Sunday of Lent)
Rite of Election (First Sunday of Lent)
Purification/Illumination (Elect)
Reflection and Repentance
Sacraments of Initiation (Easter Vigil Mass)
Mystagogy (Neophytes)
Immersion into mystery
Easter to Pentecost
11/27/2018 1

3. EVANGELIZATION PERIOD
Purpose - to answer general questions about Catholicism - a time of seeking information and initial conversion
Time - no time limit: It may be as short or as long as the inquirer needs
Exit criteria: dependent on the discernment of the inquirer!
Rite of Passage: Rite of Acceptance
11/27/2018

4. CATECHUMENATE PERIOD
Purpose: to Strengthen Faith, establish a basis of Christian Knowledge, desire to change our outlook and conduct, and begin to gain a sense of mystery of salvation
Time: no time limit
Exit criteria: dependent on the discernment of the Catechumenate and Church
Rite of Passage: Rite of Sending and Election
11/27/2018

5. THE PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
Purpose: to deepen ones faith like being on a six week retreat
Time: the six weeks of Lent, or, no time limit
Exit criteria: firm commitment of faith to follow all aspects of Christian life
Rite of Passage: Receiving of the Sacraments on the vigil of Easter
11/27/2018

6. PERIOD OF MYSTAGOGY
Purpose: a time to savor the meaning of the sacramental experience
to deepen the Christian experience;
to grow spiritually;
to enter more fully into the life and unity of the community
Time: Specifically - from Easter to Pentecost
Generally - from Easter to our birth in Heaven
Exit criteria: n/a
Rite of Passage: n/a
11/27/2018

7. GRAPHICAL OVERVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL RCIA SACRAMENTAL PROCESS
Mystagogy
Purification/Illumination Phase
First Scrutiny - 3rd Sunday of Lent
Second Scrutiny - 4th Sunday of Lent
Third Scrutiny - 5th Sunday of Lent
Sacraments of Initiation, and
the Rite of Reception into
Full Communion of the
Catholic Church
Date: Easter Vigil Mass
Rite of Sending
Rite of Election
Catechumens for Election, and
Candidates for Recognition
Date: First Sunday of Lent
Catechumenate Phase
Rite of Acceptance
Evangelization Phase
11/27/2018

8. GRAPHICAL OVERVIEW OF ST. PATRICK’S RCIA SACRAMENTAL PROCESS
Mystagogy
Purification/Illumination Phase
First Scrutiny - 3rd Sunday of Lent
Second Scrutiny - 4th Sunday of Lent
Third Scrutiny - 5th Sunday of Lent
Sacraments of Initiation, and
the Rite of Reception into
Full Communion of the
Catholic Church
Date: Easter Vigil Mass
Catechumenate Phase
Rite of Sending
Rite of Election
Catechumens for Election, and
Candidates for Recognition
Date: First Sunday of Lent
Start Here
Evangelization Phase
Rite of Acceptance
11/27/2018

9. GRAPHICAL OVERVIEW OF ST. PATRICK’S YEAR LONG RCIA PROCESS
Pentacost
Bible Basics
Purification/
Illumination
Mystagogy
Evangelization/
Catechumenate
Easter Vigil Mass:
When non-Catholics
Enter the
Catholic Church
March 31, 2018
~May 20, 2018
October 1
August 19, 2018
Rite of Sending/
Rite of Election
February 18, 2018
11/27/2018