Below you will find text and notes for the various rites in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Please know that the 2022-2023 year will be a year of transition – both because of the gradual revisions of the RCIA/OCIA process being undertaken at the national level and with the episcopal transition in our own Diocese. Please be patient in awaiting dates for the Diocesan liturgies. We will have them for you as soon as possible.
Rites and Prayer Resources from the Office of Worship
Rite of Acceptance Text (Word) (Coming soon!)
Article – The First Major Gateway: The Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming (Assoc. for Catechumenal Ministry)
Video: Six Signs of Readiness for the Rite of Acceptance (Team RCIA)
The Rite of Welcoming happens at the parish in the late Fall. It is designed to welcome the baptized members of the RCIA into the community and prepare them for formation and entrance into the Catholic Church.
Binder Insert – Rite of Welcoming the Candidates (pdf)
Article – The First Major Gateway: The Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming (Assoc. for Catechumenal Ministry)
Sunday, January 9th, 2022 at 3:30 pm Location: SS Simon and Jude Cathedral
Attendance: All those in RCIA who were previously baptized and who will be accepted into the Roman Catholic Church at Easter time may participate. Family, friends, and RCIA team members are welcome to attend.
RCIA Coordinators/Directors are asked to RSVP their intention to participate in the Rite by December 15, 2021.
2022 Rite of Sending ~ March 6th, 2022
The Rite of Sending the Catechumens for Election typically takes place within a Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. After that Mass, or after the dismissal of the Catechumens, they sign the book of the Elect. That afternoon, the Catechumens, their sponsors and the RCIA coordinator attend the Rite of Election at SS Simon and Jude Cathedral.
Sunday, March 6th, 2022 at 3:30 pm Location: SS Simon and Jude Cathedral
Attendance: Open to all those in RCIA who will be baptized at the Easter vigil. Due to space limitations and the high level of participation in this event. Parishes must limit their attendees to catechumens, one sponsor per catechumen, and the RCIA coordinator/director only.
RCIA Coordinators/Directors received registration information through the Praenotanda Newsletter sent on February 8th, and must submit it by February 22, 2022. All attendees are ticketed and seating is assigned.
First Scrutiny – March 20, 2022
Each parish with a catechumen must devote at least one Mass of the Third Sunday of Lent to the First Scrutiny. The Readings at that Mass must be from Year A. A parish may opt to have other Masses also read from Year A, but doing so deprives the larger congregation of the full scope of the Lenten readings.
The First Scrutiny Text (Word doc)
Primer Escrutinio (Word)
Second Scrutiny – March 27, 2022
Each parish with a catechumen must devote at least one Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Lent to the Second Scrutiny. The Readings at that Mass must be from Year A. A parish may opt to have other Masses also read from Year A, but doing so deprives the larger congregation of the full scope of the Lenten readings.
Second Scrutiny Text (Word doc)
Segundo Escrutinio (Word)
Each parish with a catechumen must devote at least one Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Lent to the Third Scrutiny. The Readings at that Mass must be from Year A. A parish may opt to have other Masses also read from Year A, but doing so deprives the larger congregation of the full scope of the Lenten readings.
Third Scrutiny Text (Word doc)
Tercer Escrutinio (Word)
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Saturday, April 16th, 2022
The Elect (unbaptized who have gone through the Rite of Election) are baptized during the parish Easter Vigil. They receive all their sacraments at once – Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion in the same Mass.
RCIA Rite of Baptism and Confirmation for the Easter Vigil (coming soon)
Sunday, April 17th, 2022
Typically those who have been baptized in other Christian faith traditions are received into the church and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion during a morning Mass on Easter Sunday. Candidates for Confirmation should make their first confession in the week before their Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
RCIA Rite of Confirmation for Adults (coming soon)
RICA Rito de Confirmacion para los Adultos