The Catholic Church has a very beautiful program known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). For most of us cradle Catholics this is something foreign because we are born in the faith. But for the unbaptized or those baptized in a different Christian belief this is a process that they have to go through to become full, participating members of the Catholic Church.
In this program the participants known as catechumens nurture their relationship with God, profess their faith in Jesus, study the Gospel, and familiarize themselves with the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. At the end of the program catechumens receive the Sacraments of Initiation, namely: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion during the Easter Vigil. But note that the process does not end there because as now being full-pledged Catholics their work of spiritual enrichment continues just like for those born and raised in the Catholic faith.
This coming Easter let us all joyfully welcome our new brothers and sisters in Christ. And for those discerning to be part of the Catholic faith please feel free to approach any of your pastors or the diocesan RCIA team to get more information or start the process.
