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What does it mean to be a Catholic?

Asked in a deeper way, the question is "How may I become a more loving person?" For Catholics, that path of loving is built on the Good News of Jesus Christ. We study our faith. We are active members of our community. We worship together with grateful hearts. We reach out in love to serve those in need. The sacramental rites of Christian initiation encompasses the practice of those four principles.

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What is Inquiry?

Inquiry is chance to explore the Catholic Church and Old Saint Mary's! It's a time to ask any questions you may have about faith and to discuss your life in relation to them: Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? What is the Church? What do the Scriptures mean, and how do we read them? What are the Sacraments, and what does it mean to celebrate them?

Inquiry is also the first step in a process of becoming a formal member of the Catholic Church, also known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or simply, R.C.I.A. R.C.I.A. is a process of preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist in anticipation of a life of Christian faith within the Roman Catholic community. It is open to those who are not baptized, to Christians of other traditions, as well as to Catholics who did not complete either Eucharist or Confirmation.

Inquiry is open-ended and lasts until members of the group are prepared to make a more formal commitment to the Catholic community. It is important to note that at any time an individual may decide to end the process or postpone moving on to the next phase. If this occurs, we continue Inquiry for those who wish it.

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What is the next step?

The second period of the R.C.I.A. is called the Catechunate. Catechumen means "one who studies," and this time is dedicated to a more in-depth study of the Scriptures and the specific teachings of the Church. What do the life and teachings of Jesus tell is about how we should live? How does the life of the Church support discipleship in Christ? Catechumentate lasts until the beginning of the season of Lent in late winter. Lent means Spring, and is a period of reflection and preparation for Easter.

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Who are the Elect?

With the first Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the third period of R.C.I.A. known as Election or Purification. Participants in the R.C.I.A. process, are now called the Elect. They focus on prayer and interior preparation for the reception of the sacraments during the six weeks of Lent. Themes from the season of Lent increase our awareness of the cost of discipleship, and the commitment each of us is asked to make to the call of one bread, one body.

Election ends with a day of retreat on Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Easter. The Elect celebrate full initiation into the Church with the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist during the great Easter Vigil on the following Saturday night. Their initiation is part of the whole Church's celebration of new life available to all of us in the resurrection of Jesus. Having passed over into the priestly ministry of God's people, they receive the name of Neophytes, which means "one who is newly planted in the faith."

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What is a Neophyte?

The last phase of R.C.I.A. is called the Mystagogia, and extends through the fifty days of the Easter season. Unlike the last two phases, the neophytes remain with the community for the entire mass. They continue to meet to relate more deeply on what sharing the Lord's Table is about and to discover how to live this faith beyond the R.C.I.A. program. The fiftieth day of Easter, Pentecost Sunday, formally ends the initiation as well as the meetings.

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Sign me up!

Inquiry classes begin in the fall, but you can begin your exploration of faith any time! Please contact Fr Bart Landry at (415) 288-3817 to let us know you are interested in the Inquiry phase of the R.C.I.A. process. Our primary concern is to help people experience God's love and mercy in their own lives.

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