RCIA Introduction Notes

Every year, during the Easter Vigil which occurs on Holy Saturday (the Saturday evening before Easter), men and women choosing to enter the church are received into the Catholic Church. The Catholic parish welcomes these new members through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at a liturgy (Holy Mass) bringing these men and women into full communion with the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

What is meant by "full communion with the Catholic Church?"  Applying this statement within the context of the OCIA is meant for those who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Faith. Such initiation requires the person to receive any or all of the sacraments that are missing to complete the full initiation. These sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion).  

Individuals from other Christian Denominations who have already received a legitimate Christian Baptism will seek to undergo the sacrament of Reconciliation and then receive Confirmation and the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. This fulfills  "full Communion with the Catholic Church." These individuals as Catechumens make a profession of faith but may not be baptized again and only receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. 

All other persons starting as non-Christians need all of the sacraments of initiation. In the RCIA process, they become Catechumens. As such, they follow a course of faith formation. Typically this is done in a group with other Catechumens. 

For the various Catechumens, the emphasis may be different. The difference can occur especially if they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ and have been active members of other Christian communities or those baptized Catholics needing the remaining sacraments for full initiation.