This is a process of study and prayer with Baptism or Profession of Faith, Confirmation, and First Eucharist taking place usually at the Easter Vigil. RCIA classes are open to all parishioners. Parishioners are welcome to attend, renew, and deepen their understanding of the teaching and traditions of the Catholic Church while supporting RCIA candidates. Volunteers are needed to assist in the candidate preparation process, provide snacks, and act as sponsors for all candidates. No training is required, but be prepared to share your faith in a very practical manner.

Rites of Christian Initiation

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, individuals are baptized into the Catholic Church at Saint Boniface through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Listed below are some questions and answers about the process of Christian Initiation.

What are the steps of Christian Initiation?

Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church.After a conversation with a priest, deacon or a parish director of Christian Initiation, the person, known as an "inquirer," may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite of Acceptance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen.

The Period of the Catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church.

The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

Sessions begin in early September.  For more information, please contact Fr. Jeff Goeckner at jgoeckner@dio.org or 618.656.6450.

What is meant by coming into full communion with the Church?

Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. In most cases, these individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although some preparation may be with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities. The Candidates may be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil or at another Sunday during the year depending on pastoral circumstances and readiness of the Candidate.  Christ the King Sunday and the Fourth Sunday of Lent are designated Sundays for the Rite of Full Communion with the Church.

A minimum of four sessions are required for most baptized Christians including:  Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation and Eucharist and service.  Some Candidates may desire more catechesis.  This can be discussed with the priest or the director of the process. For more information, please contact Fr. Jeff Goeckner at jgoeckner@dio.org or 618.656.6450.