Adults or teenagers who are interested in the RCIA Process, the process of Catholic Christian Initiation, for 2022-2023 may call the Religious Education office for information: 610-539-6080, Option 6 to speak with Sister Diane Marie or simply e-mail: sister.diane@visitationbvmschool.org
The R.C.I.A., Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process designed for adults who freely seek the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. The Community of the faithful supports catechumens and candidates by reflecting on the Paschal Mystery with them. Four periods comprise this process: Inquiry, Cathechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogia. Sessions are held weekly on Wednesday evenings. Special Rites are celebrated throughout the year on the designated Sundays. The Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist are celebrated in the Easter Season for individuals who have made their spiritual preparation through this process. For Information on the RCIA Process at Visitation B.V.M. Parish, please call Sister Diane Marie, DRE, at the Religious Education Office 610.539.6080, Option 6 or e-mail Sister at sister.diane@visitationbvmschool.org
The Visitation Parish RCIA Process is available to all interested individuals who would like to learn about and reflect upon the Catholic Faith. It is the process which comprises four stages: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment and Mystagogia.The process is designed for those candidates who are seeking entrance into the Church. Both those to be baptized and those baptized in another Faith or denomination are invited to participate in this process each year.
The process here at Visitation begins with an Open House on Wednesday, September 4th in the Larkin Center at 7:00 P.M. If anyone among our parish family knows a family member, friend, or neighbor who has expressed interest and desire to you, please invite them to the Open House. Each one of us might be the voice of the Holy Spirit who brings another individual to the journey of Faith. There may be someone in the Congregation now who has been worshipping with us who may be discerning the call to be Catholic. We invite you cordially to “come and see” on Wednesday evening, September 1th. After this Wednesday, the sessions take place weekly in the Larkin Center on Wednesdays from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
In addition to offering this process to new candidates or those who wish to renew and update their Faith, we would welcome volunteers to serve as Parish sponsors to assist new candidates on their journey.
Period of Inquiry -- The individual asks questions and listens to guided reflections, along with a few initial instructions on basics of our rich Catholic Faith.
Period of the Catechumenate -- This period focuses on instructions and presentations of the truths of our Catholic Faith, the life and teachings of Jesus, the Commandments, Prayer, the Sacraments and Morality.
Period of the Purification and Enlightenment -- This period begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until the conclusion of Lent on Holy Thursday afternoon. Those individuals who celebrate the Rite of Election and are named "The Elect" by the Archbishop or his designee enter into a "mini-retreat" time to look within themselves and reflect deeply on their journey of faith. The Scrutinies, special rites of introspection and penance, are celebrated during this time.
Mystagogia -- This period is the celebration of the "mystery." Jesus is the focus of our celebration as the "Elect" and "Candidates for Full Initiation" have now received the Sacraments of Baptism (The Elect), Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The Sacrament of Reconciliation has also been celebrated for the first time by those who were already Baptized in another Christian Faith. The Mystagogia goes on for the days of the Easter Season and indeed, in a very special sense, FOREVER.