Deacon Vince Vaillancourt

May 13-14, 2023

 Introduction

 Goals for the weekend

• Learn something about RCIA
• Prepare you for your 2023-24 practicum
• Time to relax and fellowship
 Why do we have this weekend?
• Why do we have this weekend?
• Every parish in the Diocese has some form of RCIA / RCIY /
RCIC for those desiring to enter the faith
• Many deacons are involved with RCIA one way or another in
their parish
• Subject Matter Expert
• Presenter
• Spiritual Support – Prayer, Rites, Retreats, etc.
• Director

• Give you a reference to get you started if you are asked

(assigned) to assist with or lead the program in your parish

• Even if you are not ordained – what you learn here will help if
you ever decide to volunteer for the ministry
 Some Caveats
• No exam on Sunday or homework afterwards

• We will “touch lightly” on the recent changes to RCIA >>> OCIA

• We will focus on the program structure itself
• Roles the Deacon may be called upon to fill

• The focus will be on the adult program (RCIA).

• Essentially the same process carries over to the RICY and RCIC programs
• Some parishes have one combined RCIA/RCIY/RCIC program, others have separate
groups.

• IMPORTANT – EVERY parish is unique and implements RCIA differently

• Special needs of the parish – demographics, culture
• Facilities limitations – meeting rooms
• Volunteers – some parishes have a large cadre of volunteers, others not so many
• Participation by the clergy – Pastor, priests, and Deacons
 Some Caveats - 2
• Most of the handouts are from the RCIA programs at St. Elizabeth Ann
Seton, Plano, St. Jude, Allen, and St. Joseph, Richardson

• Some documentation has been taken from the RCIA web pages of
several Dioceses – credit given when used

• The Diocese of Dallas has made some local adaptations due to the
numbers of Catechumens and Candidates received each year.
• These will be called out

• I AM NOT PERFECT – I suspect there are some errors in the presentation

• If you find something – have compassion on me 😊
• Bonus points for uncovering a heresy
 Some Caveats - 3
• When you finish this weekend
• You will NOT be an expert – don’t pretend to be one . . .

• You should have learned (and retained) enough to have an “intelligent

conversation” with the leader of the parish program you will be assigned to

• “To serve and not be served”

• Glossary – see handout

 History of Adult Initiation
• Conversion of Cornelius’ household – Acts 10:44-48

The Baptism of Cornelius . . . While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit
fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had
accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been
poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and
glorifying God. Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing
these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?” He ordered them to
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

• “RCIA History” from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate

• Prior to Vatican II
• Couples’ instruction for those getting married
• Personal instruction by a priest
Personal story #1
 Vatican II Restoration

• Ad Gentes 13-14
“Those who, through the Church, have accepted from God a belief in Christ
are admitted to the catechumenate by liturgical rites. The catechumenate is
not a mere expounding of doctrines and precepts, but a training period in
the whole Christian life, and an apprenticeship duty drawn out, during which
disciples are joined to Christ their teacher. Therefore, catechumens should be
properly instructed in the mystery of salvation and in the practice of Gospel
morality, and by sacred rites which are to be held at successive intervals,
they should be introduced into the life of faith, of liturgy, and of love, which
is led by the People of God.”
 Table Exercise #1

Reasons people come to RCIA

 RCIA is a PROCESS
• Diocese of Brooklyn –
• “The catechumenal process is not a program. Programs have a fixed
length of time and a determined course of studies. No one can
“program” the Holy Spirit as he moves individuals to conversion; each
conversion journey is unique.”

• “While we do things systemically and make a calendar of events each

year, we must also pay close attention to the fact that this is an
individual process and a conversion journey for each inquirer.”

• Three distinct aspects – all equally important

• Liturgical
• Catechetical
• Pastoral

• These must be balanced; one cannot take priority over

the others
 RCIA Overview
 Four periods – actual length may vary by parish (see Diocese of Brooklyn)
 Inquiry – 1 to 2 months
 Catechumenate – 3-5 months
 Purification and Enlightenment - Lent
 Mystagogy – 4 to 8 weeks following Easter

 Major Rites which transition from one period to the next

 Inquiry to Catechumenate (Fall)
 Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
 Rite of Welcoming the Candidates

 Catechumenate to Purification & Enlightenment (Spring)

 Rite of Sending Catechumens for Election
 Election or Enrollment of Names
 Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion
 Three Scrutinies for the Elect
 RCIA Overview - 2
 Structured catechesis on the Deposit of Faith

 Participation in the life of the church through service

 Reception into the church during the Easter Vigil

 Sacraments of Initiation
 Reception into the Church

 Minor Rites throughout the year

 Minor Exorcisms
 Blessing of the Catechumens and Candidates
 Anointing of the Catechumens
 Presentations of the Lord’s Prayer and Creed

 Handout – RCIA Process Overview

 Catechumens & Candidates
 A Catechumen (from Latin catechumenus, Greek κατηχουμενος,
instructed) is one receiving instruction in the principles of the
Christian religion with a view to baptism.

 A Candidate is one who is already validly baptized in another

Christian faith and will be received into the church by making a
Profession of Faith.

 A Catholic Candidate is someone who was baptized Catholic but not

catechized as a child (have not received first Eucharist) and are now
returning to the church to complete their initiation.
 Note – the use of the term “Candidate” typically encompasses BOTH Candidate
and Catholic Candidate
 Catechumens & Candidates - 2
 “Validly Baptized”
 Baptized using the Trinitarian Formula
 “I baptize you . . . in the name of the Father [water] . . . and of the Son [water] . . . and of the
Holy Spirit [water].”

 Mainline Protestant denominations, e.g., Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian.

 Examples contrary – Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Mormon, most non-denominational
faiths.

 Sponsors
 The duties of a Sponsor are to journey with the Catechumen or Candidate through the
process and provide a compelling witness in matters of faith.

 A Sponsor must be a fully initiated Catholic and, if married, in a sacramental marriage.

 They may not be directly related to the Inquirer, e.g., spouse, parent, or child (with some
exceptions).
 The parish may provide a Sponsor or in some cases, the Inquirer will bring their own.

 It is important that each Inquirer have a Sponsor by the end of Inquiry

 For Catechumens, their Sponsor will be their Godparent for Baptism
Personal story #2