Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - St. John Vianney Catholic Church

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) A faith journey, an ongoing process, constantly turning to the Lord, continuing through adult life. RCIA Contact Information RCIA Information
40 Days to Live - First Sunday of Lent The final period of purification and enlightenment for the men and women who are preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church this Easter, which the rite of election begins, coincides with Lent. It formally began with the Rite of Election with Bishop Vigneron Sunday afternoon, Feb 25^th. In Lent, this period of purification and enlightenment for the RCIA members is thus a reminder of the ongoing journey of repentance and re-birth for our entire community. the reminder of baptism already received or the preparation for its reception, as well as the theme of repentance, renew the entire community along with those being prepared to celebrate the paschal mystery. For all of us the Lenten season is a time for spiritual recollection consisting in interior reflection intended to purify the minds and hearts of all as we commonly together search our own consciences and do penance. It is also a time to enlighten our minds and hearts with a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ as our the Savior – the One who has conquered sin and death through his life of compassion, his suffering and crucifixion, and his resurrection.. To be baptized into Christ’s resurrection is to pass thorough death to a new life in the waters of baptism. All of us who are baptized have been united to Christ, dying with him and given life again with him, and with him we rise again. At Easter we will renew that experience, renewing our baptismal vows. So now we prepare to die and rise with Christ. One author asks, “If your physician announced that you had but forty days to prepare for your death, what might you do during that time?” Would you take a look at the life you have lived? Would you mend some relationships? Would you seek forgiveness and reconciliation? Would you be sure to spend time differently and with different people? What would you do? March 4th at the 11:00 Mass we celebrated the first of four Penitential Rites with those who are already baptized and now preparing for full communion in the Church. Next week (March 11th) we celebrate special rites, called Scrutinies, designed specifically for those awaiting baptism for baptism or reception of others and the rest of the sacraments of initiation. All of these are opportunities for all of us to search ourselves.. Together with them we will seriously examine ourselves, uncovering all that is weak and bringing out all that is upright, strong and good, praying together in the spirit of true repentance. The RCIA elect and catechumens spend time with the questions: What is a weakness of the human condition today? Jesus is God’s beloved Son; in what does our world, society, need to listen to him? What is my own personal weakness? Where do I need to listen to him? What gets in the way? We might all reflect on these questions as we pray for insight to uncover what is weak and ask God’s healing; strengthening what is upright, strong and good in us.
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