Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults
This ministry guides adults and children who wish to enter the Catholic Church through an initiation and educational process. What is the R.C.I.A.?
R.C.I.A refers to the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults. This is a spiritual journey process in which one learns about the Catholic Faith and discerns if he or she is called to become Catholic. It requires attending classes once a week on Sunday mornings and participating in certain liturgical functions during specific Mass celebrations.
The first part of the process begins with the Inquiry Stage. This stage is a general exploring of the Catholic Faith in the Bible and through prayer to see if the Catholic Faith is for that person. It culminates in the Rite of Welcome at one of our Masses in which the candidate is welcomed into the Catechumenate program. The second stage is the Catechumenate Stage in which the individual focuses more intently upon the basics of the Catholic Faith. The next stage is the period of Purification and Enlightenment in which the candidates prepare for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. The final stage is called the Mystagogia which is reflecting upon the Paschal Mystery of the Lord and deepening of our Catholic Life.
Have you felt called to a new journey of becoming a Catholic? Were you baptized Catholic and did not finish the other initiation sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation? Have you been searching for a religion and would like to come, see and explore the Catholic Faith?
Contact for RCIA Adults: Deacon Dave Lesieur – Please leave your name and number at the church office 813-961-1061 or deacondave@stmarytampa.org
Contact for Children and Youth: Joan Rini, 813-961-1061 x 306
Please email completed questionnaire to Deacon Dave.