What is RCIA?
The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It is also for those baptized in a different faith tradition who wish to become Catholic, or baptized Catholic, but never confirmed. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Here at the Aquinas Institute, the Tuesday meetings will focus on the study of the Catholic Catechism in preparation for your initiation into the Catholic Church. At the end of this period of study and prayer, you will partake of the sacraments during the Easter Vigil Liturgy.
Required Text
U.S. Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church (New York: Doubleday, 1995)
Recommended:
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: A Compendium of Texts
Schedule
Week 1: Revelation, Jesus Christ, and the Word of God (¶1-100)
Week 2: Scripture and Tradition (¶101-84)
Week 3: The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (¶185-267)
Week 4: Creator, Creation, and Humanity (¶268-384)
Week 5: Sin and Evil (¶385-421)
Week 6: Jesus Christ: True God and True Man (¶422-570)
Week 7: Jesus Christ: Savior of the World (¶571-667)
Week 8: Holy Spirit: The Power of New Life (¶683-747, 1987-2029)
Week 9: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church with an Excursus on Mary (¶748-975, 2030-51)
Week 10: Forgiveness of Sins, Resurrection of the Body, and Life Everlasting (¶668-82, 976-1065)
Week 11: Liturgy & Sacraments (¶1066-1209, 1667-90)Week 12: The Sacraments of Initiation (¶1210-1419)
Week 13: The Sacraments of Healing and Service (¶1420-1666)
Week 14: Christian Ethics (¶1691-1876)
Week 15: The Christian in the World (¶1877-1986)
Week 16: The Ten Commandments (¶2052-557)
Week 17: Prayer (¶2558-758)
Week 18: The Lord’s Prayer (¶2759-865)
