Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)

What is RCIC?

At St. Anthony Mary Claret Roman Catholic Parish, RCIC stands for the process involving “Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age.” RCIC utilizes the same process as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), but with adaptations for children.

Through the RCIC process, un-baptized children (or children who have been baptized into a non-Catholic Christian faith)—who are old enough to have attained the use of reason—prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation and enter the Catholic Church. They seek Christian initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative.

RCIC involves both children and their parents. It is a three-year process, marked by several stages and liturgical rites, including a period of evangelization, the liturgical rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens (or Welcoming for Candidates), a period of comprehensive catechesis, the Rite of Election, a period of purification and enlightenment including the Penitential Rites or Scrutinies, the celebration of the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, and finally a period of post-baptismal catechesis or Mystagogy.

RCIC is open to both parishioners and non-parishioners (with letter from home parish) who are in need of sacramental preparation and for reception into the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

Whether your family is just entering the Church, is returning after time away, have decided as a family to delay your children’s sacramental preparation, or any other circumstance, all are welcome. Please complete the inquiry form below.

Ready to register? – click here.

Have more questions? – click here.