Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
If you are an adult seeking Baptism and/or Confirmation and Eucharist (or Communion) within the Catholic Church, or if you are a baptized Christian seeking to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, then you should first take some instruction in the faith so as to prepare you not just to “become” Catholic but also to “be” Catholic. The introduction that follows should be your first step towards this process, as well as an interview with the priest, deacon or one of the catechists here at the parish. Thereafter follow lessons that you should work through with the priest, deacon or catechist as a brief instruction into what makes Catholicism unique, including some catechesis, some history, some apologetics and some of the unchanging moral teachings of our faith. If you think the Lord may be calling you to explore more deeply the Church that was founded by Jesus Christ himself, and if you are motivated to learn, and willing to do a little work, then begin by contacting us here at the parish, and start by opening the introduction that follows. For information on Becoming Catholic or Christian Initiation for Children, contact John Clagett via E-mail.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process by which a non-Catholic is received into the Catholic Church, or a Catholic completes the sacraments of initiation. Classes take place throughout the school year.
FROM THE CODE OF CANON LAW
BAPTISM
SPONSORS
Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
- 2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.
CONFIRMATION
SPONSORS
Can. 892 Insofar as possible, there is to be a sponsor for the person to be confirmed; the sponsor is to take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament.
Can. 893 §1. To perform the function of sponsor, a person must fulfill the conditions mentioned in can. 874.
- 2. It is desirable to choose as sponsor the one who undertook the same function in baptism.
At St. Luke the Evangelist, we additionally ask that a boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancée not take the role of a catechumen or candidate’s official sponsor. They may accompany the catechumen/candidate through the RCIA process as a witness. If the catechumen/candidate does not know of a sponsor who could help them, one will be provided by the parish.
Last Updated May 16, 2022