Holy Trinity Catholic Church: History
What is RCIA?
“Lord, God You created us And you give us life. Bless these children and add them to your family. May they be joyful in the life you won for us Through Christ our Lord.” AMEN
Prayer over the Elect – Rite of Election
An Introduction
Interested In Learning More About The Catholic Church?
Welcome! This page explains the process by which one can - through their local Catholic Church. Learn more about the catholic faith. We hope this information is helpful to you!
The process by which adults come into the Church has come to be known as “RCIA”, which is short for “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.”
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is to be a process, not a program. It forms a community of inquirers, sponsors and guides moving through the education, formation and ritualization of entrance into the Catholic community, whereby those interested in learning about the Catholic faith come together on a weekly basis to learn about the scriptures and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and at the same time, to discover where God is present in their lives.
The process is designed for those adults and children over the age of seven who are:
- The unbaptized. The primary focus of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is on those who are not already Christian and have not been catechized.
- Baptized but uncatechized. Those who have been baptized either as Roman Catholics or as members of another Christian community but did not receive further catechetical formation or instruction. These typically have also not celebrated confirmation nor Eucharist.
- Those seeking full Catholic Communion. These are baptized, practicing Christians from other denominations who seek entry into the Catholic Church.
In the case of children who have reached the age of reason, the proper pastor should be consulted for information about Baptism and the other Sacraments of Initiation.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is not for adult candidates for confirmation who have already received their First Eucharist in the Catholic Church. They should have their own formation process and be confirmed at a celebration other than the Easter Vigil.
What is Our History?
In the early church small Christian communities took individuals into their group of believers and introduced them to their way of life. In those days persecution of Christians was prevalent. Newcomers knew that commitment to this faith could lead them to imprisonment and death. Still many wanted to be members of this group!
By the 2nd and 3rd Century initiation into the faith began to take on formal shape! This was the beginning of a “catechumenate”. The Roman Emperor Constantine made the Christian Religion legal, in 313. At that time there were large numbers of men and women who wanted to join the Christian Community. The quality of their preparation and catechesis however was deficient.
By the 5th Century all of the Western World was Christian. Infant Baptism was the traditional way one entered the Catholic Church. The catechumenate basically died until the 20th Century.
In the 20th Century catechumenal structures began to be revived in Africa and in France. Catholic missionaries recognized the need for Christian tradition to be established in foreign countries. In France problems arose because of the large number of non-practicing Catholics. At the Vatican II Council the bishops voted on the restoration of the catechumenate with a vote of 2,165 Yes’s and only 9 No’s (there was 1 null vote). In 1966 the provisional ritual was published. This was followed by a second draft in 1969 distributed for experimentation.
In 1972 the Vatican promulgated the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and in 1986 the United States bishops approved additions to the Order and National Statutes and a national plan for implementation. In 1988 in the United States the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults became mandatory for all at the age of reason or older who have not yet been baptized.
What is Our Policy?
The Diocese of Shreveport expects every parish or mission to provide RCIA for individuals over the age of six who are seeking entrance into the Church. On request The Diocesan Office of Catechetics and Worship will provide training and assistance for RCIA teams and keeps contact with team leaders for resources and updates.
Stages of RCIA
The Period of Inquiry (Pre Catechumenate)
In the stage of evangelization and inquiry there is no fixed duration or structure. This is a time when the contents of faith and the tradition of the Church are presented and questions are answered. It is a time for an introduction to gospel values and an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
The period of Inquiry is a time for:
- asking questions about the Catholic faith
- building community within the group
- developing a trusting athmosphere.
More importantly, it is a time for:
- examining God's presence in our lives, past and present
- learning about prayer
- fostering conversion
- developing or improving our relationship with God
- getting to know his church.
We read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives.
We also discuss topics such as:
- What brought you to RCIA
- What is your image of God
- Prayer and liturgy
- Who is Jesus
- Who is the Holy Spirit
- Who is the Trinity
- The Saints
The Catechumenate (Study) Period
Through this time the individual, now welcomed into the faith begins the process of conversion - learning more about Catholic belief and his or her responsibility to God’s call.
The period of study (Catechumenate) is a time for:
- "Breaking Open the Word", or reading and discussing the Sunday Gospel
- Continuing to build community within the group
- Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community
- Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church.
More importantly, it is a time for:
- Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present
- Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish
- Fostering conversion
- Developing or improving our relationship with God
We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also discuss topics such as:
- Seasons of the Church
- Who is Jesus
- The 10 Commandments
- Bible
- The Incarnation
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Mary and the Rosary
- Sin, evil, guilt
- Morality
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This time immediately precedes the Elect’s initiation. It is a time of reflection – intensely centered on conversion and on preparation for the rites on Holy Saturday.
The period of purification and enlightenment is a time for:
- repentance
- examining areas of sinfulness or weakness in our lives
- asking God's help in healing these areas
- prayer, fasting and almsgiving
- preparation for receiving the sacraments of initiation
We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also learn about:
- The 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church
- Initiation Healing Vocation
- Baptism Reconciliation Matrimony
- Confirmation Anointing of the Sick Holy Orders
- Eucharist
The Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis and Mystagogy
Now, through the Easter Season and beyond the newly initiated experience being full members of the Christian community by means of mystagogy, participation in parish ministry and sharing the Sunday Eucharistic celebrations.
The period of mystagogia is a time for:
- living a sacramental life
- living out the gospel way of life
- becoming more involved in the parish
We also discuss:
- Evangelization
- Stewardship
- Lay Ministry
We read the Sunday Gospel for the 8 weeks of the Easter season, including Pentecost, and discuss what it means to us in our lives.
Becoming a Catholic
The way that our faith community prepares, welcomes and receives adults in the Catholic Church. Perhaps you or someone you know is considering becoming Catholic or would like to become Catholic but is unsure how to get started. I invite you in the name of Holy Trinity Parish to contact the parish office if you are considering the journey of faith provided to you by joining the RCIA.
Each year in parishes throughout the country, men and women who are seeking to journey in faith and with local Catholic community gather together for what has come to be known as the RICA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), of the "Catechurnenate."
Persons participating in the RICA come from a variety of backgrounds. Many have been baptized and have had little or no acquintance with the Catholic Church. Others are Christians who have been baptized in another denomination. In many cases, they have been attracted to the Catholic Church by friends or spouse whose life has witnessed the love of God.
If you or someone you know are interested in the RICA program, or if you would like to explore questions about the Catholic Church, sort out your beliefs and assumptions about others, self, church, faith; or become acquainted with others who are searching, please call Msgr. Provenza at (318) 221-5990 or you may email him at, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the parish office and leave your name, phone number, and the best time to return your call with the parish secretary.
The Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Acceptance:
The Rite of Acceptance is the first rite of the RCIA process. It takes place within the context of a Sunday Mass. Those wishing to enter into the second phase of the RCIA (the Precatechumenate or study phase) make a public commitment to accept way of the cross, and the worshipping community, the members of our parish family, publicly welcome these individuals and promise to support them in their ongoing journey of faith. The candidates (baptized) and catechumens (unbaptized) are signed with the sign of the cross to remind them of their commitment, and they also receive the Word of God, to remind them that the Scriptures are the source of our faith.
The Rite of Sending
The Rite of Sending is celebrated in our parish the week before the Rite of Election, and is a sending forth rite, which symbolizes the parish sending the candidates to the cathedral the next week with our love, prayers and support.
The Rite of Election
The Rite of Election is a celebration that is held at Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in the Shreveport Diocese. It is also celebrated on the same day at all Dioceses in the world. Those wishing to be Baptized or Received in to Full Communion of the Catholic Church come together to officially enter their names in the “Book of the Elect”, which signifies their intention to be initiated at the Easter Vigil. The Bishop joyfully welcomes those to be baptized as children of God, as well as those who have already been baptized but seek full communion of the Catholic Church.
The Pennitential Rite and Scrutinies
The Penitential Rite and the 3 Scrutinies are rites designed to help those seeking initiation into the Catholic Church to overcome their areas of weakness, and to strengthen their areas of goodness. The parish family joins in prayer with them, asking God to purify them and help them be ready to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. The Scrutinies are designed for the unbaptized, and take place at 3 separate Masses in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays in Lent. The Penitential Rite is designed for the Baptized, and takes place during a Mass on the 2nd Sunday in Lent
When is RCIA?
Invitation to Inquiry begins on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 9:00am in the rectory. Please call the rectory at (318) 221-5990 to register.
