This gradual development culminates in the celebration of the initiation sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist at Easter time.
Journey of Faith
The R.C.I.A. is primarily a journey of faith:
"From the awareness of stirring of faith and curiosity within one's heart,
- through all those stages of asking and seeking,
- through beginning involvement with Christian/Catholic people,
- through hearing the Gospel proclaimed and by faithful reflection and prayer on this Word of God,
- through study and discussion about the Catholic experience,
- through doubts and hesitations,
- through involvement in the works of charity and justice with those already committed to the catholic way of life,
- through discernment of God's call for them as individuals,
- through the steps of commitment,
- through the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and eucharist)
to a life of faith, love, and justice lived in communion with the universal Roman Catholic Church throughout the world".
Conversion, a Gradual Process
- The R.C.I.A. as a rite, marks stages along the path to full commitment in the Catholic Church;
- the R.C.I.A. as a process, describes in broad terms what this gradual commitment means.
- The R.C.I.A. as formation gradually looks both to the inner transformation of the individual to God's call as given week by week in the lectionary of Scripture readings at the Sunday Eucharist and to the gradual transformation of the person to an active member of the local church wherever he or she lives.
St Anne Salem meetings are in session on Sunday mornings at the rectory following the 8:30 Mass. For more information call the rectory at 978-744-1930 or email
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.