Blessed Sacrament Church at 3127 James St, Syracuse, NY 13206 US - About Us

The initials R.C.I.A. stand for the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults which are a series of liturgical celebrations that mark people’s passage into full initiation or entry into the Catholic Church. This is a restoration of the ways in which people were brought into the faith in the first centuries of the church. Children who have “attained the age of reason” (about seven years old) go through the same process, with some adaptations geared towards their abilities and understanding. In the ancient church, the “Sacraments of Initiation”, that is, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, were all received at the same time as part of a person’s entry into the Church. Vatican II reinstituted the ancient catechumenate process.

The Catechumenate Process of Christian Initiation

(or “How a Person Becomes a Catholic”)

 This is a process to assist adults and school age children who are interested in becoming part of the Catholic church. We meet weekly, from September until Pentecost, as we journey and share our faith stories and the faith stories of the Bible. Sister Maureen Murphy, CSJ is the Coordinator of this process and works together with a team.

Sharing our Stories

Currently our Inquiry (or Precatechumenate) group meets every Sunday morning in the Rectory to learn more about what it means to live according to the Gospel as a disciple of Christ. When the Inquirers are ready to take the next step, they celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. With this rite, the Church accepts their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the way of Christ.

Sharing the Word

As Catechumens, they will spend an indefinite period of time as they grow in their faith by reflecting on the Word o God. Every Sunday, they will be sent forth from the Liturgy after hearing God’s Word proclaimed to the church, to reflect further on how God is speaking through the scriptures and through their lives. After having spent sufficient time as catechumens, being nourished by the Word of God, they will enter into the period of Purification and Enlightenment, as they celebrate the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. This rite marks their entrance into a more intense time of reflection, purification and conversion as they prepare to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil.

Sharing the Eucharist

After they have celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil “the Mother of all Vigils”, they will continue to experience and savor the on-going mystery of their faith during the period of “Mystagogia (of savoring the mystery).