Holy Name Catholic Church at 3814 Nash Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78223-3499 US - R.C.I.A.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults R.C.I.A. classes are for adults or young children seeking to receive their sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. The classes are held on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Religious Education Room. Anyone seeking to learn more about the sacraments or wishing to join the Catholic faith are welcome to attend. The rite is looked upon as a spiritual journey for the adults. Three major stages occur: (1) The persons learn of the Church, indicate an interest and a desire to become Christians, and are eventually accepted as catechumens. (2)During the catchumenate their faith grows while they are more fully instructed and receive various rites connected with catechsis. The completion of this stage is the day of election. (3)Thereupon, the spiritual preparation being satisfactory, the persons receive the three Sacraments ordinarily on the Easter Vigil. Through the reception of these Sacraments the elect are admitted to the People of God with the promise of the eternal banquet. During the easter Vigil, the high point of adult Baptism, washing with water in the name of the Holy Trinity, occurs in its proper place. With all its pastoral implications, following the complementary rites of Baptism, Confirmation is celebrated. Then later in the Mass the first sharing of the Eucharist for the newly baptized occurs during Communion. Confirmation may occur at a later date if the rite is not performed during this mass.

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