Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Welcome! Thank you for taking the first step in inquiring about membership of the Roman Catholic Church. We are delighted to accompany you as you know more intimately the living person of Jesus Christ who continues his presence among us in the Church.
​
The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism.
​
RCIA is a spiritual process for anyone who is inquiring about the Catholic Faith, and also for Catholics who are already baptised, but who, for some reason, were never instructed in the faith or celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist.
​
The three goals of RCIA are:
-
To instruct participants about the Catholic Church
-
To bring about a full conversion as a follower of Jesus Christ
-
To become an active member of the faith community
​
If you are interested in being initiated into the Roman Catholic Church, please consider attending Mass at a nearby parish and contact the Parish Priest to enquire if they have an RCIA programme.
​
​
(Please return completed form to your Parish Priest)
Diocese Celebrates the Rite of Election
Lent 2026
Bishop Tom recently celebrated the 'Rite of Election' in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar and St. Mary's, Navan. During the ceremonies, candidates from Dunshaughlin, Ashbourne, Longwood, Mornington, Mullingar and the Kentstown area affirmed their desire to enter fully into the life of the Catholic Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
During the ceremony, their sponsors testified they were sufficiently prepared to be enrolled among the elect for the celebration of Easter, and the candidates affirmed their desire to enter fully into the life of the Church through the sacraments.
As 'Elect', they will intensify their catechetical instruction during the remaining weeks of the Lenten season in preparation for the Easter Vigil. They will be presented with the 'Creed', the defining statement of belief in the Trinity - the divinty of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, they will receive a copy of the Lord's Prayer - a model of prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples, which focuses on worshipping God, seeking His will, asking for daily needs, and requesting forgiveness.
Parishes across the Diocese of Meath are also encourage to commend to their prayers those who are preparing to be received into full communion with the Church on the Feast of Pentecost through the celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Bishop Tom expressed his gratitude to the sponsors, the candidates' families, their catechists, and those involved with their instruction and formation. May they find strength in God's grace and the support of their community's prayers and example.​
.jpg)
.jpg)
How to Become a Catholic
An Invitation to 'Come and See'
A guide to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
St. Patrick lights the Paschal Fire on the Hill of Tara
Mosaic - Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar
RCIA Schedule 2025-2026
Weekly Lesson Plans
The lesson plans below are a guide and support for the local catechist to frame the group's instruction, discussion and prayer at each session. The Catechist should carefully plan each session, ensuring each lesson is rooted in the Word of God, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the liturgical life of the parish.
Rites, Rituals & Scrutinies 2025-2026
The scrutinies and presentations are rites belonging to the period of purification and enlightment for the elect. The scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect, and then give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. These rites, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepend their resolve to hold fast to Christ.
In order to inspire in the elect a desire for purification and redemption by Christ, three scrutinies are celebrated. By this means, first of all the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin, from which every person longs to be delivered an saved. Second, their spirit is dulled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water (gospel of the Samaritan woman in the first scrutiny), the light of the world (gospel of the man born blind in the second scrutiny), the resurrection and the life (gospel of Lazarus in the third scrutiny). From the first to the final scrutiny the elect should progress in their perception of sin and their desire for salvation.
​
The presentation take place after each scrutiny, whereby the Church entrusts to the elect the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, the ancient texts that have always been regarded as expressing the heart of the Church's faith and prayer. These texts are presented in order to enlighten the elect.
Scrutinies and Presentations
Diocese Celebrates the Rite of Election
2025
'Come to share the joys of Easter'
​
Bishop Deenihan celebrated The Rite of Election on Sunday last with catechumens from the Diocese preparing for initiation into the Catholic Faith at the Easter Vigil through the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. Natalia O' Sullivan (Tuberclair Parish) and Zlatko Muravec (Mullingar Parish) were officially enrolled as 'The Elect' and will continue their preparation with Fr. Norman Allred (Cathechist) until the Easter Triduum.
Present with Natalia and Zlatko were their families, Lee Edmundson (Preparing for Confirmation at Pentecost), Fr. Derek Darby, Diocesan Coordinator of RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and Fr. Barry White CC, Mullingar.
We pray for their sponsors, catechumens, and families; may they find strength in God's grace and the support of their community's prayers and example.
