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:
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To instruct participants about the Catholic Church
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To bring about a full conversion as a follower of Jesus Christ
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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 2024
First Sunday of Lent
'Is it your intention to enter fully into the life of the Church?'
Bishop Tom celebrated the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent with parishioners of St. Mary's Parish, Drogheda. During the ceremony, Leonardo De Paula affirmed his desire to enter fully into the life of the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. The Church formally made its ‘election’ of Leonardo as a catechumen to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. As an 'Elect', he will intensify his catechetical instruction during the Lenten season in preparation for the Easter Vigil.
We also commend to our 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. 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.
RCIA Schedule 2023-2024
Scrutinies and Presentations
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.
Rites, Rituals & Scrutinies 2023-2024
Diocese Welcomes it's Newest Members with Easter Joy!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
As the Church celebrated the Easter Vigil, Bishop Tom welcomed new members into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar. During the celebration, which began at 9pm on Holy Saturday, the catechumens received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. The catechumens were joined by their godparents, sponsors and members of the local Catholic community.
The catechumens participated in their respective parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) programme of instruction, catechesis, prayer, and fellowship. Catechumens were also welcomed into the Church in the parishes of Ashbourne-Donaghmore, and Duleek. Our sincere gratitude to their catechists and those involved with their preparation and instruction.
Newly-baptized Catholics are traditionally called “neophytes,” a Greek term meaning “newly-planted.” As they imerse themselves in their faith-communities, we pray they will radiate Christ's love as they strive to live as disciples of Christ, strengthened and sustained by the sacramental life of the Church.
Diocese Celebrates the Rite of Election 2023
Bishop Tom celebrated the Rite of Election with catechumens and their godparents from across the Diocese on the First Sunday of Lent. Catechumens will celebrate the Rite of Initiation into the Church at Easter in the parishes of Ashbourne-Donaghmore, Duleek, St. Mary's-Drogheda, and Mullingar. Our sincere gratitude to their catechists and those involved with their instruction. We wish them every blessing for the remainder of their preparation.
Diocese of Meath Celebrates the Rite of Election 2021
Bishop Tom celebrated the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent with catechumens from Longwood, Laytown, Dunboyne and Mullingar parishes. During the ceremony, the sponsors, catechists, and catechumens affirmed their intention to join the Church, and the Church formally made its ‘election’ of these catechumens to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. The 'Elect' will intensify their catechetical instruction during the Lenten season in preparation for the Easter Vigil.