Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA):
RCIA is the normal process that an adult, who is not Catholic, goes through who is interested in full communion with the Catholic Church. Usually a series of classes, it is divided up into a general inquiries period (a general introduction to the faith), a catechuminate period (serious and prayerful study of the faith), leading up to reception into the Church, and mystegogia (the period between Easter and Pentecost when the newly initiated Catholic receives further instruction).
Who can attend RCIA classes? The classes are open not only to those actively seeking communion with the Catholic Church, but also Catholics and non-Catholics who simply wish to learn more about the theology, history, and culture of the Catholic faith.
RCIA classes are held in conjunction with St. Mary's parish in Sylva, NC, and end at Pentecost.
If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, coming into full communion with the Church, or helping out with the RCIA classes, please contact the Catholic Student Center.
"But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the successions of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul—that church which has the tradition and the faith with which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. For with this Church, because of its superior origin, all churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world. And it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition" -- St. Ireneaus, Against Heresies 3:3:2 [A.D. 189]
