Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.  Your soul will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.

The process for a person to become a member of the Catholic Church is through their participation in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). RCIA is a distinct process in which individuals explore his/her inner longing to find a unique relationship with God. 

This journey is for:

• Those who were never baptized.
• Those who were baptized in another Christian tradition but now seek reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. The RCIA, the Catholic Church’s way of initiating a new disciple, is much more than a program. It is a learning and loving process in which conversation of the heart brings one to Jesus Christ. Through RCIA
• Those who are Catholics by baptism and are now preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist.

Many people, such as catechists, sponsors, and others, will be available to help an individual discern his/her inner longing. The journey itself includes four phrases.

1. The first phase in the RCIA Faith Formation is one of inquiry. It is a time for an individual to inquire specifically about the Catholic church. It has no fixed duration of time or structure. At some point after inquiry however, an individual will need to make a decision whether to continue his/her pursuit of membership in the Catholic Church. A public ritual is celebrated.     

For those who have never been baptized, this ritual is called: "Rite of Acceptance in the Order of Catechumens" or for those baptized: the "Rite of Welcoming Candidates." Simply stated, a catechumen is a person who has been welcomed into the church but has not yet been baptized. A candidate is a person who has been baptized but seeks full initiation in the Catholic Church.   

2. In the second phase, an individual continues her/her formation in both gospel values and traditions of the Church, known as the catechumenate. The next major event of one's journey to full initiation coincides with the beginning of Lent. "The Rite of Election" is celebrated for those who have never been baptized at the Church. The Rite of Election is at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland.

3. The third phase in the Christian initiation of adults is the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.  
       
4 . Finally, those who have been fully initiated into the Church participate in mystagogy. Mystagogy is a term which means to initiate into the mysteries of a religious faith. Thus it is a time to be introduced into a fuller and more effective understanding of the mysteries received through the Gospel and the experience of the sacraments.

Classes start in September and continue through May in the evening based on the needs of the candidates/catechumen.

To sign up, call the Office at (503)397-0148 or email at [email protected]