Have questions about Catholicism?

You're not alone.

Faith should touch every corner of our lives. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ, and is ultimately attracted in some way to the Catholic Church either through contact with people of faith or a personal faith experience.

We know it can be intimidating to walk through the doors, but we invite you to discover the spirituality, history, beauty, goodness, and truth of the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago.

About the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian Baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation.

In practice, the RCIA is a spiritual journey that passes through several stages of prayer, discernment, and instruction in the Catholic way of life. It is a process that enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, and the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Catholic community. The RCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants in preparation to enter full Communion with the Catholic Church.

Have Questions about RCIA?

rEADY to begin the journey?

We invite you to join us for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) classes, taught by our chaplain starting in the fall semester every year, which begin with an inquiry phase that allows you to learn more about faith in Jesus Christ before discerning whether to move forward with receiving the Sacraments and entering full Communion into the Catholic Church.

Frequently asked questions ABOUT RCIA

Who should attend the classes?

The RCIA is for adults who (1) want to be baptized, (2) baptized Christians of other faith traditions who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or becoming Catholic, OR (3) baptized Catholics who have not yet received their first Eucharist and/or Confirmation.

How long does RCIA last and how much does it cost?

The RCIA program involves attending Mass at 9:00 AM on Sundays, followed afterward by faith formation class. The class runs for approximately two hours each week. For most people, the process lasts for two semesters. There is no cost to attend.

Are you high-pressure about becoming Catholic?

Not at all. We want to assist you in discerning God's will for your life at this time. We will help you through prayer, answering questions, and journeying with you. We are merely here to support you in whatever way we can.

Can non-students join the program?

Yes, however, as the University Catholic Center is a collegiate ministry primarily focused on serving students, we do not offer regular programming, retreats, or opportunities for spiritual growth and community for non-students beyond the RCIA program itself. While non-students will find spiritual growth by participating in the RCIA with us, we strongly advise non-students to participate in the RCIA with a local parish such as St. Thomas More Catholic Church or Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. In this way, non-students will find community with people in a similar stage of life and find further formation opportunities beyond RCIA.

RCIA Needs Sponsors

The University Catholic Center is blessed with many individuals seeking to learn more about Catholic spirituality and/or thinking about becoming Catholic. An important part of the RCIA is connecting each participant with a sponsor – a community member willing to accompany them as they explore this spiritual path.  Sponsors do not have to be experts in theology or Catholic doctrine – it’s a job for ordinary, everyday Catholics who are willing to be a friend and companion to someone who is discovering the beauty of our faith. Sound interesting? Please contact our office to learn more or to volunteer.