Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Sorting It All Out: Children and Adults in the Initiation Process
3. Adult or older adolescent validly baptized non-Catholic, but who is uncatechized
Lauren is 31 and a validly baptized Presbyterian. As a child, her attendance at Sunday school classes was very irregular, and she does not attend church except on rare occasions. She now expresses a desire to become a Roman Catholic. After an appropriate time of inquiry, Lauren becomes a candidate for reception into full communion.
Rite used: Rite of Welcoming the Candidates [RCIA #411-433]. If this rite takes place together with the acceptance of unbaptized people into the Order of Catechumens, the combined rite is used [#505-529].
Title: Candidate for Full Communion
Definition: a validly baptized non-Catholic who wishes to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church.
Age: Older teen - adult
Process: After an appropriate pastoral formation adapted to her needs, modeled on the catechumenate (and perhaps even as part of the parish catechumenate), Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated together whenever Lauren is ready. At this time, Lauren is received into full communion of the Roman Catholic Church, and thus completes her initiation.
Time of Celebration: While it may be done at the Easter Vigil, it is preferable that the celebration of Reception into Full Communion take place on an appropriate Sunday, when she is ready.
Minister: The parish priest is the presiding minister.
Faculty to Confirm: No delegation is required.
Record Keeping: The administration of these sacraments is entered in the following official parish registers: Baptism (with a notation of Reception, non-Catholic baptism and the minister), Confirmation, First Communion and a notation of Marriage.
References: RCIA Part II: 4,5; NS 30-37
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