For adults today, the Church, after the Second Vatican Council, has restored the order of the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher. This includes an initiation into the mystery of salvation, the practice of faith, hope, and love, and other virtues in a succession of liturgical rites.

Persons baptized into another Christian church and now seeking full communion with the Catholic Church are also welcomed to participate along with catechumens in the RCIA in the process of learning about the Catholic faith and being formed in that faith. They bring to the process of preparation their prior experience of Christian life and prayer. For a baptized Christian, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church involves reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and then a Profession of Faith followed by the celebration of Confirmation and the Eucharist

From The RCIA Transforming the Church (paragraph 1 from the General Introduction): In the sacraments of Christian initiation, we are freed from the power of darkness and joined to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. We receive the spirit of filial adoption and are a part of the entire people of God in the celebration of the memorial of the Lord's death and resurrection.

Evangelization “is necessary for Christian initiation. Men and women hear the gospel proclaimed, by word and deed, and come to a particular Christian community as a result of this initial stirring in faith. The process whereby adults both hear and respond to this gospel in the Catholic community is called the Rite of Christian of Adults.” (The RCIA Transforming the Church, Thomas Morris)

Evangelization leads to conversion.
Conversion “is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our hearts return to him.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1432) It is an on-going process that never ends. It involves various stages of change. Conversion is a turning from something coupled with a turning towards something else. Christian faith is conversion to Jesus Christ.

Periods of Formation And Liturgical Steps:
The rites celebrated throughout the process gives graces which aid in the person's process of conversion, understanding of church teaching, and the desire for the faith.

RCIA - Questions & Answers:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has gathered together a great resource explaining the RCIA process. Click here

STEP ONE:

Precatechumenate: This is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginning of faith and a time to recognize Jesus Christ’s personal invitation.

The first step (Rite of Acceptance and Rite of Welcoming for candidates): Reaching the point of initial conversion and wishing to become Christians, they are accepted as catechumens by the Church. In the Rite of Acceptance they are signed by the Cross.

STEP TWO:

Catechumenate:
This is the time for the nurturing and growth of the catechumen’s faith and conversion to God.

The second step (Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion): Having progressed in faith and nearly completed the catechumenate, they are accepted into a more intense preparation for the sacraments. These rites are celebrated with the Bishop at the Cathedral during the first Sunday of Lent.

STEP THREE

Purification and Enlightment:
This is the time immediately preceding the elects’ initiation, usually the Lenten season preceding the celebration of this initiation at the Easter Vigil; it is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by the celebration of the scrutinies and presentations and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

The third step (Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist): Having completed their spiritual preparation, they receive the sacraments of initiation.
Photo by Bruce McDaniel

STEP FOUR

Mystagogy:

This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and particularly with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration.