What is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults are initiated into the Catholic Church. Under the guidance of our Pastor and RCIA director at St. John the Evangelist Church, Naples, Florida, the RCIA process is conducted by a team of lay church members and clergy over a nine-month period which begins each September and culminates around the celebration of the Ascension.

RCIA is not a program or a class in Catholicism. The RCIA process follows an ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. In 1974 the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults was formally approved for use in the United States.

Is there a shorter version of the RCIA?
Insights into a nationwide survey conducted around 1999 by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) Office for Evangelization revealed that the length of the current “program” is "about right".

It seems reasonable that catechumens or uncatechized candidates experience the yearly calendar of Catholic practice at least one time around in order to make an informed decision.

What are all the steps to becoming Catholic?
The RCIA journey is divided into four periods (Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and Mystagogy) that respect the individual's journey of faith. The community celebrates a special ritual at the conclusion of each period of Christian formation and moves the participants into the next step.

Who can participate?
The RCIA process is open to all those individuals who are unbaptized and who express a desire to study Catholic Christian beliefs and practices.

The program is also open to those individuals who have been baptized in another Christian denomination and who wish to explore membership in the Catholic Church.

Finally, the RCIA is open to Catholics who have been baptized but who have not received the other entry sacraments of Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist.

What can I expect?
Individuals who go through the RCIA process should expect to find themselves in a much deeper relationship with God and possessing a better understanding of current Catholic teaching and practices.

As part of the conversion process, they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. In addition, one prized aspect of the RCIA experience cited by previous participants are the feelings of community, friendship and acceptance that it produces.

Is there any cost to participate in RCIA?
No, none whatsoever

Am I obligated to become Catholic?
There is no obligation on participants to become members of the Catholic Church. Anyone seeking information about the Catholic faith is welcome to attend our sessions.

Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and dialogue with the material. There are times during the RCIA process for you to explore your intentions and continue to discern God's call. Everything shared during the sessions will be treated with confidentiality and respect.

What if I was baptized but not as a Catholic?
You will be glad to know that the Catholic Church universally recognizes most Christian baptisms. You are welcome to explore the Catholic faith with us, and if and when you so choose, you can prepare to join the Catholic faith through the RCIA process. Prayer, discernment and reflection are part of the RCIA experience.

What is expected of Me?
All that is needed is a sincere desire to grow and learn. Attendance is expected at meetings at 7:00 pm on Thursday nights and at the 9:00 am Mass on Sundays.

Attendance is expected at the Rite of Election in Venice, Florida, and at the Easter Vigil. Each member of the RCIA is encouraged to spend some time each week in prayer and to read the reflection materials that are given out on Thursdays.

The Thursday night sessions are opportunities to raise questions and dialogue with the material. People who feel comfortable sharing questions and reactions are encouraged to do so.

How long will the Thursday and Sunday sessions take?
Thursday and Sunday sessions go from September through May. Thursday nights from 7-9 pm, at the Parish Life Center, St. John the Evangelist.

Sundays we meet for the 9 am Mass. We have reserved seats at the church and we congregate there no later than 8:30 am. We are dismissed halfway through the Mass and then we go directly to the Parish Life Center where we break open the scriptures until around 10:30 am.

I understand that I need a sponsor, is this true?
Yes, each RCIA candidate needs a sponsor. As Jesus taught his disciples the importance of community, it is significant that we walk this faith journey with companions, who participate in the process with you and help you find the resources and answers that you may have on your journey. If you don’t have a sponsor, we can find one for you by matching you with a lay volunteer and member of the parish.

What is a sponsor?
A sponsor is a practicing Catholic, either friend or family member, who is a spiritual companion and support on the journey, and serves as a mentor in the Christian life.

What do sponsors do?
Sponsors actively participate in our meetings and celebration of the Sacraments. They converse regularly about the participant ongoing process of faith development. Their promise is to be good listeners and to help participants to know where God is leading them without pushing them in any direction.

When we start going to Mass on Sundays, do our sponsors need to come with us, or can they stay and receive communion?
It is up to the individual sponsor. Some sponsors choose to stay at Mass so they can receive communion, and then join us after Mass, and others choose to come with us on Sunday and receive communion at another Mass. They are welcome to stay for communion.

What materials are needed?
All needed materials will be given to you. You will receive a Bible and other related materials as tools for reflection.

Do other churches have a similar program?
Yes. Most parishes have RCIA programs. They may differ slightly in approach, but all have a similar format and time frame

I just have a feeling of not knowing enough about the church to feel comfortable yet.
That’s okay. The RCIA is a time of exploration, where people can ask questions and learn about the church. People coming from other faith groups may have many questions about Catholicism, and areas where they don’t feel comfortable. Don’t worry. Each person is given the space to question, to think for themselves, and to take all the time they need to make a decision about joining the Church.

There is no obligation. Certainly even Catholics don’t know everything about the Church. It is a lifetime process, and each person is encouraged to make the journey at their own pace.

Is it common to feel unsure about my relationship with the Church and Catholicism?
Yes. Many people are unsure, even many Catholics! Many people go through uncertainty and questions. That is normal. That is healthy. It is a sign that you are taking your spiritual growth seriously.

RCIA is there to help you grow in your relationship with God first, whether or not you join the church is secondary. You will not be expected to agree with everything the church says. Most catholics don’t. This is simply a time of exploration.

What if we have doubts about converting?
Follow your heart. Go where you feel most at home. If it is the Catholic church great, if not, that is fine too. We would simply suggest that you explore, ask questions and listen to where you feel God is leading you. Pray for guidance, and you will be led to the right place, wherever it may be.

I would like to hear about some of the experiences of the other catechumens and candidates?
The experiences of other candidates and catechumens are as varied as the people themselves. Everyone has their own story, their own journey. RCIA candidates come from all walks of life, all backgrounds and all ages.

We invite you to come to our sessions and visit with any of our leaders, sponsors and candidates. We are eager to share our own experiences.

I haven’t felt God much in my life. What if I still haven’t really found God in my life?
The fact that you are asking the question says that you are moving toward God, and God is working in your life. The desire for a relationship with God is in itself a sign of God’s presence. Keep listening and praying. Ask God to open your heart and amazing things will happen.


I am engaged to a Catholic. Can I become Catholic in time for the wedding?
That depends on when the wedding is. The RCIA process takes around 9 months, so it is good to plan accordingly. In some cases you may be able to expedite the process and be received into the Church prior to the Easter vigil, though it is not the recommended way to do it.

Why does the RCIA process take such a long time?
Faith is something that takes time to grow, like a flower takes time to grow from a seed and bloom. RCIA is a process by which the seed of faith is nurtured, and it takes different amounts of time for different people. Someone who is wanting to become Catholic must learn about the faith before they can make a decision, and that learning takes time.

Like any relationship, a person's relationship with God develops, and it can’t be rushed. Everyone has their own pace, and their own particular needs and questions. The good news is that the process is fun, too! Most people who have come through the process say at the end: "I wish it had been longer.”

I am engaged to a Catholic. Does it mean I have to join RCIA?
No. You don’t have to be Catholic to get married in the Church. The decision to join the RCIA is one that you should make for yourself, because it is something you want to do, not because you feel you have to.

Do I need an annulment before I can join St. John the Evangelist? If “yes” what is the criteria?
No, you don’t need an annulment before you can join St. John the Evangelist. Having an annulment does not affect your ability to go to Mass and be received into the Church.

The only time it becomes an issue is if you plan on getting remarried in the Church. The annulment process takes approximately 6 months to a year. You start by consulting with a priest and starting the paperwork. You fill out certain forms discussing the reasons that your marriage didn’t work out, and those forms are sent to the tribunal in Venice, who then makes a decision. It is advisable if you are planning on getting married in the Church to do this as soon as possible, to avoid the frustration of having to do that while planning your wedding.

If I was confirmed in another denomination, do I need to be re-confirmed in the Catholic Church?
When someone has been baptized in another denomination, they are not re-baptized. People who have already been confirmed are re-confirmed and receive Communion as part of being brought into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

Get closer to God through RCIA at St. John the Evangelist. Whether as a candidate or sponsor, you will attain a high level of spirituality and grace through the teachings of Jesus.