Are you considering the Catholic faith?

People are drawn to the Catholic faith in many ways.  At times it is through the practice of the faith that they observe in friends, coworkers, or spouses.  At other times it is through independent inquiry — whether that is in the form of more academic study of religions or simply attending churches and being drawn to a certain community.

Once an initial contact is made and the interest of the inquirer is clear, those who have never been baptized prepare for the catechumenate.  It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass.  The catechumens undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

Those who are previously baptized in another Christian tradition prepare as prospective candidates.  This initiation process prepares the candidate to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

To learn more about RCIA in the Diocese of Des Moines, contact John Gaffney.