Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children

Rite of Christian Initiation in the Diocese of Ballarat

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and children is a process through which people proceed towards faith in Jesus Christ as expressed by full membership in the Catholic Church and is intended for those who are unbaptised and preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

The four major periods in the initiation process:

  • Period of Evangelisation and Pre-Catechumenate – Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
  • Period of Catechumenate – Rite of Election
  • Period of Purification and Enlightenment – Celebration of the Sacraments
  • Period of Mystagogy – Celebration with the Bishop.

To find out more about becoming a Catholic and the RCIA program, contact your parish priest.


Parish Handbooks for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults with Children of a Catechetical Age are available here.