The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults involves preparation for and celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, which reveal the intimate relation of these sacraments to one another. The Rite is designed primarily for the initiation of unbaptized adults. The Rite also provides for the initiation of unbaptized children of catechetical age (approximately 7 to 14 years of age), as well as for welcoming baptized Catholics and non-Catholics into full communion with the Catholic Church.
R.C.I.A. consists of four distinct periods of formation: Period of Inquiry; Period of the Catechumenate; Period of Enlightenment and Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis (mystagogy).
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