Why Take the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults?? This is the most important question, and the answer is deeply personal. People are drawn to the Catholic Church for many different reasons, but here are some of the most common ones. See if any of these resonate with you.

To Find Answers to Life's Big Questions

Do you find yourself asking, "What is my purpose?" "Is there more to life than this?" "Who is God, and what does He want from me?" RCIA is a journey of discovery, providing a 2,000-year-old tradition of faith, reason, and profound wisdom to help you grapple with these questions.

To Find a Spiritual Home and Community

Many people feel a sense of being spiritually "homeless." You may have been attending Mass with a spouse or friend and feel a pull to belong. The Catholic Church is a vast, global family, and RCIA is the doorway into your local parish family—a place to build friendships, find support, and worship alongside others who share your faith.

To Deepen Your Relationship with Jesus Christ

At its heart, RCIA is not about joining a club; it's about falling more deeply in love with a person: Jesus Christ. The journey is designed to help you encounter Jesus personally through prayer, the Scriptures, and especially through the Sacraments, above all the Eucharist—where Catholics believe He is truly and substantially present.

To Complete What Was Started

If you were baptized Catholic but never received your First Communion or Confirmation, RCIA is the path to complete your initiation. It’s an opportunity to claim the faith of your childhood as your own, understand it on an adult level, and receive the incredible graces of the sacraments you've been missing.

To Live an Integrated Life

Perhaps you already believe what the Catholic Church teaches but have never taken the step to officially join. RCIA provides the path to bring your outward life into alignment with your inward beliefs, allowing you to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.

The first step is simply one of inquiry. Now is the perfect time to ask, as many parishes, including those here in the Richmond area, are starting new RCIA inquiry sessions for the fall. Contacting your local parish to ask about their RCIA program carries no obligation, but it could be the first step on the most beautiful journey of your life.