RCIA DIRECTOR
Rite Of Christian Initiation Of Adults

PARISH DIRECTOR  RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

A Parish Director for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) designs a process for welcoming
new members into the Church. This includes Precatechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and
Enlightenment, and Mystagogy.

As a designer:
 • Articulates a vision, goals, and action plans for implementation for the RCIA within the parish.
 • Critiques insights from current literature and appropriately integrates into planning.

As a developer:
 • Develops an integrated approach in implementing the RCIA through faith formation
   and catechesis.
 • Recruits, provides training (parish, diocesan, or national level), supervises, and evaluates
   personnel who are part of the RCIA process:  team members, catechists, and sponsors.

As a director:
 • Identifies and empowers lay leadership within the parish community to assume various roles.
 • Coordinates the rites, liturgical/sacramental celebrations, and prayer experiences with
   appropriate parish leadership.

As an evaluator:
 • Evaluates the total process for the RCIA - catechists, sponsors, participants, and resources.
 • Presents feedback to the pastor/pastoral life coordinator and makes appropriate changes
   following evaluation feedback.

Personal Readiness
The effective Director for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is:

 • a person of faith and prayer, actively participating in Roman Catholic worship.
 • able to articulate the Roman Catholic faith, living a Catholic lifestyle.
 • possesses a working knowledge of the RCIA process, the spiritual journey, and
   discernment processes.
 • understands how to train catechists, sponsors, and team members.
 • able to empower others to share their faith.
 • understands developmental processes of groups and individuals.
 • participates in on-going spiritual formation and education opportunities.
 • able to work collaboratively with a team.


Professional Readiness for Parish Director of RCIA

 • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Theology, Pastoral Ministry, Religious Education or
   a related field or Bachelor's or Master's Degree in unrelated field with completion
   of components in Diocesan Certification Program (academic, pastoral/professional
   skills, spiritual formation).
 • Minimum of three (3) years of involvement in a parish RCIA process as a catechist or sponsor.
 • Attendance at one "Beginnings and Beyond"  Institute from the North American Forum.

Parish RCIA Directors are responsible for the following areas of welcoming
catechesis and formation in the parish.

Pre-Catechumenate
The initial introduction into the Christian way of life in the Catholic Faith Tradition.
Participants in this stage are called inquirers.

Catechumenate
Second period of initiation with intense preparation in word, worship, community, and service. 
Participants in this stage are called catechumens and have never been baptized.

Purification and Enlightenment
Third period of initiation occurring during the Lenten season. Catechumens in this stage are
called the elect.

Mystagogy
Final period lasting about one year in which the newly initiated reflect on the Paschal Mystery in
their lives and their commitment to the lifestyle as a Catholic. The newly initiated are called
neophytes.

RCIA Directors minister with:
 • enthusiasm
 • patience
 • acceptance
 • prayer
 • healing

For more information call or write:
The Catholic Center
Office for Adult Formation, Diocese of Evansville
4200 N. Kentucky Ave., P.O. Box 4169
 Evansville, IN   47724-0169
Phone: 812-424-5536    
Fax: 812-421-1334
www.evansville-diocese.org