Inquiry - The First Period

During the first period of the journey, the inquiry period, seekers ask hard questions about Christianity and receive truthful, life-sharing answers from Catholic Christians. The informal discussions during the inquiry period help the seekers link their personal life stories to the Good News as witnessed and lived by the Roman Catholic community.

As each inquirer desires to continue the conversion journey within our faith community, he or she is invited to experience the first major rite of the RCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance. Several times each year at Sunday Mass, inquirers enter the second period of the journey, the catechumenate, by being marked with the sign of the cross on the ears, eyes, lips, heart, shoulders, hands and feet -- a symbol of both the joys and the costs of Christian discipleship.

The period of inquiry takes as long as necessary for the inquirer to feel comfortable enough to proceed to next next step. It is a commitment he or she must be ready to make. Inquiry sessions are held weekly. There is no time frame other than the desire to learn more. There is no obligation other than that which the inquirer places on himself.

Approval to participate in the Rite of Acceptance is based on the inquirer's demonstration of his or her commitment to do so.