Three Steps:

The four periods and three steps of the RCIA are the Period of Inquiry, first step Rite of Acceptance into Order of Catechumens, Period of Catechumenate, second step Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names, Period of Purification and Enlightenment, third step Celebration of Sacraments of Initiation, Period of Postbapismal Catechesis of Mystagogy.

Step 1:

Period of Inquiry

The Rite of Acceptance into Order of Catechumens

• To become acquainted with the Catholic Church and
• To hear the good news of salvation from Jesus Christ our Savior;
• It is a time to look within at one's one life story and see connections to or needs for the gospel story of good news.
• During this period, the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed, and inquirers look within their own story to make and mark connections.
• This reflective process becomes a continuing, on-going method used by inquirer and member alike.
• This period lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years, if necessary.
• The Inquirer writes a formal letter, when ready, stating that s/he is ready to move to the Catechumenate phase, stating why they want to move and how they see himself or herself as ready.
• During this period, some may decide that this is not the right time for them to consider membership in the Catholic Church, either because of their own life circumstances or because they feel some other Tradition is better for them.

Step 2:

Period of Catechumenate

Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names

• For a person to enter this phase, s/he must already have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and sincerely desire to become members of the Catholic Church.
• During this phase, the catechumens now gather with the Catholic community on Sundays for the first part of the mass, during which, together, we hear the Scriptures, respond to them, and reflect on the meaning of God's Word for us personally and as community through the homily. After the homily, catechumens are dismissed , and with their Catechist, continue a process of reflection and application of the Scriptures to their own lives.
• During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated; the person comes to know more and more deeply the love of God in their own lives and in the midst of the church community. This period, too, lasts as long as the person needs it to last, from a few months to several years, if necessary.
• For the unbaptized, this phase must normally last 12 months.

Step 3:

Period of Purification and Enlightenment

Celebration of Sacraments of Initiation

• By the waters of baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ.
• Anointing with special holy oil called chrism seals the initiation by the power of the Holy Spirit and participation at the Table of the Lord in the eucharist marks full membership in the church.
• Even though students are on Easter-break, those to be initiated and their Sponsors stay to take part in the Holy Sacraments of Initiation.

Four Aspects

The four aspects of formation presented in the catechumenate are the catechesis, spiritual development, Liturgy, and apostolic witness. The catechesis is what helps the catechumens understand the Church's teaching and to introduce them to the Mystery of Christ. Spiritual development is where they learn to pray, to witness the Gospel through the words and actions, and to love rooted in the hope that Christ makes possible. Liturgy is where the catechumens are supported by liturgical rites, especially celebrations of the Word, during Sunday mass with the community, and other times when celebrations of the Word are planned. Apostolic Witness is where catechumens learn to work with others to share the Gospel and to build up the Church through the witness of their actions and their profession of faith.