Q. 1. What are the 5 stages of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)?

A. 1. The 5 main stages of the RCIA are:

• The Period of Inquiry:

This stage lasts as long as the person needs, be it a few months to several years. It allows time for the Catechumen to become familiar with the Catholic Church, to hear the good news, to determine how his/her life relates to the Gospel, etc... It is a time of reflection, of searching, and finally of decision making. When the Inquirer is ready to move on to the Catechumenate stage, he is required to write a letter that indicates why he/she wants to move on to the next stage and how they see himself or herself as ready. Some choose to leave the programme in order to continue their spiritual search elsewhere.

• The Period of the Catechumenate:

This is the first stage leading to full membership in the Catholic Church as a member of the congregation. To qualify, the person must have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and sincerely desire to become a member of the Catholic faith.

During this stage, the catechumen attends the Sunday Mass until the end of the homily. At that time, he is dismissed and meets with the Catechist to reflect how the Scriptures applies to his/her personal life.

This is a time of spiritual growth in one's personal relationship with God in the faith community. It is a period that can last months to several years, as the need may be. In the case of an unbaptised catechumen, this phase normally requires 12 months.

• The Period of Purification or Illumination:

The Period of Purification, a six weeks preparation for Easter, takes places during Lent.

This period becomes a prayerful time for catechumens and candidates, who are now known as the Elect, as they prepare for the moment of welcome as full members and are established as such by the Sacraments of Initiation.

This period is begun by the Rite of election, usually celebrated at the Cathedral Church with the Diocesan Bishop; by this rite they are accepted as candidates for the Sacraments by the Bishop, representing the fact that this decision is not theirs alone. Normally this rite takes place on the first Sunday of Lent.

Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at the Sunday Eucharist for the catechumens and candidates; they are called scrutinies; these prayers for strengthening in grace and virtue and for purification from all past evil and from any bonds which hinder them from experiencing the love of God. Throughout this period, the Elect are invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of works of charity and in the practice of fasting.

During this period, the common reflection on the Scriptures continues; the readings of Lent were chosen with the themes of continuing conversion in mind. Toward the end of the period, the Church continues the custom of "handing over" to the Elect the Creed (the summary of our faith) and the Lord's Prayer (which represents its practice of continuing prayer after the command of Jesus who taught us to pray).

• Celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation:

The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, which is an extended night-watch of prayer, singing and hearing the Word of God.

This is when the Catechumens are baptised (are born again in the new life of grace), are confirmed (anointed with special holy oil called chrism to welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit) and receive their First Communion. They are now member of the Body of Christ. They can now participate at the Table of the Lord in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

• Period of Mystagogy:

The Period of Mystagogy lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season, fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process:

Those who have just shared in the sacraments of initiation are now called Neophytes and during this period of Easter joy they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This period of time reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together.

[Source: https://udayton.edu/ministry/liturgy/becoming_catholic/five_stages.php]