Real Stories of Christian Initiation: Lessons for and from the Rcia

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) too often comes across as an abstract model that fails to consider the resources a parish possesses to implement it. This study of five U.S. parishes (given fictitious names) makes the RCIA real. These case studies are far from an indictment, but they do reveal weaknesses in the ways the RCIA program is currently implemented. Based on data from participant observation and interviews, the authors offer a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the church programs they researched. The authors assess the parish programs given their resources and especially their personnel. Pastors and directors of religious education will find this study helpful in evaluating and funding their own RCIA programs.