Initiation of Adults and Older Children (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the way in which adults are welcomed into the Catholic Church and complete their initiation. This applies to unbaptised adults who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), and those who have been baptised in other Christian communities who now wish to be received into the Catholic Church. In many parishes, RCIA groups often include adult Catholics who were baptised as infants and are now seeking to complete their Initiation.

Older children (those aged seven and above who have reached “catechetical age”) are also baptised and received into the Catholic Church through an adapted form of the RCIA. The number of such children coming forward to be received into the Church in our Diocese grows each year. The process for such children should be understood as one in which they are drawing closer to God, not as a ‘catching up’ with the sacraments.

This web page will allow you to access resources to aid your understanding of RCIA for adults and older children, catechetically and liturgically. It provides guidance for catechists and sponsors, the RCIA Preparation Pack, various articles on the RCIA as well as links to other useful websites.

RCIA 2026

RCIA Preparation Pack 2026

[This is now a shorter document than in previous years as it no longer contains an overview of the RCIA. That material can now be found in a new document called “A Guide to the RCIA” – see below.]

Resources

A Guide to the RCIA

Introductory Material for the RCIA

Useful Links

Information on the RCIA from the Liturgy Office, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Association for Catechumenal Ministry (ACM) – RCIA

Catholic Answers

Catholic Listeners

Evangelisation Events

Key Dates

Rite of Election 2026. All Deaneries to attend on one day.
Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Westminster Cathedral.
More information about the Rite can be found here, and photos from the Rite of Election are on Flickr.

Day and Mass for New Catholics
Date: Saturday 20 June 2026
Time: to be confirmed
Location: Vaughan House and Westminster Cathedral.

Rite of Election 2025

In 2025 there was one celebration of the Rite of Election for all parishes on Saturday 8 March at 2.30pm in the Cathedral. More information about the Rite can be found here, and photos from the Rite of Election are on Flickr here.

The Mass for New Catholics took place on Saturday 10 May at 6pm, in the Cathedral and was preceded by a reception and talk for new Catholics and their guests in Vaughan House, Westminster. Photos of the event and more information can be found here.

Continuing the Journey

“But those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Over the past year in your parish you may have taken part in discussions and liturgies as you prepared to be received into the Church at Easter. Now we wish to support you as an adult Catholic in this joyful but occasionally challenging time as you settle in.

So we are leading a series of events (some in-person, some online) for you and other new Catholics ain the first months after you are baptised or received into the Catholic Church. The events run from Eastertime to the following Lent and take place every year. These events will help you continue with others in your parish and meet new Catholics from other parishes as we deepen our relationship with Jesus and the Church. We hope they will help you will grow in your faith, learn more, discover useful resources and feel a deeper sense of belonging in the Church.