The precatechumenate or inquiry stage starts when you first feel that tug that there must be something more in life. You find yourself curious and wanting to learn more about God. When you feel the spirit move you to the Catholic faith, you contact St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church and you will be officially enrolled in our 8-week inquiry group. You can be in this stage for as little or as long as you want.

Catechumenate (preparing to be Catholic): The catechumenate stage begins after you go through the Rite for Entrance (a special ritual you will experience). Catechumenate comes from the Latin catechumenus, meaning "one being instructed" in the teachings of the Church.  This is the stage you enter when you have made the conscience choice to be taught the teachings of the Ctaholic Church with the intent of becoming Catholic.  This stage typically lasts 10 - 12 months.

Purification and Enlightenment (intense preparation during Lent): This stage of the final preparation process starts with the Rite of Election (another ritual you will go through) and takes place during the 40 days of Lent. It is in this stage that you will experience the most intense part of your preparation before your official entry into the Church at the Saturday evening Easter Vigil Mass.

Initiation and Mystagogia (interpreting the mysteries)
This last stage has two steps.

1. Receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
2. Continuing to meet as a group for the 6 weeks of the Easter season called Mystagogia. This is a time for prayer and reflection to enter the mystery of the sacraments more deeply.

This stage might be the end of the RCIA process, but it is just the beginning of your faith journey. Like a newly sprouted plant, if you do not continue to drink from the well of Jesus through prayer, study, and frequenting the Sacraments, your new faith will shrivel up. We will help you transition to the next stage of your faith journey through community and lifelong learning.