Christian children validly baptized in a non-Catholic Church who wish to become members of the Roman Catholic Church are welcomed into full communion through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) adapted for children. These children, already members of the household of God by virtue of their Christian Baptism are led to the celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist according to the norms of the "Reception of Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church." See RCIA, Part II, Chapter 5.
The child will:
- Receive suitable catechesis and spiritual formation.
- Participate in the "Call to Continuing Conversion" in the Cathedral on First Sunday of Lent.
- Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent prior to reception into the Full Communion.
- Be received into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church ordinarily at a Sunday Mass celebrated during the Easter Season.
- Observe the season of Easter as a time of post-baptismal catechesis (i.e. Mystagogy).
Resources for the Christian Initiation of Children
Coffey, Kathy, Children: Christian Initiation, A Practical Guide (also 4 parent booklets on each of the 4 periods). .
Senseman, Rita Burns, A Child’s Journey: The Christian Initiation of Children. St. Anthony Messenger Press: Cincinnati, OH, 1998. 513-241-5615. Resource book with sample sessions.
Bitney, James, A Christian Initiation: A Junior High Catechesis. Benzinger: Mission Hills, CA, 1996.
