The theme of Discipleship was the focus of a bilingual retreat offered for those involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in parishes around the Diocese. Held Feb. 28 in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, and sponsored by the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis, the retreat brought together some 170 R.C.I.A. team members, elect and candidates who spent the afternoon hearing reflections and participating in small group discussions on Discipleship, Lectio Divina and guided and silent meditations on the Lord’s Prayer. The day concluded with a prayer service and dinner.

Retreat leaders included Josue Arriola, director of the diocesan Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life, who led the Spanish-speaking sessions, and Sister of St. Joseph Geraldine Muller, who is on staff in San Alfonso Retreat House, West End, who led the English-speaking sessions.

The R.C.I.A. is the Catholic Church’s official process for person’s seeking to become Catholic. The unbaptized are initially known as catechumens, but then go on to become members of the elect after their participation in the Rite of Election, which this year was held Feb. 14 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Those who had been baptized Catholic but had never completed their Sacraments of Initiation and those who were baptized in other Christian faith traditions are known as candidates. At the coming Easter Vigil, the elect will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Holy Communion, while the candidates will be confirmed and receive First Holy Communion. 

More to come on this story.