Student Life 

If you are seeking membership in the community of Catholic believers...

Campus Ministry of St. Joseph's University offers a program involving a total formation process which culminates in reception of the sacraments of initiation, which are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The program involves a journey of faith and conversion in which a person is introduced to the beliefs, life, liturgy, and apostolic work of the Catholic Community. This program is officially called by the Church the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). At SJU, it will ordinarily run for 24 weeks, with the sacraments of initiation being received at Easter.

The RCIA is designed primarily for those desiring Baptism. However, since Christians who are already baptized in another denomination may be seeking membership in the Catholic Church, the RCIA is adapted to their needs. Finally, the RCIA can also be adapted to the needs of those who have been baptized as Catholics but were unable to complete their initiation as members of the Church and are now seeking the sacrament of Confirmation. Both of these adaptations attempt to meet the needs and desires of each participant, which in turn will determine the length of time required.

If you are seeking sacramental confirmation of your faith...

For those who have been baptized in the Catholic faith but for whatever reason(s) were unable to complete their initiation by receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, the program known as the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is adapted accordingly. RCIA is a program involving a journey of faith and ongoing conversion in which a person is invited to reflect prayerfully on the beliefs, life, liturgy, and apostolic work of the Catholic Community. Each person's particular needs and desires will determine the length of the adapted program. Usually a special date is set toward the end of second semester for baptized Catholics seeking only the sacrament of Confirmation.

For more information on any program, contact: