After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which both unbaptized adults and those baptized in other Christian denominations learn about the Catholic faith and way of life. It is a spiritual formation process culminating with entry into the Catholic Church by celebrating the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism (if not previously baptized in a Christian denomination), Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Like the Christians of the early Church, catechumens will learn the faith not only through structured teaching but also by witnessing the behavior of the community around them. A person takes the first step of conversion when a decision is made to answer the call of the Holy Spirit and a desire is voiced to follow Jesus Christ. This person may be drawn to the faith by hearing the Word of God or seeing the good witness of other believers. The Holy Spirit draws people to the faith in whatever way He sees fit. The Holy Spirit is the driving force that leads people into the Church.

John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.' The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."