8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. | Charlotte, NC 282778015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. | Charlotte, NC 28277
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Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens is a program designed to help prepare high school youth for the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.  This may include one or all of the sacraments depending upon where the teen is on their faith journey. There are five elements which make up the Sacramental journey for RCIT Candidates: RCIT Sessions, Be The Church, Retreat, Selection of Sponsor, Selection of Saint.

RCIT Program Sessions: With the exception of illness, teens are required to be present at all sessions of RCIT. If a teen misses, the parent must contact the Office of Faith Formation to arrange for that session to be made-up. Sessions take place on Sundays, 3:30 to 5 pm at the Ballantyne campus.

To inquire about registering your child, please contact Sarah Jerome.

2023-2024 Calendar of Sessions

BE THE CHURCH: During the program year, candidates are expected to begin to more closely discern how the Holy Spirit is guiding them to a role in the life of the parish. Each candidate is expected to participate in nine Be The Church experiences. The candidate must submit a reflection of their experiences via the link below. No more than two experiences may be the same and one experience outside of the parish is allowed.

Be The Church Opportunities
Be The Church Submissions

THE RETREAT: Candidates are expected to choose a retreat experience to complete their preparation. The preferred option for the 2023-2024 program year is the Life Teen Winter Retreat at Camp Thunderbird which will take place the weekend of Feb. 9-11. If a teen is unable to participate in that retreat, he or she will need to attend two day retreats that are held in the late winter/early spring (dates TBA).

THE SPONSOR: A candidate’s sponsor should be viewed as a lifelong guide in faith. The responsibility of the sponsor is to present the candidate to the Bishop at the Mass of Confirmation and to guide them in the Catholic faith everyday forward. A sponsor must be at least sixteen years of age, a practicing Catholic who has received all Sacraments of Initiation and lives a life of faith abiding by the truths and precepts of the Catholic Church. The sponsor can not be the parent or legal guardian of the candidate. Once chosen, the sponsor will need to complete the form found at the link below, or provide a letter from their home parish.

SPONSOR FORM

THE SAINT: Candidates will choose a saint to be their heavenly prayer champion and lifelong guide. The chosen will be the name used during the anointing and will be entered into the sacramental records alongside the candidate’s given baptismal name. Only names of canonized or beatified (blessed) saints recognized by the Catholic Church can be chosen as confirmation saints. Candidates are expected to write a personal reflection at least three paragraphs in length which tells of who you are, who your saint is and why you feel a connection to this saint. 

SAINT ESSAY

  • 10
    Dec

    Mass - Life Teen
    Sunday, December 10
    5:30 pm-6:30 pm
    St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA

  • 17
    Dec

    Mass - Life Teen
    Sunday, December 17
    5:30 pm-6:30 pm
    St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA

Full Calendar