People in St. Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough, Mass., have continued the steps towards becoming Catholic, which will culminate at the Easter Vigil.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program at St. Rose of Lima Parish begins in the fall, meeting weekly towards the goal of participants being “initiated into the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil,” St. Rose of Lima’s website said.

The program’s first step is “the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate,” when an individual considers becoming a baptized member of the Catholic Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said. Next is the “Period of the Catechumenate,” when the individual considers many things, including “what Baptism in the Catholic Church means.”

The Rite of Election, when catechumens publicly express to the diocesan bishop that they want to be baptized, is next and usually happens on the first Sunday of Lent.

“Sunday (March 6) we sent our RCIA catechumen and candidates to the cathedral where they joined with catechumens (those to be baptized) and candidates (those to receive communion and/or confirmation) throughout the diocese,” St. Rose of Lima’s Facebook page said. “They were received by Bishop McManus and Kevin - our catechumen - added his name to the ‘book of the Elect.’ Please join us in prayer this Lent for Kevin, Lyndsey, Samantha and Anthony as they continue to deepen their faith and their connection to Christ and community. And join us this Easter Vigil as, together, we joyfully celebrate the reception of their sacraments - welcoming them as full members of the Church.”

Initiation into the Catholic faith is done at the Easter Vigil, which takes place on “Holy Saturday, the evening before Easter Sunday,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said.

In 2019, over 37,000 people were expected to become members of the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil Masses, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said.