readings & videos for rcia
The videos and websites listed below are designed to give you a start on each topic. We’ve kept most of them short to make this as doable as possible.
Before you start, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to hear and understand each topic. Remember, this period of formation is about both your head and your heart.
We also encourage you to go further – this list is just a quick introduction. Be guided by the questions you have or the areas you’d like to dive deeper into. We’ve included various styles of videos - you may find a presenter or style that appeals to you - pursue those ones first. (NB. Not everything on the internet is reliable! If you’re not sure about a website, ask your sponsor or one of the team.)
Along the way, make a note in your journal of anything that surprises you or any questions you have, so you can chat about these with your sponsor.
The overview of the RCIA timeline and dates for each session is available at www.ec.org.au/rcia25.
Module 1: (below)
The Trinity, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, The Bible
Go to Module 2
Sacraments, The Mass
Go to Module 3
Prayer, Mary & the Saints, The Christian Life
(plus a variety of other topics)
Module 1
Topic 1: The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Watch:
“The Trinity”
Catholic Central [5 min]
“First Commandment”
Restless Catholic [4 min]
“Explaining the Trinity to Someone New to Christianity”
Catholic Answers [11 min]
Go further:
Watch:
“The Meaning of the Trinity” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l-Lv9tGQwI (Bishop Robert Barron) – 9 min
“What is the Trinity?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOHfdixzok (Bishop Robert Barron) – 14 min
Read:
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Articles 232-263: https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church/82/
At Home with God’s People: “In Search of God”, pp 9-16
Topic 2: Jesus
Watch:
“Who is Jesus?”
Catholic Central [7 min]
“Walk Through Walls: Meeting the Risen Jesus”
Pat Keady [7 min]
“Encounter Jesus”
Archbishop Mark Coleridge [4 min]
“The Chosen scene: John 3:16”
The Chosen series [10 min]
“Who is Jesus?”
Alpha Film Series [25 min]
Read:
“Jesus Christ” sections at Catholic Enquiry Centre
(there are several sections to read about Jesus)
Go further:
Watch:
Full “Walk Through Walls” series https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNszPcSbS-Tk28bTdWxJIgls8rIuPyJXC (playlist of 3 videos by Emmanuel Community, following the first video in list above)
“Who is Jesus?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y4xacvLUXo (Bishop Robert Barron) – 4 min
“Who is Jesus and what makes him unique?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aZsH-Ca7WU (Bishop Robert Barron) – 4 min
“The Historical Jesus” https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/articles/the-historical-jesus/ (Archdiocese of Brisbane) – 7 min
“The Chosen” TV series https://thechosen.tv/app
Read:
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Articles 430-455: https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church/128/
At Home with God’s People: “The God of Revelation” pp 45-52
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) – choose one and read it through!
Topic 3: The Holy Spirit
Watch:
“Holy Spirit”
Bible Project [4 min]
“Pentecost”
Catholic Central [2 min]
“The Holy Spirit”
Catholic Central [4 min]
“Untapped: The Catholic Church’s Best Kept Secret”
Pat Keady [7 min]
Go further:
Watch:
Full “Untapped: Discovering the Power of the Holy Spirit” series (playlist of 3 videos by Emmanuel Community) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNszPcSbS-Tk8C0z0wwfmSoWzAOLnVP2T
“Pentecost: Acts 1-7” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA (Bible Project) – 6 min
“The Holy Spirit” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INut0Gi09Q (Bishop Robert Barron) – 12 min
Read:
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Articles 683-747: https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church/198/
At Home with God’s People: “The God of Revelation” pp 45-52
Topic 4: The Bible
Watch:
“What is the Bible?”
The Bible Project [5 min]
“The Story of the Bible”
The Bible Project [5 min]
“The Gospel”
The Bible Project [5 min]
“The Bible”
Restless Catholic [4 min]
Go further:
Watch:
Full “How to Read the Bible” series - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0Szn1yYNedn4FbBMMtOlGN-BPLQ54IH (playlist of 19 videos by The Bible Project following on first two videos above)
“How to Read the Bible” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha5flTRTZWY (Bishop Robert Barron) – 7 min
Read:
Catechism of the Catholic Church: Articles 101-317: https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church/50/
At Home with God’s People: “The Bible: The Word of God” pp 27-38
Catholic Teaching on Sacred Scripture https://scripture.catholic.edu.au/index.php/home/foundations/catholic-teaching-on-sacred-scripture