Today, infant baptism remains the common practice, but the RCIA process is a more developed practice with rituals (rites) along the way to make the stages of development on the journey to baptism. The journey really begins before an interested person ever steps into a church. Something inspires that person to come. It may be the prompting of the Holy Spirit to an open heart. It may be the faith they saw in another person. It may be because of an invitation from a Catholic friend to come to church. Something or someone has ignited a spark in the seeker. That leads them to inquire about becoming Catholic.

Once the initial contact is made by calling the parish office, speaking to the priest, deacon or RCIA Coordinator, they begin a period of inquiry where the person (called an inquirer or seeker) begins to learn the very basics of the Catholic Faith. After a short period of time, the inquirer undergoes what is called the Rite of Acceptance (for unbaptized) or Rite of Welcoming (for those baptized in another Christian denomination). Here they (with sponsors) attest to their interest in becoming Catholic and agree to continue. Then follows the Period of the Catechumenate. A catechumen is an unbaptized person learning more deeply about the Catholic faith. A candidate is a person baptized in another denomination preparing to be received into the Catholic Church. If the person chooses to continue, at the beginning of Lent they will undergo the Rites of Sending and Election when they become members of the Elect; those in final preparation for baptism or reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. The period from the Rite of Election to the Easter Vigil is known as the Period of Enlightenment with final "studies".

Those to be baptized, confirmed, and receive first Communion do so at the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil is the most Solemn Liturgy of the Year. The Easter Vigil recalls the history of God's relationship with His people as told in the Old Testament and celebrates Jesus rising into new life. Therefore, it is appropriate that those who have been preparing themselves in RCIA receive Baptism at the Easter Vigil to enter into new life with Jesus.