Since 1988, RCIA has been mandated as the process of welcoming adults into full membership in the Roman Catholic Church, whether they are coming from another Christian denomination or through baptism. The faith journey has a flexible entry date. The four periods of the initiation process and the rites that link them toward the celebration of the Initiation Sacraments each have unique purposes and structures.   The RCIA is designed to be a progressive journey of faith and a recurrent experience of conversion.