Real Hope from the RCIA Survey
It’s not every day you look at a page full of stats and walk away feeling encouraged in your faith. But Journey Through Time pulls that off. This isn’t just a thesis loaded with numbers—it’s a snapshot of transformation. Dr. Laurence F. Aucella conducted a small but powerful study on RCIA completers in Connecticut. Only twenty participants, sure, but the findings? Big enough to turn heads—and hearts.
The survey showed that something real is happening in these RCIA groups. With a Phi coefficient of 0.517 and a Pearson Chi-Square score of 42.8 (p < .01), this study found a medium-to-large effect when it came to what motivated people to join and stay in the Church. That’s not just a technical win. It’s a spiritual one. It means the RCIA isn’t just another program. It’s working—and it’s changing lives.
Where Faith Meets Evidence
One hundred percent of respondents in the study said they felt spiritually fulfilled as a result of RCIA. That number alone speaks volumes. But then you find out that all twenty participants also said the group meetings were beneficial, and that the topics discussed were relevant to their lives. That’s not just a “yeah, it was nice.” That’s a full-on confirmation that faith formation done right can touch people exactly where they are.
Dig deeper into the stats and you’ll see patterns that matter: 75% of the people had someone who influenced them to join RCIA, and 80% said someone helped them stay. The takeaway? Community and personal connection aren’t just nice extras—they’re essential. The study shows that when parishes focus on support, mentorship, and real engagement, people don’t just learn about the faith. They live it.
And here’s the number that carries the weight—0.517. That’s the Phi coefficient measuring effect size. In simple terms, it tells us how strong the impact is. Anything over 0.5 is considered medium to large. For this kind of research, especially with such a small sample, that’s significant. It proves that the experience wasn’t just personally meaningful—it was statistically meaningful too. Faith didn’t just grow. It grew in measurable ways.
Faith, Research, and the Guy Who Gets Both
Dr. Laurence F. Aucella didn’t just drop in with a clipboard and a calculator. He walked with RCIA groups over four years—attending weekly meetings, witnessing Easter Vigil Masses, and even serving as a temporary sponsor. He’s lived this process with the people he studied. That shows in how he writes, and even more in what he chose to measure. With his background in counseling, psychology, education, and theological studies, he bridges the gap between data and discipleship.
Because of that, this isn’t just an academic study—it’s a testimony. The message is clear: the RCIA can do more than teach doctrine. It can open hearts. It can change lives. And yes, it can even prove it—with numbers and names, with prayers and Phi coefficients.
Journey Through Time:
The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation
by Laurence F. Aucella
The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation regards the process of RCIA, the process by which one becomes a convert to the Roman Catholic Faith. It also contains valuable history about Christianity and how it has evolved over the centuries that will aid in nourishing the faith and increased the knowledge of both new converts and […]