The RCIA process is not only for the unbaptized, but for the baptized who need catechesis. As other posters have stated, most parishes simply don’t have the resources to offer a separate course of preparation for the baptized and unbaptized. In my experience, the rites themselves may differ, but the participants, no matter their baptismal status, generally need the same catechesis. Sometimes the baptized have a more difficult time than the unbaptized, because of their struggles to “let go” of some of their prior incorrect beliefs. And sometimes the baptized know less about, or have more misunderstandings about, Catholicism than the unbaptized do.
Most Catholics in the pews are confused about what the participants are called and about the Rites. It is required that a clear distinction between the baptized and unbaptized be maintained during the formal rites, but during the catechesis, the baptized and unbaptized can learn together.
for the unbaptized:
Period 1: ***Period of Inquiry or Pre-Evangelization ***(participants are called Inquirers).
Period 2: Period of the Catechumenate (commitment to learning about the faith and Catholic lifestyle). Participants have the Rite of Acceptance, during which they are marked with the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads, and they become Catechumens.
Period 3: Period of Purification and Enlightenment (generally during the season of Lent, which still includes catechesis but involves deeper spiritual preparation for the sacraments). On or about the First Sunday of Lent, participants have the Rite of Sending in the parish, and then the Rite of Election with the bishop, and then they are called the Elect. During this period, there are other minor rites for the Elect, including the Scrutinies, Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer, and Presentation of the Creed.
Period 4: Period of Mystagogy (upon receiving the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion). This period helps participants to apply the mysteries of the faith to their daily lives asnew Catholics. They are also called Neophytes (for one year).
for uncatechized but baptized Christians:
Period 1: Period of Inquiry. Many of the baptized don’t need this period once they decide to proceed. The pastor or RCIA leader helps to assess where the individuals are in the understanding and living of the faith.
Period 2: Period of the Catechumenate. Baptized participants are not called catechumens, but they still participate in the process, which is also called the “Catechumenate.” The Rite of Welcoming of Candidates is optional and it is up to individual pastors to offer it to the candidates. During this rite, the participants also receive a Sign of the Cross on their foreheads. Catholics who need Confirmation and First Eucharist are called Candidates for Confirmation and Eucharist. Non-Catholics who are validly baptized are called Candidates for Full Communion, or more technically, "Candidates for catechetical instruction leading to full communion of the Catholic Church”.
Period 3: Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Candidates may participate in the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion, usually on or about the First Sunday of Lent, but it is an optional rite and is at the discretion of the pastor. Another optional minor rite, usually the Second Sunday of Lent, is the Penitential Rite. Candidates are still called Candidates. They’re already part of the Elect because they are baptized, so they don’t participate in the Rite of Election with the unbaptized.
Period 4: Period of Mystagogy. (see above). After the unbaptized are baptized, non-Catholic Candidates make a profession of faith during the Rite of Reception. Afterwards, the newly-baptized and the candidates are Confirmed and receive First Eucharist (if they are celebrating the sacraments of initiation during the same Mass)
I assumed this was the norm. But us candidates didn’t have a cross put on our foreheads at the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming. Isn’t this the way most parishes do it?