Are RCIA classes required?

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Hello, I am unbaptized but have always considered myself to be a non-denominational Christian. I have read both the Old and New Testament several times, pray regularly, and my attendance at churches has been off and on in the past. I have been dating a catholic girl for ~9 months and have started attending mass with her and reading some books on Catholicism. I haven’t made a final decision yet but am seriously considering converting. The priest at the closest Church said RCIA classes are in session all year round and it takes a year or more for someone to complete them.

My problem is I am working full time and will be starting PhD classes soon as well (I will continue to work full time while doing so). This would make it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to attend RCIA classes weekly for over a year. So is there any way to bypass the RCIA classes alltogether? As I said I have been doing a lot of personal research and prayer as I plan to make sure that joining the Catholic Church is the right decision for me before I even consider enrolling in RCIA classes. If it’s not an option then is then some sort of “advanced class” that I could take so I dont spend a year or more in RCIA classes while trying to do everything else.

Waiting to join the Church until after I complete my PhD courses isn’t a very good option for a few reasons. First off, if I finally make the final decision that it is the right thing for me I certainly dont want to have to wait several years to go through the process of jointing. Secondly, As I mentioned in another post there has been some talk of the possibility of marriage in our future and for that to happen I would likely be looking at the Pauline Privilidge since I am divorced. So I would have to join the Church before I could go that route. That process will likely take quite some time itself so waiting ~3 years for me to complete the PhD program before even starting the proces of joining the church also doesn’t work.

So any advice? Thanks in advance.
 
newbie10 said:
Hello, I am unbaptized but have always considered myself to be a non-denominational Christian. I have read both the Old and New Testament several times, pray regularly, and my attendance at churches has been off and on in the past. I have been dating a catholic girl for ~9 months and have started attending mass with her and reading some books on Catholicism. I haven’t made a final decision yet but am seriously considering converting. The priest at the closest Church said RCIA classes are in session all year round and it takes a year or more for someone to complete them.

My problem is I am working full time and will be starting PhD classes soon as well (I will continue to work full time while doing so). This would make it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to attend RCIA classes weekly for over a year. So is there any way to bypass the RCIA classes alltogether? As I said I have been doing a lot of personal research and prayer as I plan to make sure that joining the Catholic Church is the right decision for me before I even consider enrolling in RCIA classes. If it’s not an option then is then some sort of “advanced class” that I could take so I dont spend a year or more in RCIA classes while trying to do everything else.

Waiting to join the Church until after I complete my PhD courses isn’t a very good option for a few reasons. First off, if I finally make the final decision that it is the right thing for me I certainly dont want to have to wait several years to go through the process of jointing. Secondly, As I mentioned in another post there has been some talk of the possibility of marriage in our future and for that to happen I would likely be looking at the Pauline Privilidge since I am divorced. So I would have to join the Church before I could go that route. That process will likely take quite some time itself so waiting ~3 years for me to complete the PhD program before even starting the proces of joining the church also doesn’t work.

So any advice? Thanks in advance.
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I am the lay director of RCIA for our parish, and have had quite a bit of experience in what you’re talking about here.

Based on what you have said, RCIA would be necessary. Many parishes will make accomodations for people with work or school schedules that prevent them from attending regular sessions. Our parish program has catechists that strictly work with these types of individuals.

If you are thinking you’re going to get married again, you are going to need to start that paperwork right away. These situations aren’t resolved overnight. In fact, you may be required to get that completed before you join the church.

The best thing to do is to contact the priest, or the director of the program and explain your situation, and find out what they can do for you.

The simplest answer to your question is yes, you will need to go through RCIA
 
In addition to the other posting, you may want to get a copy of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” first printed in the USA in March 2000.
This contains the required beliefs of Catholics on matters of Faith and Morals.
 
There are ways around RCIA, typically any Priest has authority to allow entrance however since you were once married and do not consider yourself married today that is a problem. On a practical side it depends largely on your location or more specifically access to priests. If you are in a rural area with one overworked priest RCIA is really best. In all cases you need to start with a priest or marriage ministry. It would be a strain to ask to receive sacraments as a “divorced” catholic. In areas with more priest ( or deacons) you could arrange individual evaluations of your understanding of Church teachings, but you still need to clear up the past marriage.

hope that helps
 
=newbie10;6644438]Hello, I am unbaptized but have always considered myself to be a non-denominational Christian. I have read both the Old and New Testament several times, pray regularly, and my attendance at churches has been off and on in the past. I have been dating a catholic girl for ~9 months and have started attending mass with her and reading some books on Catholicism. I haven’t made a final decision yet but am seriously considering converting. The priest at the closest Church said RCIA classes are in session all year round and it takes a year or more for someone to complete them.
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My problem is I am working full time and will be starting PhD classes soon as well (I will continue to work full time while doing so). This would make it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to attend RCIA classes weekly for over a year. So is there any way to bypass the RCIA classes alltogether? As I said I have been doing a lot of personal research and prayer as I plan to make sure that joining the Catholic Church is the right decision for me before I even consider enrolling in RCIA classes. If it’s not an option then is then some sort of “advanced class” that I could take so I dont spend a year or more in RCIA classes while trying to do everything else.
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Waiting to join the Church until after I complete my PhD courses isn’t a very good option for a few reasons. First off, if I finally make the final decision that it is the right thing for me I certainly dont want to have to wait several years to go through the process of jointing. Secondly, As I mentioned in another post there has been some talk of the possibility of marriage in our future and for that to happen I would likely be looking at the Pauline Privilidge since I am divorced. So I would have to join the Church before I could go that route. That process will likely take quite some time itself so waiting ~3 years for me to complete the PhD program before even starting the proces of joining the church also doesn’t work.
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So any advice? Thanks in advance.
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As a rule YES RCIA is required because you can’t commit to something you don’t know.

Cll your priest and amke an appointment; perhaps you and he can work out some special arrangement

Love and prayrs,
Pat
 
As previous posters have written, it’s essential that you meet with the pastor asap to begin the process of petitioning for the nullity of your marriage.

Part of the RCIA process is your demonstrating your commitment to living the Catholic lifestyle; it is not merely a matter of learning what we believe and how we worship. So you would of course be expected to attend Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation. Many parishes have RCIA sessions on Sundays after one of their Masses, which you might be able to incorporate into your schedule. If this is not the case with the parish you and your girlfriend attend, perhaps the pastor will allow you to attend sessions in a nearby parish, but still meet with him or one of the other RCIA leaders occasionally.
 
newbie10 said:
Hello, I am unbaptized but have always considered myself to be a non-denominational Christian. I have read both the Old and New Testament several times, pray regularly, and my attendance at churches has been off and on in the past. I have been dating a catholic girl for ~9 months and have started attending mass with her and reading some books on Catholicism. I haven’t made a final decision yet but am seriously considering converting. The priest at the closest Church said RCIA classes are in session all year round and it takes a year or more for someone to complete them.

My problem is I am working full time and will be starting PhD classes soon as well (I will continue to work full time while doing so). This would make it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to attend RCIA classes weekly for over a year. So is there any way to bypass the RCIA classes alltogether? As I said I have been doing a lot of personal research and prayer as I plan to make sure that joining the Catholic Church is the right decision for me before I even consider enrolling in RCIA classes. If it’s not an option then is then some sort of “advanced class” that I could take so I dont spend a year or more in RCIA classes while trying to do everything else.

Waiting to join the Church until after I complete my PhD courses isn’t a very good option for a few reasons. First off, if I finally make the final decision that it is the right thing for me I certainly dont want to have to wait several years to go through the process of jointing. Secondly, As I mentioned in another post there has been some talk of the possibility of marriage in our future and for that to happen I would likely be looking at the Pauline Privilidge since I am divorced. So I would have to join the Church before I could go that route. That process will likely take quite some time itself so waiting ~3 years for me to complete the PhD program before even starting the proces of joining the church also doesn’t work.

So any advice? Thanks in advance.
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RCIA would be required, RCIA classes are not.
 
Some type of RCIA is required for unbaptized persons to join the church, but this can even take the form of 1-on-1 sessions with a priest or lay instructor and not in a class, most parishes or dioceses will work with people to fit their schedule.

I saw you mentioned a possible Pauline Privilege in your initial post. I received permission to marry in the Church via the Pauline Privilege, I was baptized/confirmed this past Easter. I don’t know how much you know about this but the basics are that neither you or your ex-spouse where baptized at the time of your marriage and you ex-spouse is still not baptized. Also I had to give evidence to show that the failure of the marriage was the fault of my ex and not mine ( I don’t know if all diocese require this). When I marry my fiancée next month my previous marriage will be dissolved.
 
My husband and I were evangelical Christians and were able to prepare individually with a priest, rather than attending RCIA. We studied the Catechism and met with him every 2 weeks for about 7 months until we were received into the Church. I think this is a fairly uncommon practice, but the priest we were prepared by prefers this approach for Christians who know a lot about the Bible and the faith. It is hard though because most priests have thousands of parishioners and just don’t have time for this kind of one-on-one teaching. We definitely know how blessed we are to have had the experience.

Good luck to you and welcome home!
 
no RCIA classes per se are not absolutely required, but RCIA is not all, or even primarily about a formal class, it is a process and a journey of faith that happens with and through the Church, specifically through one’s parish and the priests and laity who facilitate and direct the process, and whose job it is to care for you pastorally and assist in the discernment of your conversion.

Yes if your parish has chosen to implement RCIA as directed by the bishops as the means to bring you into the Church, they must do all of RCIA as specified, not pick and choose what to do or not do (other than legitimate variations contained in the rites for specific cases). A pastor may in his judgment use other means to supervise your instruction in the faith and reception of sacraments, but then it would not be RCIA.

You might want to ask your pastor to help you look around for a parish with a more friendly schedule. I find it hard to believe (having spent a lot of time in grad schools around grad students) that in 3 years you will be doing nothing with your free time except study and research. Yes a parish who fully implements RCIA can be creative, if they have time, people and resources, with providing for the study portion of your preparation, but the rites are the rites, they happen in church at the time and place specified, when you are ready for them. That part cannot be outsourced.

Another option is to see if the Catholic Student Center on campus, or the nearest parish that caters to students on your campus, has an RCIA program that is more accessible to you.
 
You will need some sort of formal Catechisis before you can receive the sacraments (inc baptism) and you will most certianly have to discuss your marriage issue. I would follow the previously perscribed recommendations here, including serious prayer and study. I too would recommend the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but I would also recommend tuning into ewtn (on local radio, satallite or www.ewtn.com) and listening. You will learn quite a lot this way, the deeper knowlege (from primary sources) can follow later.

I’d also recommend Steve Ray’s Gosple of St. John commentary/study guide. You can get it cheap on Amazon.
 
newbie10 said:
Hello, I am unbaptized but have always considered myself to be a non-denominational Christian. I have read both the Old and New Testament several times, pray regularly, and my attendance at churches has been off and on in the past. I have been dating a catholic girl for ~9 months and have started attending mass with her and reading some books on Catholicism. I haven’t made a final decision yet but am seriously considering converting. The priest at the closest Church said RCIA classes are in session all year round and it takes a year or more for someone to complete them.

My problem is I am working full time and will be starting PhD classes soon as well (I will continue to work full time while doing so). This would make it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to attend RCIA classes weekly for over a year. So is there any way to bypass the RCIA classes alltogether? As I said I have been doing a lot of personal research and prayer as I plan to make sure that joining the Catholic Church is the right decision for me before I even consider enrolling in RCIA classes. If it’s not an option then is then some sort of “advanced class” that I could take so I dont spend a year or more in RCIA classes while trying to do everything else.

Waiting to join the Church until after I complete my PhD courses isn’t a very good option for a few reasons. First off, if I finally make the final decision that it is the right thing for me I certainly dont want to have to wait several years to go through the process of jointing. Secondly, As I mentioned in another post there has been some talk of the possibility of marriage in our future and for that to happen I would likely be looking at the Pauline Privilidge since I am divorced. So I would have to join the Church before I could go that route. That process will likely take quite some time itself so waiting ~3 years for me to complete the PhD program before even starting the proces of joining the church also doesn’t work.

So any advice? Thanks in advance.
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What is more important, becoming fully initiated into the Church and getting married in the Catholic Church, or a PhD degree??? If you were on your death bed, which would you have preferred to have done??? Standing before God???

This is a matter of discernment.

God bless,

Fdesales
 
fdesales said:
What is more important, becoming fully initiated into the Church and getting married in the Catholic Church, or a PhD degree??? If you were on your death bed, which would you have preferred to have done??? Standing before God???

This is a matter of discernment.

God bless,

Fdesales
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I admire your enthusiasm, and dedication… But why shouldnt’ he attempt persuing both? Or wait on the one until he is free (either temporarly via summer break or somethign or permentently if not that far off)? There is such thing as a baptism of desire… If he can obtain teachings, and does in fact desire to be more perfectly with the Lord, do you really thing the perfect judge of heart and soul would not consider this should he tragically die before it can happen?

Of course I do personally believe, as do many others that with a little effort there’s no real reason both can’t be happening at the same time. Again I’m not trying to knock what you say per-se, I just want to make sure that our enthusasim doesn’t limit the options 🙂
 
newbie10 said:
Hello, I am unbaptized but have always considered myself to be a non-denominational Christian. I have read both the Old and New Testament several times, pray regularly, and my attendance at churches has been off and on in the past. I have been dating a catholic girl for ~9 months and have started attending mass with her and reading some books on Catholicism. I haven’t made a final decision yet but am seriously considering converting. The priest at the closest Church said RCIA classes are in session all year round and it takes a year or more for someone to complete them.

My problem is I am working full time and will be starting PhD classes soon as well (I will continue to work full time while doing so). This would make it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to attend RCIA classes weekly for over a year. So is there any way to bypass the RCIA classes alltogether? As I said I have been doing a lot of personal research and prayer as I plan to make sure that joining the Catholic Church is the right decision for me before I even consider enrolling in RCIA classes. If it’s not an option then is then some sort of “advanced class” that I could take so I dont spend a year or more in RCIA classes while trying to do everything else.

Waiting to join the Church until after I complete my PhD courses isn’t a very good option for a few reasons. First off, if I finally make the final decision that it is the right thing for me I certainly dont want to have to wait several years to go through the process of jointing. Secondly, As I mentioned in another post there has been some talk of the possibility of marriage in our future and for that to happen I would likely be looking at the Pauline Privilidge since I am divorced. So I would have to join the Church before I could go that route. That process will likely take quite some time itself so waiting ~3 years for me to complete the PhD program before even starting the proces of joining the church also doesn’t work.

So any advice? Thanks in advance.
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It is not necessary to go through RCIA to become Catholic. I know of someone who met one on one with a priest and was brought into the Church seperately from the RCIA group at the same parish. Maybe that is still RCIA in some sense, but the point is you can come into the Church without going to RCIA group meetings, etc. I would just ask priests about it.
 
jfoges said:
It is not necessary to go through RCIA to become Catholic. I know of someone who met one on one with a priest and was brought into the Church seperately from the RCIA group at the same parish. Maybe that is still RCIA in some sense, but the point is you can come into the Church without going to RCIA group meetings, etc. I would just ask priests about it.
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For adults, RCIA is the way to become Catholic. What RCIA consists of will vary with parish, diocese, etc. RCIA is not the same as group meetings, or classes.
 
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