Can I Bypass RCIA?

[twopekinguys]

To the OP,

I am the lay director of RCIA in our parish, and I’m a convert. (15 years)

My case is only slightly different than yours. I called our parish office in time to start the RCIA process, but lo and behold, someone didn’t pass a message on, and by the time I checked back, it was too late to start that year. Ultimately, I went through the next year.

I too had a religious background (if you want to call it that). My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister, so faith based discussions, learning and teaching was a major part of my life.

I wouldn’t have traded the RCIA experience for anything in the world. As several have said, it isn’t merely learning about the church, it is also learning about ourselves, and each other. In other words, building community.

Our parish does offer the chance for private instruction with a priest, but only in exceptional circumstances. Individuals that receive this instruction are also advised they will need to attend RCIA once they have joined the church, in order to get a better understanding of everything. Even our priests know they can’t cover everything in a short period of time.

Think strongly about attending RCIA, I’m sure it will be worth the wait.

One on one instruction doesn’t always provide the best environment, because it tends to be less structured, topics can be missed, or just glossed over. Also, in a class type situation, a fellow classmate may raise a question you haven’t thought of, which could be of benefit to you.

 

[Tracy24]

I did not have the formal RCIA process as I live in a rural area, the parish here is composed primarily of cradle Catholics and there is not a steady stream of folks coming in wanting to convert so there is no DRE or RCIA program in place. The nearest parish with an RCIA program is 45 minutes away and not an option for most people here.

Anyway, my first meeting with the parish Priest was last March when my daughter was preparing for her first Communion with her grade 2 class at school. The children here receive their prep for Communion and Confirmation in school from their teachers.
When the Priest came for the home visit, I expressed my desire to become Catholic. He invited me to begin attending Mass weekly and arranged for one on one instruction one night a week. He got me the materials I needed and I did a lot of the work on my own. I started in March and was received into the Church on Friday, July 3, 2009 right after morning Mass. It was beautiful and a day I will never forget.

As for getting to know your fellow parishioners there are lots of ways to accomplish that. For me I took advantage of the after Mass BBQ’s last summer and I recently joined our parish council. We also have a CWL chapter here that I am considering joining and for the men there is the Knights of Columbus. Being a small town I knew quite a few people from my day to day life but by joining other groups I am meeting a lot of people I didn’t know which is great because I am a pretty shy person and this has kind of forced me to move past that and reach out to others.

The gist of my post is that you do not necessarily have to go through formal RCIA and that there are plenty of other ways to meet people and be active in your parish if you want to be.

 

[cctabb]

You do not have to go through RCIA. That said it would be a good thing for a bit of catechizes other than what you have self learned. I say that as a homeschooling parent raising my child to be a self learner.

My husband went through RCIA in 4 months. He entered into full communion in October. So, no, you do not have to wait until Easter.

Check with your parish priest. Explain the situation. If you need to you can try another parish if the answer you get is not to your liking. Remember all things will happen in God’s own time. You may not think you need classes, but maybe He does.

 

[onegreenclover]

I’m sure that you know a lot but the knowledge was just a tiny part of what RCIA is about. I’m so glad that I did it! I got to know people and feel comfortable with my community.

 

[StevenFrancis]

Okay, here’s my situation… I’m 20 years old, and was a non-denominational Protestant for as long as I can remember. My father used to be a Church of God (non-denom) minister back when I was 7 years old, and says that he baptized me (though I can’t remember it). I was homeschooled throughout my childhood since the 1st grade, and since I wasn’t exposed to the atheistic ideology present in our school systems today, I remained very passionate about my Faith. I’ve always loved reading theology, especially books by C.S. Lewis. However, I had never researched the whole “Catholic/Orthodox/Protestant question” until about 6 months ago. One of the things I like to do is write “essays” about various topics of the Faith, and I was planning on writing an essay about “Why The Catholic Church Is False.” But before I did, I knew I needed to do a lot of research so that I didn’t end up sounding stupid (glad I did that!) That’s why I began my research on Catholicism… and lo and behold every one of my arguments and presuppositions about the Catholic Church fell away upon examination.

To make a long story short, I’ve spent the last 6 months researching Catholicism (and the Orthodox Churches) like crazy… I’ve come to fully believe with every part of my soul that the Catholic Church is the Truth. I believe in the Real Presence, in the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Our Lady, in the Infallibility of the Church, in all the Sacraments, etc. I’ve participated in numerous Masses, though of course not taking Communion. So, naturally, I want to become a full member of the Church by being Confirmed.

However, when I attempted to join my local parish’s RCIA program this fall, I was told I had joined too late into the program and would have to wait until next year’s Easter Vigil to be confirmed I was totally heartbroken… on top of that, my soul is in torment because I’m still separated from Christ’s Body (the Church), and I can’t stand the idea of waiting that long to come into full communion! I have sins I need to confess, I want to receive Christ in the Eucharist, etc. And probably the worst part of all this is that I know I’m more knowledgeable about the Catholic Faith than any of the catechumens who are now just finishing that RCIA program! I’m not trying to boast, but it’s a simple fact… I felt I could have taught that RCIA class!

So anyways, if you haven’t guessed it by the title of this thread, my question is this: Can I bypass RCIA and be confirmed within a reasonable amount of time? I’ve tried looking elsewhere on the web for help, and it certainly seems that due to my particular circumstances (my knowledge about the Catholic Faith and the fact that I’m already a Christian), I shouldn’t have to wait until next year’s Easter Vigil. The RCIA guidelines are actually against me going through the whole RCIA program. Should I just contact my local diocese and ask to be confirmed (and conditionally baptized, since I can’t be sure my dad’s baptism was valid) in a private ceremony? Would that be appropriate? What does everyone think? I’m tired of waiting for no reason at all to become a Catholic

Thank you all in advance for your advice!

I was in a similar situation when I came to the Church. I went to RCIA for less than a year. From September up to the Easter Vigil. I actually ended up learning quite a bit, though I felt like I knew a great deal already as well. The times in the class were secondary to the other things. Our RCIA group left mass before the liturgy of the Eucharist, and went to separate room to discuss the liturgy of the word we had just participated in. We also had the a book in the lobby of the Church with our pictures and stories, and the parish prayed for us. There are the scrutines. The lenten journey, the candidate and catechumen retreat etc. which made this a very worth while experience, and of course coming into the Church during the Easter vigil is wonder and joy which is nearly indescribable. I’d just slow down. Spend some time in humility and silence. Take what they have to give you. I’m happy that you can’t just read some stuff off a website, walk into our Church and join. It has always been a process. Take a look at the Didache. If you have something to share, knowledge wise, then maybe speak up in your sessions. Maybe you could add to someone elses journey. Get involved. I think you’ll be surprised at how worthwhile the experience is. Having said all that, if you must be a Catholic right away for some reason, then you start with your RCIA coordinator, then parish Priest, then the Bishop, etc… God bless you in your journey, whatever you may decide.

Peace,

Steven

 

[selylidne]

I was in much the same position as the original poster, also. After I had done enough study and concluded I fully believed the Catholic Faith, I went the next day to talk to the local priest and see if I could confess. Oh, the frustration of waiting three years to be formally received! Furthermore, the teachers in the RCIA process where I ended up were unorthodox, which made it galling to be in submission to them.

Good fruit of the long process:

1. It taught patience!
2. It taught gentleness and humility by submitting to and respecting ignorant teachers for Christ’s sake.
3. They taught us the customs of Catholic life as the seasons progressed. The customs are inessential, but they have been conserved through the ages because they are amazingly important for our day-to-day spirituality.
4. We were eased into involvement in the parish’s ministries.
5. After that wait, the Easter vigil experience was truly awesome.

 

[3xblessed]

Hi there!
I can certainly understand how you are feeling, as I went through something similar last year. Starting last May, after several months of attending Mass every week and reading everything we could get our hands on about the faith, my husband and I asked if we could bypass RCIA and our request was denied. We knew with 100% certainty that we wanted to be Catholic, and had a deeper understanding of the faith than many cradle Catholics we knew. I was very annoyed that I would have to go through RCIA and wait almost an entire year to complete the process, when I felt I already understood everything.

My husband, children and I ended up going through RCIA this year, and I will say that in one respect I was right: I did already know almost everything they taught us in those classes. (In fact, our RCIA was taught by several volunteers in the church, and they asked my husband to consider teaching some of the RCIA classes in the future because of the depth of his knowledge.) However, I can also say that I discovered RCIA is not just about what you learn in the classes about the Catholic faith. Committing yourself to it for a year, going through all of the rites and maybe even more importantly feeling like an outsider waiting to be let in to God’s church deepened my faith considerably. You think you feel impatient, longing to be in God’s church and to take the Eucharist now? Imagine how much more so you would feel after going through a year of RCIA. The RCIA process is also important in becoming a member of your parish as well, as it allows others to get to know you and also to really see over time how seriously you take your commitment to the faith you share.

A year ago, I thought I already knew everything and I was ready to be a Catholic. Maybe I did already know pretty much everything already, and though I wouldn’t have believed it at the time, I still had more conversion in my heart that I would undergo over the course of a year. RCIA is not about passing a test and opening a gate; it’s really a valuable journey in itself. We just came into the Church officially at the Easter Vigil and it was well worth the wait.

~Holly

 

[shannonfbc]

I am glad you asked the question as I wanted the same one asked… my problem is 1. My faith is strong and has been for a long time… I have been studying very hard on my own 2. My local Parish doesnt even offer RCIA and neither does the next nearest one.

I have never been baptized and therefore I cannot confess nor have my sins forgiven it is truly a terrible state to be in and I dont want to wait until next year with the hopes that next year there might be enough interest to have RCIA and also hope that it doesnt conflict with my work schedule.

 

[thequeen]

Okay, here’s my situation… I’m 20 years old, and was a non-denominational Protestant for as long as I can remember. My father used to be a Church of God (non-denom) minister back when I was 7 years old, and says that he baptized me (though I can’t remember it). I was homeschooled throughout my childhood since the 1st grade, and since I wasn’t exposed to the atheistic ideology present in our school systems today, I remained very passionate about my Faith. I’ve always loved reading theology, especially books by C.S. Lewis. However, I had never researched the whole “Catholic/Orthodox/Protestant question” until about 6 months ago. One of the things I like to do is write “essays” about various topics of the Faith, and I was planning on writing an essay about “Why The Catholic Church Is False.” But before I did, I knew I needed to do a lot of research so that I didn’t end up sounding stupid (glad I did that!) That’s why I began my research on Catholicism… and lo and behold every one of my arguments and presuppositions about the Catholic Church fell away upon examination.

To make a long story short, I’ve spent the last 6 months researching Catholicism (and the Orthodox Churches) like crazy… I’ve come to fully believe with every part of my soul that the Catholic Church is the Truth. I believe in the Real Presence, in the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Our Lady, in the Infallibility of the Church, in all the Sacraments, etc. I’ve participated in numerous Masses, though of course not taking Communion. So, naturally, I want to become a full member of the Church by being Confirmed.

However, when I attempted to join my local parish’s RCIA program this fall, I was told I had joined too late into the program and would have to wait until next year’s Easter Vigil to be confirmed I was totally heartbroken… on top of that, my soul is in torment because I’m still separated from Christ’s Body (the Church), and I can’t stand the idea of waiting that long to come into full communion! I have sins I need to confess, I want to receive Christ in the Eucharist, etc. And probably the worst part of all this is that I know I’m more knowledgeable about the Catholic Faith than any of the catechumens who are now just finishing that RCIA program! I’m not trying to boast, but it’s a simple fact… I felt I could have taught that RCIA class!

So anyways, if you haven’t guessed it by the title of this thread, my question is this: Can I bypass RCIA and be confirmed within a reasonable amount of time? I’ve tried looking elsewhere on the web for help, and it certainly seems that due to my particular circumstances (my knowledge about the Catholic Faith and the fact that I’m already a Christian), I shouldn’t have to wait until next year’s Easter Vigil. The RCIA guidelines are actually against me going through the whole RCIA program. Should I just contact my local diocese and ask to be confirmed (and conditionally baptized, since I can’t be sure my dad’s baptism was valid) in a private ceremony? Would that be appropriate? What does everyone think? I’m tired of waiting for no reason at all to become a Catholic

Thank you all in advance for your advice!

You know something I did not go thru rcia but I did go thru private instruction from a very good priest but even though I did not go thru rcia I went thru the same amount of instruction that one would go thru in rcia and I had to go thru alot more because I had home work after each meeting and the questions were not multiple choice I actually had towrite out my answers and we spent at least 2 hours on each lesson he would gi ve me a break after 30 minutes and then another one after another 30 minutes I was the last person that instructed in that manner though because all the scandal came out after that so he quit giving private instruction because he said that he didnt want anyone to be able to accuse him of anything since you do not have any record of your baptism you will probably have to be baptised conditionally I did and that sort of baptism is not to be done in public or in front of the whole parish It is suppose to be done in private

 

[thequeen]

Definitely. Entering the church is truly a case-by-case basis, at least in my parish.

I didn’t finish RCIA and I also was accepted into the church on a Tuesday evening.

I’ll keep you in my prayers!

I was received into the church on a friday afternoon with only my sponsorand the priest in the eucharistic chapel in a very private ceremony I was conditionally baptised and confirmed at that time but my first communion was that following sunday at the10:30 am mass

 

[lutherlic]

I echo all the positive comments already made on RCIA. You will learn there, even if you know any given topic thoroughly. It is a chance to reconsider the lesson again, spark some new insights, lead to more research.

You also meet people and may participate in helpful class activities. It’s a bonding thing.

Finally, go ahead and consider yourself a member now!!! (…although not yet in full communion) Go to Mass every week, participate in activities like Mens Fellowship, bible studies, etc. If your parish has Adoration, do it. You can probably receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (ask the priest if that is OK and if so, make an appointment). Think of all of this as your first year.

Welcome!

 

[uther]

I bypassed RCIA. In fact, I didn’t even know that it existed.

I spoke to the priest of our parish (a great priest from the Philippines whom our Bishop has since moved many miles away) and asked to be baptized. I had several interviews with him in which he tested my knowledge of the faith, in particular those issues that are a stumbling block to Protestants. (I had been raised Protestant)

When he was satisfied he asked the Bishop for permission to confirm me at the same time as my baptism and the Bishop agreed. That was required because it is the Bishop who ordinarily confers the sacrament of confirmation, but a priest can as well, with special permission on a case by case basis, and he must have the Holy Oil blessed by the Bishop for that purpose.

So I was baptized and confirmed on a Saturday and received Holy Communion that same afternoon. It was only later that I learned that the normal procedure is through RCIA and I learned to love and appreciate that priest even more for short-circuiting the process in my case.

I am not sure why he did it. He saw or sensed something that gave him confidence in me. I, like many others here, had done a lot of studying. I had read the Catechism from cover to cover but as others have pointed out, it is not just about head knowledge. In some respects I think I might have benefited from the RCIA program.

Perhaps becoming part of the community of the parish was the reason why that same priest was very insistent that I join the Knights of Columbus, which I did. That gave me the opening to get to know many of the men of the parish and their families, and probably the right ones to get to know, because they are active in the Church and in charitable work in the broader community. Moreover, the wives and families of the Knights are very active with their husbands, so it was an opportunity for my wife to get to know many of the women as well. Perhaps that is what RCIA does for the catechumens over and above the knowledge of the faith. In the Protestant cummunion in which I grew up they called that fellowship, which may be a good term that we could use more often.