Can I do an RCIA program at a Jesuit school and be Roman Catholic?

[laurandrws]

I tried the RCIA program at my parish, but ended up not finishing for personal reasons. But I would like to try the RCIA program at my school in the fall. The thing is that my school is Jesuit. What does it mean to do the program at a jesuit setting compared to a roman catholic one? Am I not confirmed into the Roman Catholic church? Or in other words, “does it count”?

 

[Swiss_Guy]

Jesuits are part of the Catholic Church, and are counterparts to the Dominicans (thomist molinist debate). So you’d be fine.

 

[JRKH]

Jesuits ARE Roman Catholic…There should be no problem in taking the course at your Jesuit School.

Peace
James

 

[puzzleannie]

I tried the RCIA program at my parish, but ended up not finishing for personal reasons. But I would like to try the RCIA program at my school in the fall. The thing is that my school is Jesuit. What does it mean to do the program at a jesuit setting compared to a roman catholic one? Am I not confirmed into the Roman Catholic church? Or in other words, “does it count”?

Jesuits are an order of priests within the Catholic Church. I am not understanding your dilemma. Most Catholic colleges, as well as secular schools that have a campus Catholic minsitry or Newman Center, offer RCIA and confirmation classes at convenient times for students. You may have to celebrate sacraments in your home parish or a local parish, but most of your preparation can be done on campus.

 

[kozlosap]

You would be very lucky to take part in RCIA at a Jesuit school/parish. Jesuit’s are one of the most educated priestly orders. My daughter attended undergrad school at a Jesuit university and when she got to law school, she had no problem “thinking” on her feet! I have found that people take from RCIA what they put into it - the more you learn and study, the more you are able to share and use in your life. Welcome Home! (and, have a wonderful time in college!)

 

[achmafooma]

I tried the RCIA program at my parish, but ended up not finishing for personal reasons. But I would like to try the RCIA program at my school in the fall. The thing is that my school is Jesuit. What does it mean to do the program at a jesuit setting compared to a roman catholic one? Am I not confirmed into the Roman Catholic church? Or in other words, “does it count”?

This is an excellent question. All of these different communities in the Catholic Church can be very confusing (I’ve been Catholic for a few years now and I still have a hard time getting a handle on it).

Jesuits, like Dominicans and other communities within the Church, are fully Catholic. If you go to RCIA at a Jesuit school, it counts just as it would anywhere else (assuming they follow the Church’s guidelines, but I have no reason to expect they wouldn’t). The only thing that *might *be different is they might focus a little bit more on the particular traditions and charisms of the Jesuit community, but there is nothing wrong with that. It’s still fully Catholic, just with a slightly different ‘flavor,’ if you will.

There are even individual parishes that are staffed by members of a particular order. My parish is staffed by ‘regular’ Diocesan Priests, but one nearby is staffed by Franciscans. You’ll find that within the Catholic Church, though we are all unified together in one Church, there is also immense diversity and different orders and groups focusing on different aspects of the faith. They are all Catholic .

I hope you will check back in and let us know how RCIA goes for you! God bless you.

 

[thequeen]

Yes the Jesuits are part of the Roman Latin Rite Church. Welcome to the faith.

 

[laurandrws]

Thank you everyone. I’m excited to restart the program. Hopefully it will be a good environment, since most people will be my age and I can relate with them. after 4 years of being a searching Christian for a denomination, it will be nice to settle down and participate.