Does a baptized protestant Christian go through RCIA to become Catholic?

[TabbyLilac]

Or is there a different process for those who are already baptized as Christians but just not yet into the Catholic faith? What about when you have very young children (2 years old and 5 months old) who will also become Catholic… will they be re-baptized in the Catholic church or is there something else involved to ensure they are considered Catholic (prior to their first communion one day obviously)?? We were baptized in the Methodist church but have been called to Catholicism, and I’m just wondering about some things like this…

Thank you!!

 

[TabbyLilac]

Anyone? What is the process like for a protestant Christian? Thank you… I’m sorry this is probably a pretty boring question to answer.

 

[phil19034]

Or is there a different process for those who are already baptized as Christians but just not yet into the Catholic faith? What about when you have very young children (2 years old and 5 months old) who will also become Catholic… will they be re-baptized in the Catholic church or is there something else involved to ensure they are considered Catholic (prior to their first communion one day obviously)?? We were baptized in the Methodist church but have been called to Catholicism, and I’m just wondering about some things like this…

Thank you!!

If a person is already baptized, they will not be re-baptized. The only time the Church will re-baptize is when there are some questions regarding whether the person was properly baptized or not. In those instances they will be a “conditional baptism” which would only work if the person really was not baptized.

In general, it’s best to speak with the parish pastor about the process. Each parish does customized the process a little bit for logistical purposes.

Ideally, baptized converts would be in a different group from the non-baptized converts. However, sometimes (if not often) parishes will not have enough of each group, so they will put them together.

In regards to a young child (2 year old) they would be treated just like cradle Catholic children and be baptized (if they are not) and attend Child Faith Formation with other Catholic Children their age.

NOTE: For your young child, the priest might want to add some of the additional rites/prayers that babies receive at baptism, but the child would not have to be re-baptized.

Again, the pastor will let you know what needs to happen and he (or a another priest or deacon) will guide you through the process.

God Bless and Welcome home!

 

[Magdalen2013]

Or is there a different process for those who are already baptized as Christians but just not yet into the Catholic faith? What about when you have very young children (2 years old and 5 months old) who will also become Catholic… will they be re-baptized in the Catholic church or is there something else involved to ensure they are considered Catholic (prior to their first communion one day obviously)?? We were baptized in the Methodist church but have been called to Catholicism, and I’m just wondering about some things like this…

Thank you!!

Yes, you will have to go through RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults).

Because the Methodists use the Trinitarian form for their baptisms neither you nor your children will have to have a ‘conditional’ baptism when you are received into the Church.

Some parishes have separate groups for candidates (the baptized) and catechumens (the unbaptized). Others put the two groups together. If they do separate groups, it may be only a few months before you are accepted into the Church.

In the parish that I joined RCIA began with Inquiry sessions once a week with the DRE, then moved to group meetings in September. In November, the Rite of Welcome was conducted, and we were dismissed each Sunday after the homily to “Break Open the Word.” The Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion was done at the beginning of Lent and we were received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. My parish always puts the two groups together.

You may want to read Scott Hahn’s book, “Rome Sweet Home” which recounts his conversion.

 

[TabbyLilac]

Thank you both very much for your information and insight! I appreciate it very much.

 

[twf]

Yes, you will have to go through RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults).

Because the Methodists use the Trinitarian form for their baptisms neither you nor your children will have to have a ‘conditional’ baptism when you are received into the Church.

Some parishes have separate groups for candidates (the baptized) and catechumens (the unbaptized). Others put the two groups together. If they do separate groups, it may be only a few months before you are accepted into the Church.

In the parish that I joined RCIA began with Inquiry sessions once a week with the DRE, then moved to group meetings in September. In November, the Rite of Welcome was conducted, and we were dismissed each Sunday after the homily to “Break Open the Word.” The Rite of Election/Call to Continuing Conversion was done at the beginning of Lent and we were received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. My parish always puts the two groups together.

You may want to read Scott Hahn’s book, “Rome Sweet Home” which recounts his conversion.

Technically baptized Christians do NOT go through RCIA. The actual Rite of Christian Initiation is for catechumens and includes baptism. That being said, for practical reasons, both already baptized candidates for full communion and catechumens are grouped together in catechism / instruction classes.

 

[Muzhik]

The two adults WILL have to have the sacrament of Confirmation, won’t they?

 

[Magdalen2013]

Technically baptized Christians do NOT go through RCIA. The actual Rite of Christian Initiation is for catechumens and includes baptism. That being said, for practical reasons, both already baptized candidates for full communion and catechumens are grouped together in catechism / instruction classes.

Well, this former baptized Methodist DID go through RCIA-- that’s how the parish I’m in handles it. You go to the same group meetings with the catechumens, get a sponsor, break open the word, the whole nine yards. The baptized are called ‘candidates’ and do pretty much everything the catechumens do, with the exception of being baptized at the Easter Vigil. We were confirmed and took Communion that night, and we do our first Reconciliation in the weeks leading up to the rite.

So in some areas the baptized DO go through RCIA

 

[Horton]

Well, this former baptized Methodist DID go through RCIA-- that’s how the parish I’m in handles it. You go to the same group meetings with the catechumens, get a sponsor, break open the word, the whole nine yards. The baptized are called ‘candidates’ and do pretty much everything the catechumens do, with the exception of being baptized at the Easter Vigil. We were confirmed and took Communion that night, and we do our first Reconciliation in the weeks leading up to the rite.

So in some areas the baptized DO go through RCIA

The previous poster is correct but practically speaking in many parishes candidates and catechumens do go through RCIA together. I did as a baptized Christian and my current parish RCIA is the same.

 

[Casilda]

TabbyLilac,

The best source for answers would be your priest, not here, not the paid or volunteer church staff or sad, but true, not even your rcia directors.

In my diocese alone, there are as many programs as there are parishes, so each can be different. From my experience, there is no set ‘method’ or practice of receiving a Christian or even a returning Catholic. They are both placed in the varied ‘rcia’ programs meant for an unbeliever.

What should happen is an individualized assessment of one’s understanding of the faith. Talk to your priest. I finally found one not too busy to answer questions and got the RIGHT answers.

 

[phil19034]

Well, this former baptized Methodist DID go through RCIA-- that’s how the parish I’m in handles it. You go to the same group meetings with the catechumens, get a sponsor, break open the word, the whole nine yards. The baptized are called ‘candidates’ and do pretty much everything the catechumens do, with the exception of being baptized at the Easter Vigil. We were confirmed and took Communion that night, and we do our first Reconciliation in the weeks leading up to the rite.

So in some areas the baptized DO go through RCIA

RCIA stands for the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults. Only the non baptized RECEIVE the Rites of Christian Initiation. But in many parishes, baptized converts learn the Faith in RCIA class. Baptized converts don’t receive the “Rites of Christian Initiation” because they have already received Baptism, with is the most important rite of Christian Initiation.

Baptized converts receive the Sacurment of Confirmation.

Many parishes simply lump the two into the RCIA class because they don’t have the numbers and/or resources to have two seperate classes

God Bless

 

[CJsmommy]

I was baptized Catholic as a baby, but since I wasn’t brought up Catholic I still had to go through RCIA. There were only 2 people in my class who weren’t baptized, but I think I was the only baptized Catholic.

 

[thistle]

Or is there a different process for those who are already baptized as Christians but just not yet into the Catholic faith? What about when you have very young children (2 years old and 5 months old) who will also become Catholic… will they be re-baptized in the Catholic church or is there something else involved to ensure they are considered Catholic (prior to their first communion one day obviously)?? We were baptized in the Methodist church but have been called to Catholicism, and I’m just wondering about some things like this…

Thank you!!

The answer is YES.

I was a baptised Methodist and went through RCIA. However, I was formally accepted into the Church at the Easter and not baptised as a Methodist baptism is considered valid.

 

[Kielbasi]

Or is there a different process for those who are already baptized as Christians but just not yet into the Catholic faith? What about when you have very young children (2 years old and 5 months old) who will also become Catholic… will they be re-baptized in the Catholic church or is there something else involved to ensure they are considered Catholic (prior to their first communion one day obviously)?? We were baptized in the Methodist church but have been called to Catholicism, and I’m just wondering about some things like this…
!

You basically have two questions here.

Methodist baptism is indeed generally considered valid in the Catholic Church, so you probably won’t be re-baptized.

Whether the parish is asking you to attend RCIA classes, or if they have some other grouping or class for those who are validly baptized is a local matter, largely dependent on how many people they are looking at. Just “go with the flow”, conversion protocol isn’t a matter of dogma you know.

 

[SMHW]

Technically baptized Christians do NOT go through RCIA. The actual Rite of Christian Initiation is for catechumens and includes baptism. That being said, for practical reasons, both already baptized candidates for full communion and catechumens are grouped together in catechism / instruction classes.

Well if we are going to get technical, baptized Christians MIGHT go through RCIA. The Rite of Welcoming, the Rite of Sending, and the Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion are specifically for candidates for full initiation.

The bigger question is, SHOULD baptized Christians be in RCIA? The growing opinion seems to be that most should not unless they have had absolutely no Christian upbringing.

Now in many dioceses and/or parishes the catechumens, candidates for full initiation, and sometimes adult Catholics seeking Confirmation are in the same faith formations classes and go through combined rites. But a lot of parishes are beginning to make a distinction between those who have been baptized and those who have not. Obviously both the baptized and unbaptized need Faith Formation but the “initiation” part is VERY different for the two groups.

My parish used to receive candidates for full initiation at the Easter Vigil but we stopped doing that a full years ago and now receive them when they are ready.

 

[Magdalen2013]

Well, I was happy to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. I really don’t see why people think it’s so awful to have both candidates and catechumens received at the same time. There were twelve people in my RCIA group and we became like family those months we were together.

I hadn’t been to church in forty years when I began RCIA (former baptized Methodist), so I had as much to learn as many of the catechumens.

 

[Usige]

Well, I was happy to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. I really don’t see why people think it’s so awful to have both candidates and catechumens received at the same time. There were twelve people in my RCIA group and we became like family those months we were together.

I hadn’t been to church in forty years when I began RCIA (former baptized Methodist), so I had as much to learn as many of the catechumens.

The problem is that the distinction between a candidate and catechumen often becomes nothing more than a matter of semantics. When those already baptized are dismissed from Mass, presented the Gospels, etc. it is offensive to their status as members of the faithful. It also is common to treat all candidates as uncatechized regardless of how they have lived their lives or their understanding of Christianity. Most baptized Christians are already catechized to some degree and the statues around RCIA are very clear that candidates are not supposed to be required to go through the same process as catechumen. Candidates are only supposed to be instructed in areas where the are deficient in regard to Catholic beliefs. Unfortunately most places have significantly more candidates, yet still set up a program for catechumen. There have been years in my parish where there are no catechumen and yet they still go through all the rites that are supposed to only be done for the unbaptized. Any candidate that had been living the faith should not be forced to wait for 8 months if they are already 95% of the way in September.

 

[whatsmyname]

I’m in RCIA (my 3rd RCIA program). There are about 20-30 in our class - I’m not sure of the exact number because attendance is sporadic for most.

Two of us were validly baptized in Protestant churches as babies. Everyone else is already a baptized Catholic. I’m the only one who still needed to go to confession for the first time; the others had all done that years before.

We have no catechumens, yet we’re all in RCIA. I did receive the Rite of Welcoming and one scrutiny.

So, as all the others answered, yes, you will probably go through the RCIA program for at least one school year and take first communion at Easter with confirmation a few weeks after that. You may possibly, however, find one of those rare churches that uses a different format, but it isn’t likely. All 3 programs I’ve attended had the same rules as do all the other churches I’ve contacted around here.

 

[SMHW]

The problem is that the distinction between a candidate and catechumen often becomes nothing more than a matter of semantics. When those already baptized are dismissed from Mass, presented the Gospels, etc. it is offensive to their status as members of the faithful. It also is common to treat all candidates as uncatechized regardless of how they have lived their lives or their understanding of Christianity.

Exactly.

I don’t think anyone disputes the need of Candidates to undergo Faith Formation. Faith Formation is much more than head knowledge; it is growth of the heart, and soul. And since Catholicism teaches that our relationship with Christ is a relationship with the Church, (and is not just a Jesus and me thing,) it makes sense that that formation happens in community.

But candidates ARE Christians and in that sense have more in common with returning (as in once fallen away) and uncatechised Catholics than they do with the unbaptized. By the very fact of their baptism candidates are ready to undergo formation in a manner for which catechumens simply aren’t ready.

I’ve often said that RCIA gets misidentified with instruction classes. It makes sense to have some instruction classes to be available to all those who need it, baptized and unbaptized alike. But I think it diminishes the importance of the actual liturgical rites of RCIA if the acronym is associated with something that happens in a classroom setting.

 

[mlz]

This depends on the parish you go to. For me I didn’t have to go through RCIA. We have a very small parish in a very small town. I had spend 3 years studing the Catholic faith and went in to talk with the priest for a few months and he determined I was ready.

mlz