Dont HAVE to go through RCIA?

[gvogt4]

I don’t think anyone is disputing the fact that someone coming into the Church should be catechized. And often the unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, and un-catechized Catholics need similar instruction.

But what Br. Rich and I were discussing was that the term “RCIA” is often more identified with instruction classes than with the rites themselves. My personal opinion is that many people consider the actual rites, such as (in the case of the unbaptized) the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, the Rite of Election, the Scrutinies, and other associated rites, as insignificant events on the road to the Easter Vigil.

IMO, when people hear “RCIA” they should think of the above mentioned rites, normally held during Sunday Masses, not some Faith Formation class that meets during the middle of the week.

Well let me spread some good news. My wife will be baptized at the Easter Vigil this year. It has been an inspirational journey for both of us. This will happen more than 14 months after we had originally planned in our old parish (that was lost to Hurricane Katrina). <long story, maybe another time.> I can tell you that these rites have meant a great deal to her and to the other Catechumen-now-Elect.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I don’t think anyone is disputing the fact that someone coming into the Church should be catechized. And often the unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, and un-catechized Catholics need similar instruction.

But what Br. Rich and I were discussing was that the term “RCIA” is often more identified with instruction classes than with the rites themselves. My personal opinion is that many people consider the actual rites, such as (in the case of the unbaptized) the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, the Rite of Election, the Scrutinies, and other associated rites, as insignificant events on the road to the Easter Vigil.

IMO, when people hear “RCIA” they should think of the above mentioned rites, normally held during Sunday Masses, not some Faith Formation class that meets during the middle of the week.

You may be referring to the rites celebrated on four Sunday masses, but Br. Rich is not. This is not the first time I’ve clashed with him on this subject.

For example, on the subject of candidates staying for the full mass while catechumens are dismissed. At my parish, both were dismissed after the homily. How is it that the candidates don’t need to reflect on the scripture readings when it was this catechumen who was answering all the questions about the scripture readings while the candidates sat mute?

There’s no reason to think that baptized Protestants don’t need as much instruction on Catholicism as anyone else.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Well let me spread some good news. My wife will be baptized at the Easter Vigil this year. It has been an inspirational journey for both of us. This will happen more than 14 months after we had originally planned in our old parish (that was lost to Hurricane Katrina). <long story, maybe another time.> I can tell you that these rites have meant a great deal to her and to the other Catechumen-now-Elect.

Congratulations! This is a wonderful time for both of you.

 

[SMHW]

You may be referring to the rites celebrated on four Sunday masses, but Br. Rich is not. This is not the first time I’ve clashed with him on this subject.

I’m well aware that Br. Rich doesn’t think it RCIA is the way to go for candidates.

But breaking open the word sessions are specifically geared toward catechumens, not the baptized. The truth of the matter is that the majority of fully initiated Catholics would probably be mute if they had to sit in on such a session. Breaking open the word sessions are not really about teaching head knowledge of the scriptures. They are about changing the heart and soul of an unbaptized person.

I would hope that every baptized person studies the scriptures outside of Mass. I would certainly not have a problem with expecting candidates to attend such a session but why should it be during Mass?

I know it seems exclusionary, but some things just have innate perks. In most countries, citizens have rights that a resident alien does not. The immigrant may be the harder worker and contribute more to the country but he’s not a citizen. In order for an alien to become a citizen he probably has to accomplish things that a citizen from childhood never needs to do.

 

[lak611]

I know it seems exclusionary, but some things just have innate perks. In most countries, citizens have rights that a resident alien does not. The immigrant may be the harder worker and contribute more to the country but he’s not a citizen. In order for an alien to become a citizen he probably has to accomplish things that a citizen from childhood never needs to do.

True. I was talking to a woman I used to work with who became an American citizen. She mentioned the questions that were on the test. I would not be surprised if many of our high school students who are American citizens would fail that test if they had to take it.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I’m well aware that Br. Rich doesn’t think it RCIA is the way to go for candidates.

But breaking open the word sessions are specifically geared toward catechumens, not the baptized. The truth of the matter is that the majority of fully initiated Catholics would probably be mute if they had to sit in on such a session. Breaking open the word sessions are not really about teaching head knowledge of the scriptures. They are about changing the heart and soul of an unbaptized person.

I would hope that every baptized person studies the scriptures outside of Mass. I would certainly not have a problem with expecting candidates to attend such a session but why should it be during Mass?

I know it seems exclusionary, but some things just have innate perks. In most countries, citizens have rights that a resident alien does not. The immigrant may be the harder worker and contribute more to the country but he’s not a citizen. In order for an alien to become a citizen he probably has to accomplish things that a citizen from childhood never needs to do.

If my parish had segregated the catechumen from the candidates, I doubt I would be Catholic, now. It would have broken my heart.

 

[THutch04]

If my parish had segregated the catechumen from the candidates, I doubt I would be Catholic, now. It would have broken my heart.

Personally I don’t really care for dismissals from Mass for either group, and I’m very grateful that we didn’t participate in that during my RCIA process (getting 12 college students at the same Mass on a consistent basis is a nearly impossible task!!!) I understand the history behind the dismissals and why it was necessary (and even why it was necessary up until recently), but I don’t really agree with it now since everybody, baptized and unbaptized, is allowed to be present throughout the entire Mass (of course, without receiving the Eucharist). Maybe if we had practiced the dismissals I would’ve understood its purpose more.

Just looking at my RCIA classmates, half were baptized Catholics, and there were three actual Catechumens. I would say that most people were on the same level in terms of knowledge of the Catholic Church (including those who were baptized Catholic). I definitely believe that not separating the Catechumens from the Candidates helped us grow closer as a class. Even though it’s technically wrong, we all participated in the same Rites at the same time, and I did notice us getting closer during that time.

 

[justawhisper]

thanks for the replies! i must apologize, i would have responded sooner, had i got an email that there were more posts; usually it sends SOMETHING here and there to let me know.

as for the suggestions of going ahead and going through RCIA, i have every intention of doing so. i think i came off the wrong way when i said “im pretty sure i will need to go through it” or something to that effect. i just thought it was odd that they would make that claim without saying something else to back it up, it really had me confused. but it all makes sense now, thank you so much.

im reading my head off on most anything and everything i can find that has any information on catholicism, since i was 15-16, though i have become involved in seeking information and knowledge heavily in the past 1 or 2 years. i originally joined this forum about a year ago, then lost my membership when the site was hi-jacked a while ago. reading most of yal’s posts has opened my eyes to new (to me) ideas and things to think about and research. haha my mother in law bought me the complete idiot’s guide to catholicism v. 2, it has been very informative and has helped me to understand some of the things that are spoken of here.

 

[mamar]

the priest who runs RCIA at our parish called and left a message a couple of weeks ago, asking to arrange a meeting w/ my husband to possibly get him his sacraments in time for the easter vigil. unfortuneately the meeting got cancelled due to an illness, so now we are shooting for next week.

my hope and prayer is that my husband and our priest can work things out, and he will be official. i know my parish priests very well as i am very involved in the church. i am sure it was all a shock to hear that my husband was not catholic.

my parish is huge…so if they are willing to do this for us, i am not so sure how rare it may be. i kind of get the feeling that if you ask w/ a sincere heart, they (your priests) will hold your hand and make it happen. i pray it happens in this case, and yours (OP)!

praise be to god! my husband recieved first reconcilliation last tuesday night and confirmation this past tuesday night, privately!
i am still in sheer bliss over it! i have so much gratitude toward our priest, he is such a holy man, he trully bent over backwards for us to see to it that my husband completed his sacraments before easter. he will forever be in my prayers! it’s funny, he was our least favorite priest at our parish, mainly b/c he does not sugar coat anything, so he can be scary! now i am in awe of him!

god bless!

 

[LeahInancsi]

Mamar,

In the post you referred to in your post above, I get the impression that he has spent significant time in a Catholic church most likely with you. He’s not necessarily one of the people I’m referring to who need attend RCIA. If the two of you have been together for very long and you are very involved in the Church, I’m sure he has learn a considerable amount about the Catholic religon during that time and has the necessary knowledge to become a good Catholic.

The people I’m concerned about are the ones who are not VERY familiar with the Church. The only person in my RCIA class that had a similar background to your husband’s decided not to convert eventhough he attends mass every week with his wife of 11 years.

Congratulations to you and your husband.

 

[puzzleannie]

I have a selfish reason for hoping that all our well-formed, spiritually mature, and scripturally literate non-Catholic brethren who are contemplating seeking full communion with the Catholic Church will participate in the RCIA process for the year it takes. That is that you will come to understand and appreciated the periods, phases, rites, and rhythm of the process, and volunteer as sponsors next year, and catechists the year after that. You guys do make our very best people, you know. You also add such a richness and depth to both the Breaking Open the Word discussions, as well as to the classes that you yourselves are instrumental in the growth of your companions.