How long to become officially catholic?

[Cider]

With that said, I’ve got to ask myself; why would I spend so much time (a full 2 years if I start this particular RCIA program) in this parish’s RCIA program, when I can wait till the fall and find another parish that will baptize me at Easter?

I guess my point is, I am convicted that this faith is where I want to be. And I want to start receiving communion ASAP. I’m really excited about it, and I don’t want to wait 2 years to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Well I would do the 2 year one if it was a better program. They aren’t all the same in quality after all. It’s not about how fast you get to receive the Eucharist, it’s about being properly catechized.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Can you direct me to the Church document that states that.

National Statutes for the Catechumenate:

1. The period of catechumenate, beginning at acceptance into the order of catechumens and including both the catechumenate proper and period of purification and enlightenment after election or enrollment of names, should extend for at least one year of formation, instruction, and probation. Ordinarily this period should go from at least the Easter season of one year until the next; preferably it should begin before Lent in one year and extend until Easter of the following year.

 

[thistle]

National Statutes for the Catechumenate:

1. The period of catechumenate, beginning at acceptance into the order of catechumens and including both the catechumenate proper and period of purification and enlightenment after election or enrollment of names, should extend for at least one year of formation, instruction, and probation. Ordinarily this period should go from at least the Easter season of one year until the next; preferably it should begin before Lent in one year and extend until Easter of the following year.

Does this apply in America only? I have not heard of this elsewhere.

 

[Phemie]

Does this apply in America only? I have not heard of this elsewhere.

While the statutes may be national statutes for the US (I can find no such document for Canada - not that all national documents can be found online) they reflect the Church’s vision of the catechumenate and what is expressed in the Rite itself. Just because many, if not most, parishes don’t do the ideal doesn’t mean that the ideal has not been described. We are talking conversion here - something that can’t possibly be a September to March process for everyone who signs up.

It’s not fair to the person being accepted into the catechumenate to be told a date that he’ll be baptized. What happens to the person who doesn’t feel ready? Does he feel like a failure? Does he go through with it anyway, because everyone’s ‘getting done’? Does he leave never to come back, rather than being told 'Hey, don’t worry it’s normal, stay until you’re ready. It’s a conversion process, not a program that you graduate from with Baptism as a diploma." It’s much easier if they understand from the beginning that they will have a ‘minimum’ of a year but as much time after that as they need to truly be ready.

Unlike a document like the GIRM, the RCIA book is one document from which it’s not really advantageous to quote paragraph/article numbers. I learned that when I did the ‘Beginnings and Beyond’ sessions with folk from the US and Ireland. There were only 2 or 3 of them in a Canadian workshop and the instructors from the N.A. Forum were always asking “What’s the number for that article in your Rite book?”

 

[Andre1000]

Can we assume that your mother was already baptized and well catechized? I know a well catechized Anglican would not have to wait as long to be confirmed as say, a non-catechized Anglican. OTOH, a non-baptized should be in the catechumenate for at least a year.

baptized yes, catechized no. And she is not confirmed yet, but the CCC is not important for the people in Germany.

 

[Phemie]

baptized yes, catechized no. And she is not confirmed yet, but the CCC is not important for the people in Germany.

Colour me confused. She was received into full communion but wasn’t confirmed? Why not?

 

[Mgray82]

Since you list your religion as Christian I assume that means you are already baptized. If that is the case, RCIA should take as long as you need and not any longer. That could potentially be weeks or months. In that case, why not find a parish that does things right rather than waiting until Easter?

For those who are not already baptized, the Church believes you need more than a few months to adopt the changes in life that come with becoming a Christian.

That depends on how we define “norm.” If “norm” means whatever happens frequently, then yes, people are often baptized after a shorter period of time. If “norm” means what it is that the Church calls for, then the norm is one year or more in the catechumenate.

I do list my religion as Christian, as I have been my entire life. However, I should probably edit my profile to say “Christian and converting to Catholic”. Though I was born and raised into the Pentecostal church, my parents didn’t have me baptized. They elected for me to make the decision for myself as to which church I wanted to be baptized in. And for that I am grateful.

Let me add first, as a convert coming into the faith I believe that it is a very good idea for other parishes to get on board with the idea of a year long RCIA program…maybe I’m just biased because I’m so eager to begin, but I don’t believe waiting around for something so important makes sense when you’re trying to evangelize human souls! (that’s my two cents anyway)

However, I contacted the parish in which I will be starting the RCIA program. She did say that they believe it’s important that once in the catechumenate, you spend a year or more in formation. After a year or more, they begin to discern readiness for baptism. Could be 12 months, 18 months, etc.

So, I dunno. We’ll see how it goes. It’s a beautiful church. I like the priest. But I’m going to consider other options at other parishes just to be fair. I’m not doing this just to be catholic. Like, I’m not in a race. If it takes 2 years to become baptized, so be it. I’m just really eager for it. I’m sure you’d understand if you were me and you wanted to participate so badly (especially communion). I will enjoy my journey there in any case.

Thanks for the replies everybody. And any additional info, help or ideas…keep them coming.

 

[Cider]

baptized yes, catechized no. And she is not confirmed yet, but the CCC is not important for the people in Germany.

huh? How can the Catechism of the Catholic Church not be important for any people?

 

[thistle]

baptized yes, catechized no. And she is not confirmed yet, but the CCC is not important for the people in Germany.

The CCC contains the teachings of the Church. Why would the people in Germany not think the teachings of the Church are important?