I am not ready yet to be a catechumen

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Rutherford2

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may the Lord’s peace be with you. My preparation for the Rite of Acceptance is coming soon. Since I don’t feel that I am ready yet, does that mean it is okay to skip the Rite of Acceptance and stop attending my RCIA when my Inquiry Stage is over?
 
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You should come to the faith freely and of your free will. If you are not ready, you should not receive the rite. Instead of dropping out of RCIA, is it possible to keep investigating the areas you are having trouble with? Perhaps make an appointment with the priest to discuss your situation, before abandoning Catholicism completely? May God bless you on your journey of faith. Prayers for you.
 
I do believe that you can still attend RCIA as an inquirer even if you skip the rite. This way you can keep learning about Catholicism if you would like to.
 
I am not saying that I will abandon Catholicism completely. I will still attend RCIA for next year’s batch until I am ready.
 
May I inquire as to why you believe yourself not to be ready?
My guess is that you don’t believe you have learnt enough yet, would I be correct in that?
 
You continue in inquiry as long as you want to. No need to stop going to RCIA catechesis— the opposite in fact. You should continue going to learn and to experience life in the Christian community.

One Hindu man in my old parish was in inquiry stage for 3 years as he struggled with the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist before he was ready to move towards baptism.

Each in their own time.
 
Definitely speak with your priest, but continue to attend RCIA - it should ultimately be at your pace, not the same pace for everyone. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. You will know when that time is.
 
I agree with everyone else. If you’re not ready, don’t go through the rite.

If this is something you want to continue tho explore, you might check with your RCIA team. Would someone be willing to meet with you one-on-one to explore topics you are interested in at your own pace? I did that with one woman in RCIA. Her inquiry period lasted about a year and we met to talk about the things she had questions about. There was no rush and we focused on her particular faith journey.
 
@Dlee by continue, you mean wait for next year when the RCIA program starts from the beginning right? I shall skip the Rite of acceptance, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist right?
 
I was thinking more along the line of continuing with the current program - go by whatever advice your pastor gives you. He will know your current situation and the design of your RCIA process. It might be that you observe rather than participate, if that makes sense.
 
Maybe some of what is preventing you from being received into the Church is addressed in a later RCIA session? My advise would be to speak to your priest or deacon about what you think prevents you from becoming Catholic. Continue with going to the classes and learn.

From personal experience I can say that before every step in becoming Catholic there were major doubts for me. I even had to talk to our deacon after the bishop´s catechesis just before we went in to the church to rehearse what we were going to do, say and where to stand during Admissio on the first Sunday in Lent. What was most important during the time it took for me to become Catholic, were the meetings I had with the priest and deacon to discuss things that were of a more personal matter that couldn’t be addressed in the big group.
 
My advice is to go through the steps. TALK to your sponsor, that is why they are there! Talk to your priest.

This is not like the military, you can decide 5 minutes before the Easter Vigil that you want to wait.
 
I had a similar experience, OP. I ended up joining the Church on my third time through RCIA. The first time, I quit for the Rite of acceptance, I believe. My parish never noticed I was gone…🤣

For me it worked best as two steps forward, one step back. I think you have to go at the pace you are comfortable.
Best wished to you!
 
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Keep going to the RCIA classes, but tell those in charge that you don’t feel ready yet.
 
I was once an RCIA team member and I appreciate you discerning this as you are. You are under no obligation to go thru the Rite. You could go as a spectator and show of support for the other candidates. No one on the RCIA team should pressure you to do anything nor should you not be allowed to continue going thru the formation process. This is your journey. Peace be with you
 
With so many people starting RCIA in September with the understanding that they will be baptized (or received into full communion) at the Vigil, it’s refreshing to hear someone who wants to take more time to be sure.

Continue your studies. As someone already said, it may turn out that something you have a problem with now is addressed later in the process. Would that more people came to the realization that they’re not ready rather than just go with the flow.
 
Lord please forgive me, many people joined my church and like a speed-racer rushed for baptism as they think being a catholic is a sure guarantee to avoid hell.
 
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Remember that reception into the Church isn’t the end of our conversion, but merely a major milestone marking another beginning.

If you have trouble still accepting Church some beliefs, then continue the inquiry.
 
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