I may have to temporarily pull outta RCIA participation

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Fraevo63

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I am a candidate and my parishes RCIA program has us (catechumens & candidates) sitting in the front row and being dismissed after Mass homily. Well for 4 consecutive Sundays I have had very bad anxiety attacks and had to walk out of the nave. The first time an usher called 911. I can’t do it anymore. I don’t know why being in the front row causes me this severe anxiety but I can’t do it at this time. :cry:
I just wanna be confirmed in the Church and make my first Holy Communion
 
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Well it sounds to me like you really need to address your anxiety. Can’t imagine this being the only place it occurs (or maybe you can control other situationa). This would really be best addressed by the Pastor and/or head of the RCIA program.
 
Do you have classes after ‘dismissal’? And is there another Sunday Mass? I think I am right that, since you are already baptized, there is no requirement for you to be dismissed although you can’t yet receive.
I’d suggest attending a Sunday Mass at a different time that day then, on RCIA Sundays, attend at the church just for the classes only…or attend Mass and sit where you feel best able to slip away at dismissal to join your group. To put it bluntly (and hopefully make you smile) - nuts to the front pew lol!
Have you mentioned your anxiety to your RCIA instructor(s)? I would hope they could be understanding enough to accommodate a reasonable solution that still fulfills your obligations and keeps you in the programme…
 
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@Cecilia2017

RCIA class is after the dismissal yes. I don’t have a car to get to other Masses. I have to use expensive Lyft rides to get to Mass. They know about my anxiety. I am beginning to dread this situation. I just want to sit anywhere else and not be dismissed anymore. :cry:
 
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They shouldn’t make you sit up front, especially if it’s a problem for your anxiety. You really should talk to the pastor and see if other arrangements can be made. I know if it were me, I wouldn’t force anyone struggling with anxiety to have to do something that could be so triggering that it would impede their participation in Mass and RCIA. That’s not really fair.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Well it’s only my opinion so I know it’s not much help but I do think they should let you sit where you feel most comfortable. Surely they’d prefer you to be able to focus on the Lord without the massive distraction of worrying about being ‘up front’.
We don’t even dismiss our catechumens…probably because our classes are on a different night…but they only sit up front at the Easter Vigil. Even for the Scrutinies and Rite of Election…and you don’t have to do these either!..ours are scattered about the pews.
Don’t quit please…Easter will be here before you know it!
 
I’m so sorry you’re struggling.

Do they know your anxiety is specifically related to where you sit? Would you be able to talk to the pastor about it, or write down how it makes you feel and show it to him?
 
Is it the attention of the dismissal the issue that’s causing the anxiety? I would think that if so, there’s a simple solution. Either sitting in another place and/or being allowed to leave before Father gives the blessing on the candidates? I know its hard when you have anxiety, but if you just talk to the person in charge of your classes, I’m sure they’d be fine with whatever makes you comfortable.
 
There is no reason to pull out of RCIA. Sitting together and sitting up front are NOT requirements to be received into the Church nor to be confirmed. Also, you need not participate in dismissal if they do that.

Just sit where you feel comfortable during this mass, or go to a different mass if your parish has more than one.

Edited: I see another mass isn’t an option for you. So just sit elsewhere.
 
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Take this to any pastor worth his salt and there will be an immediate solution and fix for you. You have my prayers and admiration.
 
@Fraevo63 Have you spoken to your priest and/or your RCIA director? If so, what was their response? It would be concerning if they weren’t accommodating for a legitimate medical issue…
 
Please talk to your pastor. I’ve dealt with similar before (outside of RCIA, after becoming Catholic) and abandoning the mass will not help you and when you figure that out and want to go back it will only be harder. There is no reason for you to sit up front. This is detrimental to your health and your pastor will want to work with you so you can continue to participate in mass. It’s critical you do this ASAP. If you keep putting it off there is indeed a high chance it will lead you straight out of the church. This won’t bring you peace either. If you can’t talk to him about it, write it down or send him an email.
 
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Hi again. I am the Original Poster. I just sent email to my Pastor/Father and am awaiting response. Please know I am so grateful for all your responses. I am so much wanting confirmation in the Church and the Eucharist. I want Christ’s love to shine through me every day. I am in an intense spiritual battle
 
Good. RCIA is a process which should accommodate each individual. If you are comfortable doing so, your anxiety could be something your RCIA prays with you about. Don’t be afraid to share this with your director and your group. RCIA is a safe place.
 
From what you describe, the battle is at least partly spiritual. But you also need to make sure you’re hitting this from all angles. If you’re not already seeking mental health assistance, you should look into it. There’s certainly no shame in doing so, and it’s definitely not against the teaching of the Church (a priest would hardly be recommending it if it were). We are body, mind, and soul, and so to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us involves the care of all three.

-Fr ACEGC
 
It’s not likely they will kick you out of RCIA for not sitting with them. I can understand some directors can get…well a bit direct with their own rules and such. As many have said, 1, sitting together in the front is in no way required, and 2, as a candidate you really should be dismissed.
 
May I suggest trying this prayer:
‘O Christ Jesus
When all is darkness
And we feel our weakness and helplessness,
Give us the sense of Your Presence,
Your Love and Your Strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
In Your protecting love
And strengthening power,
So that nothing may frighten or worry us,
For, living close to You,
We shall see Your Hand,
Your Purpose, Your Will through all things.’ - St Ignatius of Loyola
 
In the mean time, be inspired. Watch some good talks to plant seeds in your mind. After all, anxiety attacks are rooted in the thoughts that plague one’s mind. Marino Restrepo had a powerful conversion experience as he was given a glimpse of the supernatural. He founded an apostolate under the Diocese of Colombia and has tons of great talks, some of which are in English. Here is one recommend, and it’s linked to all his English talks. These will feed your mind and transform the way you think and how to face the different challenges and situations in life:
 
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