I plan to (after attending Mass for a few weeks, once I get my license) to go into the RCIA class if I can at this age, so that I can convert. I am curious what this entails. First off, When I attend mass, having never been close to a Catholic church, let alone attend Mass, how do I know what to do? I know I can’t receive the Holy Communion, do I just go up and decline it?
When I start RCIA, what all happens? I know basically nothing. So if you could, just give me a few sentences on what I would do and what happens when I convert.
Sorry for the odd questions, thank you for any help you can provide! God Bless!
No, the questions are not odd at all.
As a priest, over the years I have received into full communion those who were minors. You won’t be a typical member of the RCIA but if you are prepared to be the youngest in the class, I am sure you will hold your own quite well. It’s not like a graduate school class. Actually, I seem to remember you were considering the study of Koine Greek anyway. Depending upon how that is going, you may even have an advantage over most, if not all, your fellow students. I worked with university students often enough and they would not be that much older than you. One of my most challenging Bible study groups was a group of undergraduate classics majors; they were keen on doing all the reading in Greek. It kept me on my toes and was as fun (and challenging) for me as it was for them…but that was the exception and anything but the norm.
I expect that whoever is directing the RCIA, and the parish priest if he is not overseeing it himself, will want to assure themselves that your parents are at least accepting and accommodating of you pursuing your interest in Catholicism. Personally, I always extended the hand to meet with either parent or both parents to discuss any concern they might have since it is a big step for a person and for their families, too.
The RCIA itself will bring you together with those who are wanting to enter the Roman Church or at least to inquire about Catholicism. Typically, the classes run from the late Summer/early Autumn to Easter; exceptionally, some large parishes have a second cycle for those who missed the Autumn-Easter session. Your local parish would be able to tell you when the next series begins and when the class meets each week.
In some parishes, the classes have a classroom feel (since I was a theology professor, that was my style and zone of comfort) and in other parishes, or when I asked others to do them, they had more the feel of a small group-sharing atmosphere, so there is no one size fits all to the way in which it is conducted. In my earlier days they were typically 90 minutes per session and when I retired they were two hours. (Perhaps I talked slower as I got older.)
Someone gave you the link to the online version of the Catechism. If you start reading it now, you will be ahead of the game and know things others will be learning during the classes.
You can access the catechism through the Holy See’s website:
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Many of those I received over the years come to have nostalgia for the period they were in preparation to become Catholic. There is bond that forms with others going through the experience, so enjoy the time and the friendships you will make.
You can use the time to explore aspects of Catholicism that are accessible though the web.
For example, there is much you can access from and about the Holy See via:
w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
Don’t be nervous about attending Mass…the round of postures (standing, sitting and kneeling) becomes routine quickly enough. If you’re not sitting in the front pew, the people around you will cue you by their own actions when it is time to change posture.
There are all sorts of little things you will learn when you’re part of the parish. Dipping your fingers in the holy water font and making the sign of the cross when you enter and leave the church…reverences (bows and genuflections)…signing yourself when the gospel is read and so forth. These will come with time, so try not to feel self-conscious about not knowing.
I would suggest, after you attend your first Mass if not before, that you introduce yourself to the priest. He will be able to tell you the custom of the parish about non-Catholics coming forward for a blessing at the Communion of the Mass. I have always done it myself but other priests are of a different mind…the practice varies.
It is a wonderful journey of growth in knowledge of the faith and in self-growth, too. I pray your RCIA experience will be a good one. Best wishes, too, on getting your driver’s licence.
), RCIA starts sometime in May or June; but the most likely starting time will be in September. We are almost completed with the RCIA process, which culminates on Holy Saturday Night, so it is not likely that you will be able to join now. After Holy Saturday Night, there generally is a period following for those who just joined, called Mystagogy, which continues until the feast of Pentecost (May 15th).
