J
James-R
Guest
I know, “talk to a priest.” I’m going to, I’m just wondering what would be the answer usually
- Status
M
Maximilian75
Guest
it very much depends upon the priest, and your state of knowledge in the Church, the parish, and other factors
C
CatholicDetroit
Guest
No it’s not too late. The priest or the rcia director can catch you up on the lessons that you missed.
A
adamhovey1988
Guest
Not at all, I didn’t start rcia on time, but that being said I also didn’t come into the Church on Easter Sunday, I came into the Church on Pentecost Sunday of that year. It really depends on the situation.
V
Vonsalza
Guest
100 variables in play here.
If you’re someone who has been going to mass for a few years and are pretty well versed in Catholic doctrine and your priest is open to it, you’ve got a good shot. My priest’s personal view for someone like that is usually “why wait until Easter???”.
Others (archaically) might want you to do a complete, full 12 months of RCIA before.
Truly, YMMV.
Last edited:
A
Augustinian
Guest
I don’t think anyone can say what the answer would “usually” be.
It really depends on the priest, as well as on you, and how you present your case to him when you talk to him.
If the priest sees someone who is put together, knows what he believes, and is ready to repent of his sins, he’s more likely to expedite the matter.
It really depends on the priest, as well as on you, and how you present your case to him when you talk to him.
If the priest sees someone who is put together, knows what he believes, and is ready to repent of his sins, he’s more likely to expedite the matter.
R
rcwitness
Guest
In my case, i met with the director of RCIA and he offered that join the group being Baptized in a couple months or meet for the next season of RCIA.
Im not sure how much the parish priest is directly involved in making those decisions. In my experience, priests have not been very involved in faith formation, whether adult or children.
I chose to meet for the remainder of the time, plus the next full year. I wasnt anxious about speed.
Im not sure how much the parish priest is directly involved in making those decisions. In my experience, priests have not been very involved in faith formation, whether adult or children.
I chose to meet for the remainder of the time, plus the next full year. I wasnt anxious about speed.
R
rcwitness
Guest
I find it odd that people place so much emphasis on the priest. I dont even recall ever having a discussion with my parish priest at all prior to Baptism.
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
The rite itself calls for a period of the catechumenare of at least one full liturgical year. In the US, at least, this is widely shortened to less than a year. An individual pastor might be willing to shorten it even more though my opinion would be that it’s a mistake. RCIA is not a series of classes you must complete, but a process of conversion, especially for those seeking baptism. It’s the beginning of a lifetime as a Catholic Christian and need not be rushed.
Technically, no, it’s not too late.
In practice, for someone who is going to be baptized (and not just received into the Church) I don’t know that is is likely to be allowed.
If you already have a close relationship with your priest, deacon, DRE, or whoever oversees RCIA in your parish, then you have a better chance because your relationship could be seen as part of the overall process of conversion. Your pastor has the final say but in many parishes the pastor will not overrule decisions made by someone to whom he has delegated authority.
But as you suggest, you won’t know unless you ask.
In practice, for someone who is going to be baptized (and not just received into the Church) I don’t know that is is likely to be allowed.
If you already have a close relationship with your priest, deacon, DRE, or whoever oversees RCIA in your parish, then you have a better chance because your relationship could be seen as part of the overall process of conversion. Your pastor has the final say but in many parishes the pastor will not overrule decisions made by someone to whom he has delegated authority.
But as you suggest, you won’t know unless you ask.
Last edited:
R
rcwitness
Guest
Reality is that conversion happens at any time, and education isnt restricted to RCIA.
M
marylg
Guest
I’m going to be honest this is the thing I never understood about RCIA while I was going through it. To answer your question though - no it is not too late. Someone in my group joined I believe in late January/February and was confirmed at Easter. It was strange to me though. I know RCIA is supposed to be more of a process, but honestly it felt more like hoops to jump through at my parish. I’m pretty sure you could’ve only gone a couple times and no one would’ve questioned if you were ready to join the Church however. The Church is a beautiful place to be and, personally, I wanted to be here. It wasn’t until after Easter though I realized how unprepared/uninformed I was. There was no real guidance in my RCIA. There were weekly presentations on some teaching of the Church (about 20 in total) that were very general information but that was all. I didn’t come from a Christian background and I learned very little I didn’t already know while there. I never met with the director, a priest, or anyone on the RCIA team. So if you know definitely you want to enter the Church, I say do it! Obviously it’s up to the priest as it seems RCIA is different everywhere, but there’s a chance it will be allowed. I have spoken with many before though who had great relationships with others in RCIA, learned a lot about the Church throughout their time in RCIA, and have continued to grow in their faith since joining. I encourage you to seek out a parish that seems to put forth a lot of effort into the RCIA program.
Obviously.
But the pastor (or a designated representative of the pastor) who is supposed to verify (as much as possible) that conversion and education take place is not around at all times. A willingness on the part of a catechumen to participate in and complete a formal parish RCIA program consisting of public rites and corporate instruction is fairly good evidence of a sincere conversion of heart. The ability to wait has always been an important part of our Faith.
H
Horton
Guest
Like many others I can’t give a usual answer but I don’t think our RCIA Directors would allow entry at this point to someone who has little to no catechizes and is need of baptism. I feel our team would consider one who has been baptized, has been well catechized, and truly understands what communion with the Catholic Church is.
Last edited:
A
Augustinian
Guest
Its obvious that different people start off at different points. But someone with prior baptism isn’t necessarily more informed than someone without it.
I know. But it is easy to make the mistake that “going through” the RCIA is just about being informed (as opposed to being formed.)SMHW:
Its obvious that different people start off at different points. But someone with prior baptism isn’t necessarily more informed than someone without it.
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Yes, people to start at different points, and if RCIA is done well, it accounts for this. There should be a difference in the process for someone raised in an atheist home and never exposed to God, prayer, scripture, etc. and someone raised in a Christian home and regularly praying, reading the Bible, etc. Those two people would – in an ideal situation – be treated individually and not expected to do the same things at the same time.
T
TheLittleLady
Guest
Many variables, are you a validly baptized Christian? Are there any marriage issues to be regularized? Are you “unchurched”? This is why only your pastor can make the decision.
Indeed.
That is why my parish has made a point of avoiding bringing the baptized into full communion at the Easter Vigil. They may attend some of the same classes as the unbaptized but their journey takes only as long as it takes.
The unbaptized are expected to spend at least the time from September until Easter and preferably a full year or longer. This is more than a period of becoming informed; It is a period for joint formation.
Last edited:
- Status