Is RCIA absolutely the only way for a person to enter the Church today?

[John_Grudzien]

The reason why I ask is though I am a Catholic by birth and choice, my dear wife of 32 years is not! I have taken her to Mass a number of times and she has been nothing but terribly disappointed and saddened by what she witnessed. Maybe it’s partially my fault as she has listened to me over the years describing the way it used to be, with the sincerety and reverence we used to have in the Liturgy.
We had at one time set up an appointment with the Deacon we had at our parish at one time and his description of the program sounded like something south of Hilary Clinton’s “It takes a Village” school of thought. “I don’t really like to call them classes, more like discussion groups” was his description of it. Our “Pastoral Associate” (though I have no idea what she does around the parish but write articles for the parish newspaper and maybe set up various and sundry “Bible studies” and other touchy feely effemerata. For this she studied at the local seminary!)was also present, which made my wife feel like she was being double-teamed!!!
That meeting soured my wife on becoming Catholic much less being Baptized. As I followed my wife out of the abruptly ended meeting, I told the Deacon and Pastoral Associate"Thanks a lot!!! You oversold the the Church’s Case with the wrong features and benefits for her(I’m in sales so I think in those terms.) What took me 30 years to accomplish(having her consider Baptism and the Church) you destroyed in15 minutes!!!"
My wife will still consider entering the Church, but she wants, to paraphrase her words,“Classes with the meat and potatoes of the Catholic Church, not the feel good fluff!”
Something more on the order of the old Catechism Classes.
Can someone out there help us?:

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I do not think that RCIA is absolutely required, but the bishop of the local diocese is the one who decides how RCIA is administered. Furthermore as I understand it, it is possible for people to meet one-on-one with a qualified sponsor if they are unable to attend regular group sessions.

What I would suggest is for you two to take advantage of all the good stuff that is out there for the next year. Try something out on line, like the Catechism, like the Baltimore Catechisms on line (check Fisheaters), read through, make notes. Read the footnotes in the on-line catechism and check out things like St. Augustine’s Confessions (at the library if not on line). If you find something particularly helpful, then maybe get it as a hard copy. Again, make lots of notes. Check out a solid encyclopedia of Church history. Go browse at Barnes and Nobles and Check out CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES. (Do not, I repeat DO NOT check out the IDIOT’S GUIDE, whatever you do. It is appalling.)

You’ll find the “Being Catholic” section in Fisheaters very helpful. I would stay away from the other sites there at first, only because they might cause confusion, not because I think that they are wrong, but the Being Catholic is just really, really helpful for the ‘meat and potatoes’ and so why not utilize it as such? We’re talking about getting the basics really under your belt.

Then next year she will have a lot of knowledge. She’ll be able to tell your priest all about X, Y, Z of Catholic teaching. This will lead to one of two things: Either he will be so impressed that he will say she is ready now (and I believe depending on the bishop of the diocese that he can make that determination) OR he will say, “Wow, you’re going to be such an asset to your classmates.” And if she’s gone through all the meat and potatoes, she WILL be. Just think–not only your wife, but all her potential classmates, will then be exposed to your wife’s ‘meat and potatoes’ knowledge. What a great help she’ll be to others to have them properly taught too.

So. . .a possible idea?

Oh, and do remember too, it’s unfortuate that a lot of people speak gobbeldy gook today. Just because he likes to call them ‘discussions’ doesn’t mean that they could not be perfectly valid classes with an unfortunately modernistic’ name’. Just because we call a hamburger patty a Salisbury steak doesn’t make it suddenly turn into filet mignon. A lot of times it’s just people feeling that they have to use the particular jargon or buzz word to sound with it and hip and happening and make people want to ‘engage’ (even if it makes a lot more cringe.)

 

[diggerdomer]

The reason why I ask is though I am a Catholic by birth and choice, my dear wife of 32 years is not! I have taken her to Mass a number of times and she has been nothing but terribly disappointed and saddened by what she witnessed. Maybe it’s partially my fault as she has listened to me over the years describing the way it used to be, with the sincerety and reverence we used to have in the Liturgy.
We had at one time set up an appointment with the Deacon we had at our parish at one time and his description of the program sounded like something south of Hilary Clinton’s “It takes a Village” school of thought. “I don’t really like to call them classes, more like discussion groups” was his description of it. Our “Pastoral Associate” (though I have no idea what she does around the parish but write articles for the parish newspaper and maybe set up various and sundry “Bible studies” and other touchy feely effemerata. For this she studied at the local seminary!)was also present, which made my wife feel like she was being double-teamed!!!
That meeting soured my wife on becoming Catholic much less being Baptized. As I followed my wife out of the abruptly ended meeting, I told the Deacon and Pastoral Associate"Thanks a lot!!! You oversold the the Church’s Case with the wrong features and benefits for her(I’m in sales so I think in those terms.) What took me 30 years to accomplish(having her consider Baptism and the Church) you destroyed in15 minutes!!!"
My wife will still consider entering the Church, but she wants, to paraphrase her words,“Classes with the meat and potatoes of the Catholic Church, not the feel good fluff!”
Something more on the order of the old Catechism Classes.
Can someone out there help us?:

There’s no other approved way for an adult to enter the Church other than the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

 

[Phemie]

There’s no other approved way for an adult to enter the Church other than the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

But the “Rite” really only deals with what happens in the church. The way things are taught varies from parish to parish and depends largely on what resources a particular parish has. You can do one on one preparation and still follow the Rite to the letter.

 

[CDNowak]

There’s no other approved way for an adult to enter the Church other than the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

However it is only intended for those who have not been baptized.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

However it is only intended for those who have not been baptized.

And since the OP said his wife wasn’t baptized, RCIA is the process she would go through.

It sounds like the OP has problems with some of the people at his parish.

Our “Pastoral Associate” (though I have no idea what she does around the parish but write articles for the parish newspaper and maybe set up various and sundry “Bible studies” and other touchy feely effemerata. For this she studied at the local seminary!)was also present, which made my wife feel like she was being double-teamed!!!

Why the scare quotes around the words pastoral associate? And what possible difference does it make if you know what she does in the parish or not?

I personally prefer meeting with inquirers one-on-one, so I wouldn’t have had another member of the team there and I wouldn’t have had you there either. It is important to inform an inquirer about what RCIA is like and what to expect, to get information from her (for example, about marriage issues), and to hear something about what has led her to want to come into the Church.

My wife will still consider entering the Church, but she wants, to paraphrase her words,“Classes with the meat and potatoes of the Catholic Church, not the feel good fluff!”

Unfortunately, many people equate RCIA with catechism class and that’s not what it is. Indeed we do teach people about what the Church teaches and practices, but it’s not intended to turn them into theologians. We get them started and touch on everything from who Jesus is to Catholic social teaching. But as much as anything, RCIA is about nurturing the relationship between the catechumen and God. It’s not only an intellectual process, but about interior conversion as well. For someone who focuses strictly on the intellectual side, this may look like “feel good fluff,” but one’s relationship with God is just as important if not more so.

 

[Joannm]

However it is only intended for those who have not been baptized.

Which is what the OP said his wife needs. Perhaps the OP misunderstands what the RCIA process is. It is NOT a class, it is a process of establishing a relationship with Christ and with His Church as expressed in a particular community. The person is becoming part of a community. RCIA sessions are discussions and informal because relationships are informal. People have to be able to learn at their own pace. Not all are at the same point in their journey. The sessions are tailored to the group. Nothing is to preventa person from studying on her own and then bringing her questions to the group.

Also, with regard to a comment about “bible study,” What is wrong with bible study? Does everything have to be formal classroom format in order for a class to be effective and profitable? I deal a lot with adult education and formation, and there are great differences in adult learning styles. Adults don’t like to be treated like children. Most adults like to take part in discussions, especially with classes on a parish level. I have been teaching adults for years and find short presentations followed by discussion and (name removed by moderator)ut is the best way to go.

 

[Cluny]

There’s no other approved way for an adult to enter the Church other than the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Actually, we enter the Church through BAPTISM, diggerdomer, NOT RICA.

Maybe she might find an Eastern Catholic Church more approachable. Is there one near you?

There’s no law that says that all non-Catholics have to embrace the Latin rite.

 

[CDNowak]

I stand by my previous comment (diggerdomer made an overly general statement, which made it false).

Back to the OP’s situation, it is not unheard of for some pastors to take the time to give individual instruction, particularly in the case of those who have a more comprehensive knowledge of the Catholic faith.

It is also possible to go to another parish (perhaps one that offers the EF) for RCIA, or if the OF is an obstacle to consider the Eastern Rites.

 

[diggerdomer]

Actually, we enter the Church through BAPTISM, diggerdomer, NOT RICA.

Maybe she might find an Eastern Catholic Church more approachable. Is there one near you?

There’s no law that says that all non-Catholics have to embrace the Latin rite.

Well, yes, of course we enter through baptism, perhaps I should have been more precise and used the word “initiated” rather than “enter”? My point was that in the Roman Rite, adults are initiated (which includes baptism of course but also confirmation and Eucharist) via RCIA.

And, yes, I was assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that the OP was referring to the Roman Catholic Church (mostly due to the terminology used). Sorry if that was inaccurate, and I certainly did not mean to neglect the other Rites. Sorry for my imprecision.

 

[diggerdomer]

However it is only intended for those who have not been baptized.

In the U.S. the Rite also addresses those entering into full communion of the Catholic Church i.e. those who were validly baptized in another Christian denomination.

 

[John_Grudzien]

Perhaps I sould add some clarifications, forgive me as I am somewhat new to this means of communications.

1. My wife has never been baptized, having come from a protestant background that
   doesn’t hold with child or infant Baptism.
2. She HAS developed her own relationship with Our Lord and it is indeed very private
   and personal.
3. She has copies of the old Baltimore Catechism, the new Cathechism of the Catholic
   Church and the “For Dummies” book.
4. She, because of her nature, will never agree to becoming part of a large pageant at
   the Easter Vigil Mass. For her, a relationship such as this with Our Lord and His
   Church is an INTENSLY PERSONAL AND PRIVATE MATTER and should be held
   with a few INVITED close personal friends and family. That’s not me, that’s just the
   way she is. I’m the more out-going one of us!
   As for the scare quotes around the words Pastoral Associate and Bible study, well let’s just say they aren’t meant to* scare* anyone. I don’t mean to be uncharitable in either case, just shows a personal feeling on each matter from an aging Traditional-minded Boomer.:tiphat:
   J.G.

 

[dconklin]

It sounds like she needs RCIA and then to enroll in a Lay Ministry class. I am in my second year of Lay Ministry and I love it. I am a “cradle” Catholic and I am getting all the meat and potatoes I missed in all my years of CCD, Catholic school and Catholic univ.

 

[CDNowak]

Perhaps I sould add some clarifications, forgive me as I am somewhat new to this means of communications.

1. My wife has never been baptized, having come from a protestant background that
   doesn’t hold with child or infant Baptism.
2. She HAS developed her own relationship with Our Lord and it is indeed very private
   and personal.
3. She has copies of the old Baltimore Catechism, the new Cathechism of the Catholic
   Church and the “For Dummies” book.
4. She, because of her nature, will never agree to becoming part of a large pageant at
   the Easter Vigil Mass. For her, a relationship such as this with Our Lord and His
   Church is an INTENSLY PERSONAL AND PRIVATE MATTER and should be held
   with a few INVITED close personal friends and family. That’s not me, that’s just the
   way she is. I’m the more out-going one of us!
   As for the scare quotes around the words Pastoral Associate and Bible study, well let’s just say they aren’t meant to* scare* anyone. I don’t mean to be uncharitable in either case, just shows a personal feeling on each matter from an aging Traditional-minded Boomer.:tiphat:
   J.G.

Definitely try to find a priest willing to do one-on-one instruction.

Ps diggerdomer: try checking the USCCB website on that one

 

[white_sheep]

The answer to the OP is no. However, most priests do require it. Talk to your priest. You could ask around as well, but I would talk to the priests themselves, not the office ladies.

 

[brigid12]

I would add my agreement to the poster who suggested an RCIA and priest who practice the EF if at all possible. One way I’ve found of understanding the focus of the priest, is through going to confession at various parishes rather than at the one that is closest (same with an orthodox, devout Mass). I’m sure that Jesus would prefer we church-shop (which is ok now in most diocese) than to allow an obstacle to His closer communion with a person - like baptism. I realize that you were taught very differently, however exceptions will turn up in the course of human affairs, as I’m sure you realize.

 

[otjm]

Perhaps I sould add some clarifications, forgive me as I am somewhat new to this means of communications.

You are doing fine.

1. She HAS developed her own relationship with Our Lord and it is indeed very private nd personal.

Her feelings and reactions may well be due to her background. Faith is a very perosnal thing; but the Catholic Church does not consider that our relationship with Christ, His Father or the Spirit to be exclusively personal and private. And that is not some new-agey post the '60’s “spirit of Vatican 2” thing. St Paul talks of the “body of Christ”, and reading what he says shopuld be a good start.

1. She has copies of the old Baltimore Catechism, the new Cathechism of the Catholic Church and the “For Dummies” book.

Excellent source materials.

4) She, because of her nature, will never agree to becoming part of a large pageant at the Easter Vigil Mass. For her, a relationship such as this with Our Lord and His Church is an INTENSLY PERSONAL AND PRIVATE MATTER and should be held with a few INVITED close personal friends and family. That’s not me, that’s just the way she is. I’m the more out-going one of us!

The old rule is, never say never. It is not outside the realm of possiblity that a priest may baptize her on some day other than on Holy Saturday. There are people who simply cannot deal with a crowd. On the other hand, the reason that they do it this way is that she is not just setting up a relationship with Jesus; she is setting up a relationship with Jesus’ Church. For quite some time, people did not come into the Church on whatever Saturday or Sunday pleased them most or was most convenient for those friends and relatives; they came in on Holy Saturday, and had often spent three years in formation. The Church has valid reasons for people coming into the Church on Holy Saturday Night.

Since you seem to be the more outgoing, it might help to remember that there are more flies drawn to honey than there are to vinegar; I am sure you are aware of it, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded. Priests are human in spite of their ordination, and subject to the same human failings as the rest of us. Occasionally, one gets stuck on form over substance. Be careful how you approach the priest concerning when and how she may come in.

It would be my suggestion that she attend, and try to keep an open mind about RCIA. And as a practical matter, yes, members who joined the early Church were catechized; but it also bears remembering that we didn’t have theologians by and large. We had people who were on fire for the Lord; who tried mightily to live out the Gospel commands of Love God with your whole Heart and Love your neighbor as yourself. And the knowing was important, but only as it supported the two commands.

RCIA at its best is not designed to pour volumes of information down people’s throats. It is designed to build faith, through the use of Scriptures (and a thousand years ago, and 2000, they didn’t have the Baltimore Catechism, etc; they only had Scripture essentially). If one goes to a year-round RCIA program, one will find the major tennets of the Church (for example, the Eucharist is set out in the readings during the summer) set forth during the year. It is presumed that people will continue to learn more of their faith as they progress after joining. Perhaps that is a poor presumption. However, the essence of the faith can be learned through RCIA; and more importantly, faith developed. Faith is not developed by reading a book; that may give the grounds for faith; but faith grows as one lives the Gospel.

 

[otjm]

I teach as part of my parish RCIA team. there tends to be a bit of confusion about it, and given that the program is more amorphus than I would like, I can see how some of it comes up.

Several years ago therre was at least one if not two articles covering the RCIA process. A survey had been done, and not surprisingly, there were two camps clearly identified out of it.

One camp headed in the direction of being faith building as opposed to “teaching doctrine” as the primary purpose; not surprisingly, the other camp headed the other direction.

And in the middle was a process, designed to be done by the “lectionary method”, that didn’t seem to be working as well as it should; if for no other reason than there appears to be a significant fall-off in attendance of those who join.

What seems to be needed is perhaps a clearer picture of what needs to be taught and how. The classes in my parish try to blend the two sides - faith building and information. And it bears saying that faith that is not built on a firm foundation cand and often does lead to, if not heresy, at least some strange positions.

At the same time, it also bears repeating that even the devil can quote Scripture; pouring in volumes of theological material is no guarantee that there will be any faith; only an information base. The process needs both.

The first half of each weekly meeting goes over the next week’s readings, trying to open them up for what is said, not only directly, but woven through the readings. The second half is what we call nuts and bolts - issues of theology and practical Church issues. And when we start the dismissals, the candidates and catechumens and I go after the homily (they have heard the Scriptures twice now) and we read the Gospel reading; then they answer a question around the table: what word or phrase jumps out at you? Another reading of the Gospel, and the second question: what in this reading is a surprise to you, or something you saw for the first time? A third reading, and the third question: how does this reading call you to change?

Why do we do this? First, no discussion is allowed, and no questions; they are there to give their answer, and hear others’ answer. So why the format? Well, what is the Gospel reading supposed to do? We need to learn; learn what the Lord is trying to tell us; and these questions are designed to give them a chance not only to hear themselves, but also others.

I have had positive comments over the years I have done this; perhaps the most meaningful one was from a young woman, very bright, an engineer with Intel, who seemed to be mentally there at classes, and really fought the dismissal. At the end on Pentacost, she volunteered that the dismissal was something she had been fighting, and it turned out to be the one thing that had the most posititve impact on her. She, too, was an information focused person; and what she learned was that it was not the information that brought her close to Christ; it was the struggle with what the Gospels were really about - metanoia.

And that, ultimately, is what being Catholic is about - metanoia - turning from our ways to God’s ways. Faith building without correct information leads to chaos. Correct information without faith building is sterile. We need both.

 

[sneakers]

My husband did not go through RCIA. He was taught by a nun from Mother Theresa’s order, under the guidance of our parish priest. That was many years ago, although I do know that they had RCIA programs at that time. Our priest was a bit more traditional.

 

[diggerdomer]

Definitely try to find a priest willing to do one-on-one instruction.

Ps diggerdomer: try checking the USCCB website on that one

p.s. I did

What is meant when people refer to men and women
coming into “full communion with the Church”?

Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for men and women who are baptized Christians but not Roman Catholics. These individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called “candidates,” usually participate in a program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Some preparation may be with catechumens preparing for baptism, but the preparation for candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities.