Just a quick question my peculiar situation

[FMLJoliecouer]

How is someone like myself normally initiated into the RC church?

Many people in my parish have differing opinions. Also, can the Bishop ever over-ride the normal course of action in some instances?

I was baptized RC. I was adopted at 15 mons…I didnt find out I was baptized RC til my twenties when I did a search. I started coming to the Catholic church a year and a half ago and go almost everyday, have been receiving spiritual direction and have attend as many groups as I can. I have also taken the inquiry stage of the RCIA.

I wish to receive the sacraments and I am a single mother, who was married and am divorced.

I am in my 40’s and do not intend on ever getting re-married or dating. I wish to remain celibate the rest of my life.

Everything I read…does not cover my situation. However, I am being received into the church this month…1st communion, and confirmation after of course, a confession.

I just wondered, since it was the Bishop who decided this…Is this normally done? or is it an exception to the rule. I would like to know, as then I would know how to deal with people asking me questions.

peace to all

ps I am ecstatic about becoming a Catholic in full communion with my mother church

 

[Marie5890]

WELCOME HOME!

Nothing unusual at all about your situation. I too was baptized as a Roman Catholic as an infant but never receive the rest of the rites growing up.

In my fourties I returned and after going thru some instruction was received fully into the church…

These days it actually fairly common to find people like you and me who were baptized as children but never went thru the rest of the sacraments.

God Bless.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Congratulations!

There is nothing unusual. The Bishop or even Parish Pastors may decide on different programs for different people. Some would have to go through RCIA even if they have been baptized but never formally instructed in the faith. Just know the Church is flexible. There is a formal process but its not a hardline that the process must be followed. Many bishops and priests are just happy people are coming back into the faith and they will provide guidance along the way. Your desire I guess proves to them how much interested you are in the faith and they wouldn’t want to make you wait any longer, being a baptized Catholic already.

 

[Catholic1954]

:grouphug: Sounds like you are on the right path! Welcome Home!

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

How is someone like myself normally initiated into the RC church?

Many people in my parish have differing opinions. Also, can the Bishop ever over-ride the normal course of action in some instances?

I was baptized RC. I was adopted at 15 mons…I didnt find out I was baptized RC til my twenties when I did a search. I started coming to the Catholic church a year and a half ago and go almost everyday, have been receiving spiritual direction and have attend as many groups as I can. I have also taken the inquiry stage of the RCIA.

I wish to receive the sacraments and I am a single mother, who was married and am divorced.

I am in my 40’s and do not intend on ever getting re-married or dating. I wish to remain celibate the rest of my life.

Everything I read…does not cover my situation. However, I am being received into the church this month…1st communion, and confirmation after of course, a confession.

I just wondered, since it was the Bishop who decided this…Is this normally done? or is it an exception to the rule. I would like to know, as then I would know how to deal with people asking me questions.

peace to all

ps I am ecstatic about becoming a Catholic in full communion with my mother church

Praise God and welcome home.

Just to clearify for you since you were baptized has an infant into the church you have been Catholic your whole life. That said if your marriage was not within the Church it is my understanding that in the eyes of the church you were not married. That said your pastor and Bishop and you can determine what the best course to follow into full communion is.

 

[puzzleannie]

How is someone like myself normally initiated into the RC church?

Many people in my parish have differing opinions. Also, can the Bishop ever over-ride the normal course of action in some instances?

I was baptized RC. I was adopted at 15 mons…I didnt find out I was baptized RC til my twenties when I did a search. I started coming to the Catholic church a year and a half ago and go almost everyday, have been receiving spiritual direction and have attend as many groups as I can. I have also taken the inquiry stage of the RCIA.

I wish to receive the sacraments and I am a single mother, who was married and am divorced.

I am in my 40’s and do not intend on ever getting re-married or dating. I wish to remain celibate the rest of my life.

Everything I read…does not cover my situation. However, I am being received into the church this month…1st communion, and confirmation after of course, a confession.

I just wondered, since it was the Bishop who decided this…Is this normally done? or is it an exception to the rule. I would like to know, as then I would know how to deal with people asking me questions.

peace to all

ps I am ecstatic about becoming a Catholic in full communion with my mother church

Welcome Home! this is wonderful news, thanks for sharing your story

RCIA is the way the Church has established to bring the unbaptized into the Church, which is called initiation. It is also adapted for bringing baptized Non-Catholics into full communion. There is also an adaptation for baptized Catholic adults who have never been catechized, which describes your situation. In practice in most parishes all adults who need some instruction in the Catholic Faith to prepare for any or all of the initiation sacraments–baptism, confirmation and/or first communion–are in a class together. This is for several reasons, resources, the needs of those in the class, available teachers, timing of the sacraments etc.

The opinion of “several people in your parish” is irrelevant, the only opinion someone needs is that of the pastor. The time frame for RCIA for the unbaptized is prescribed, it is no less than one year from the Rite of Acceptance into the Catechumenate (when the inquiry period ends) to the following Easter, and at least 50 days of mystagogy after Easter. The time frame for all those other groups of the baptized, however, varies, or it should vary, according to the needs of the individual. And yes it was quite in order and usual for the pastor in your case to ask the bishop about the timing of your reception because he needs permission to confirm you (the technical words is the “faculty”).

If the Inquiry sessions in your parish were well conducted it is quite possible to cover what you need to know to complete your initiation. That also varies from parish to parish, but you would not be celebrating sacraments now if the pastor did not feel you are ready. Again, great rejoicing for you at this time.