Other's experiences of RCIA

[MontChevalier]

Today I learned what the Eucharist was. I wish I had known that it was the Bread and Wine the Bible was talking about (i.e. the Body and Blood of Christ) some months ago before I got an infraction here for being ignorant of that. (Yes, this in fact did happen to me here).

So far, I’ve been having loads of fun learning about the Church, Canon Law and other stories and personal experiences of people. The deacon, a quinquagenarian man, had me sit in his office today and gave me the papers I need to look over and even brought some grapes as examples. He explained that there were groups who believed that alcohol in the wine was good, while others thought it was bad. I’ve never taken the Catholic Eucharist, but my only experience of it is when I was a young 6yr old child asking my parents if I, and I quote, “could go take that white thing and drink that stuff too?”, end quote. Of course, they told me no, cause I had to go through a process. I had no clue what they were talking about, and none of that made sense, I was a kid and I just wanted to have fun and join the groups.

Alas, it’s been nearly 16yrs since then, and I’m getting close to taking the Eucharist.

What were some of the experiences people on here went through their first time?

-MontChevalier

 

[Credendum]

Four years ago I entered the RCIA after having taken a church history course in college. Intellectually, I knew the Catholic Church was the true Church; however, I still had protestant hang-ups, especially about veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was not ready to be Catholic, so I dropped out of the process. I then explored Unitarian Universalism, new age, agnosticism, and atheism (living in unforgiveness toward protestants that hurt me). I still had a lot of maturing to do. Then one day I decided to visit a Nazarene church because I knew deep inside that Christ is the way. However, I got red flags when they pressed me to join the choir upon my first visit. I thought, how do they know whether I’m a Christian or not? Do they even care? It felt like a club they wanted me to join rather than the Church. Then I remembered my first experience of the Mass and began to see things more clearly. I re-entered the RCIA and was confirmed Catholic this year.
Each week, we went to class after Mass and learned about the elements of the Mass as well as Church teachings. The RCIA team was dedicated to ensuring our formation of faith. I appreciate the Church’s approach to conversion. It’s not just a sign the dotted line and you’re in thing. It’s about being ready and willing to receive Christ in the Eucharist.

 

[HonoraDominum]

I can’t even imagine getting an “infraction” during RCIA. But I do agree with the other poster, RCIA is definitely a process, and a most excellent one at that. I started RCIA in 2005 and was baptized in 2006.

I had a couple of RCIA and newbie Catholic awkward moments, but I still chalk them up to being new. Here’s a couple:

• On Holy Thursday, after the blessed sacrament is taken out of the altar, you do not need to kneel as you exit - He’s not there. But you can still bow respectfully to the altar.
• It’s okay to have holy cards or prayer books to help with the long prayers (Hail Holy Queen, the Act of Confession in the confessional, etc.). The first few times I went to confession, there wasn’t a card with the prayer in the confessional and I’d have to “wing” an act of contrition. Then I put a holy card with the prayer and put it into my missal and brought it in every time. Heck, I still don’t know the Memorare, and it took me MONTHS to memorize the St. Michael prayer.

The most important thing to do during RCIA is pray, pray, pray. Spend as much time as you can in front of the tabernacle praying for the grace of a true and devout conversion. Get to know your Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you can find one, read the Baltimore Catechism series - I still read Baltimore Catechism #2 often, and it still answers questions for me. Get in the habit of saying a daily rosary, and Mary will bless and protect you always. Be warned that the closer that you get to baptism, the harder things will become - you will face trials and doubts and bad things will assault you in both your spiritual and worldly life. You may be tormented with doubts, fears, and anxieties. Always remember that these are lies from Satan, who is a liar from the beginning and the father of lies. Ignore him.

God be with you in your journey. And welcome home!