Please help me understand my status

  • Thread starter Thread starter srlucado
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

srlucado

Guest
I’ve been working on this for months, and I admit to being confused.

I was baptized a Catholic, raised a Methodist, was married in a Catholic church, and am now seeking to be confirmed as a Catholic and become active in the faith.

From what I gather by reading (and I’ve studied this a lot), I’m a candidate, not a catechumen, and yet tonight when I went to an RCIA meeting, I was told I belong in RCIA and would have to undergo the complete process as though I’d never set foot in a Catholic church before.

Is that right?

I’m asking because this is what I got from a link on this very site:
The means by which those who have already been validly baptized become part of the Church differs considerably from that of the unbaptized. …
…Their doctrinal and spiritual preparation for reception into full Catholic communion should be determined according to the individual case…
[baptized Catholics] are not to participate in the rites intended for catechumens, such as the scrutinies. Even “[t]he rites of presentation of the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the book of the Gospels are not proper except for those who have received no Christian instruction and formation” (NSC 31).
… The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, “Those baptized persons who have lived as Christians and need only instruction in the Catholic tradition and a degree of probation within the Catholic community should not be asked to undergo a full program parallel to the catechumenate” (NSC 31). For this reason, they should not share in the same, full RCIA programs that catechumens do.
The timing of their reception into the Church also is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, "It is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptism, possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism celebrated in another church or ecclesial community . . . " (NSC 33).
(catholic.com/library/How_to_Become_a_Catholic.asp)

I just want to do what’s right. What is proper? And if I’m told to do something improper, what do I do about it?

Thanks, everyone. I’m really stressed out over this.
 
If your parish has the resources you can attend a confirmation class. Most parishes struggle to have a single RCIA class, many have to drive to a neighboring parish. So most RCIA classes are a mixture of adults missing one or more sacraments. With a lack of resources processing a single group is very common. On the other hand we have had several choose to go with catechumens even when other options existed, because they did not really understand catholism and needed to review the basics. In the end it is all the same. God is simple capable on knowing.
 
I’ve been working on this for months, and I admit to being confused.

I was baptized a Catholic, raised a Methodist, was married in a Catholic church, and am now seeking to be confirmed as a Catholic and become active in the faith.

From what I gather by reading (and I’ve studied this a lot), I’m a candidate, not a catechumen, and yet tonight when I went to an RCIA meeting, I was told I belong in RCIA and would have to undergo the complete process as though I’d never set foot in a Catholic church before.

Is that right?

I’m asking because this is what I got from a link on this very site:

(catholic.com/library/How_to_Become_a_Catholic.asp)

I just want to do what’s right. What is proper? And if I’m told to do something improper, what do I do about it?

Thanks, everyone. I’m really stressed out over this.
WELCOME … 👋

As another posted stated, many parishes have a hard time haveing lots of different formation programs. Getting staff and or volunteers is hard and the RCIA is a huge committement … My parish has RCIA for catechumens [un-baptized] , candidates [babotized in another Christian faith tradition] and conformandi [Adults - un-catechized catholics and those in need of completing the sacraments of initiation]- though we do our best to modify the process where possible to account for the various situations and people … that is not easy :o

Did you make your first Holy Communion before leving for the Methodist Church?

How much catholic formation and catechesis have you had?

Were you re-baptized in the Methodist Church?

Did you recieve formation/instruction/catechesis when you went through your marriage preparation How long ago was that?

There are lots of variables and everyone’s journey of faith is unique in many ways …

Visit with the parish priest or RCIA director - make an appointment - to discuss your concerns and options … The information of the RCIA [if that is the decision] and the time spent will not be useless … look at it as a time for spiritual growth 👍
 
I’ve been working on this for months, and I admit to being confused.

I was baptized a Catholic, raised a Methodist, was married in a Catholic church, and am now seeking to be confirmed as a Catholic and become active in the faith.

From what I gather by reading (and I’ve studied this a lot), I’m a candidate, not a catechumen, and yet tonight when I went to an RCIA meeting, I was told I belong in RCIA and would have to undergo the complete process as though I’d never set foot in a Catholic church before.

Is that right?

I’m asking because this is what I got from a link on this very site:

(catholic.com/library/How_to_Become_a_Catholic.asp)

I just want to do what’s right. What is proper? And if I’m told to do something improper, what do I do about it?

Thanks, everyone. I’m really stressed out over this.
You are neither a Catechumen or a Candidate. You are an adult Catholic seeking to complete your Sacraments if Initiation -Confirmation and Holy Commmunion (?).

You would participate in an RCIA like process to prepare you to receive them, you might even be attending the RCIA class, but would not technically be in the RCIA.

Just keep reminding them that you are already CATHOLIC. Obtain a copy of your Baptismal certificate from the parish you were Baptized in. It is possible that the back of this certificate might also show your Marriage in the Catholic Church. When they want you to participate in the Rite of Welcome or Acceptance, show them the Baptismal certificate and say I can’t, I’m already Catholic!
 
there is mention and provision in the RCIA ritual book for persons like yourself, who although baptized Catholic, were never properly catechized, or who formally or informally joined another religious body for a period of time (often simply because that is what their family did). This person is often in need of the same catechetical formation (the education and study part of the process) as someone who is not Catholic. In addition, if they were very strong in the former faith, they have the benefit of that grounding, and often a strong scriptural foundation, but at the same time have more misinformation or doctrinal issues to work through. They deserve to be given the time and support needed to address these issues. It makes sense for most parishes to make best use of resources, and have all the adults in the same “class”. Sad to say, many adult Catholics are sadly lacking in Christian formation and may be in need of even more basic education in the faith than their non-Catholic brethren.

as Bro says, simply repeat patiently “I am already Catholic” if they try to make you go through the rites reserved for the unbaptized.
 
rlucado
New Member Join Date: February 19, 2009
Posts: 24
**
Please help me understand my status… **
I’ve been working on this for months, and I admit to being confused.
I was baptized a Catholic, raised a Methodist, was married in a Catholic church, and am now seeking to be confirmed as a Catholic and become active in the faith.
From what I gather by reading (and I’ve studied this a lot), I’m a candidate, not a catechumen, and yet tonight when I went to an RCIA meeting, I was told I belong in RCIA and would have to undergo the complete process as though I’d never set foot in a Catholic church before.
Is that right?
**The short answer is YES!:**thumbsup:

And you deserve to know why:rolleyes:

Using your own description of your Catholic education and experience, you likely know a great deal more about what Methodist practice and believe than what we Catholics practice and believe.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is precisely that: a confirming by you, a knowing acceptance of all dogma, doctrine and practrices of the Catholic Church. A personal affirmation that you understand what you are committing to. Do you?

Dear friend, if you don’t know fully what we believe, and why, then how can you “confirm” that you do, amd that you will live and teach, and share the faith?

I have three years of RCIA teaching experience at present, and 10 other years of teaching our Wonderful faith.

RCIA is not a “kids” class. It is Catechesis for adults. Instruction in our Faith for mature, eager to serve God Chrsitians. I have yet to find a single person who has completed the class, not be thrilled and enthustiastic about it. Not one:)

Each and every year, we have one or more returning Catholics in our class.So you likely will not be alone. There is GREAT respect for anyone wishing to learn, know and practice our faith.

How can one practice fully what one does not understand?

It is not sufficient to be simply called “a Catholic” Christ our Blessed Lord expects each of us to know, live, love and share our faith! Being INVITED to RCIA is a GIFT, not a penalty😃

May God bless you super abundently as you take advantage of the graces and opportunities that God is making available to you.

Love and prayers, Patrick
 
You would not join the catechumens for dismissal after the liturgy of the Word during Mass, for “breaking open the Word.” You are expected to attend the entire Mass because you are baptized.

You would not participate in the same RCIA rites as the unbaptized (their major pre-Initiation rites being the Rite of Acceptance and the Rite of Election, and the minor rites being the Rite of Sending, the Scrutinies, the Presentation of the Creed, the Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer, and possibly others (such as minor exorcisms).

However, as posted above, due to lack of parish resources and for practical reasons, the unbaptized and baptized may be catechized together (and attend retreats, etc.) as you all prepare for the Sacraments.
 
Well, I’ve been absent from this forum for a few months, but let me provide an update.

To make a long story short, after a few months of attending RCIA classes with the non-baptized at my parish, I was confirmed this past All Saints’ Day.

Pretty cool.
 
Well, I’ve been absent from this forum for a few months, but let me provide an update.

To make a long story short, after a few months of attending RCIA classes with the non-baptized at my parish, I was confirmed this past All Saints’ Day.

Pretty cool.
Niiice 😃
Congratualtions!
 
Well, I’ve been absent from this forum for a few months, but let me provide an update.

To make a long story short, after a few months of attending RCIA classes with the non-baptized at my parish, I was confirmed this past All Saints’ Day.

Pretty cool.
I’m interested in knowing if you were able to obtain an Baptism certificate from the parish you were Baptized in and if it showed any additional Sacraments on the back?
 
I’m interested in knowing if you were able to obtain an Baptism certificate from the parish you were Baptized in and if it showed any additional Sacraments on the back?
Sure, I had needed a baptismal certificate to get married, so I ordered an updated one from the Archdiocese (the parish where I was baptized closed many years ago). The new certificate showed the sacraments of baptism and marriage.
 
Sure, I had needed a baptismal certificate to get married, so I ordered an updated one from the Archdiocese (the parish where I was baptized closed many years ago). The new certificate showed the sacraments of baptism and marriage.
👍
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top