Process

[ReflectHim]

Seems like its a tedious process of becoming a member of the catholic church. Unless you are “near death”. Why such the long process of rcia classes and such. Where is an example of confirmation found, and whats its purpose.

Thanks in advance!

 

[awalt]

Well, I think that there’s a lot to learn, because everyone wants the candidate to choose the Church being fully knowledgeable of what they are accepting., The Catholic Church is contrasted from others that allow joining just to get involved. It would not make sense to join the Church and not understand what beliefs they are expected to be on board with, right?

In loose terms, you are probably finding that the Church basic beliefs are contained in the Creed. There’s a lot to understand there. If you don’t believe in all that is there, you should not be part of the Church. The Bible also says that those that were exposed to the Truth are held to a higher standard, so it’s critical that the time is taken to ensure you have a chance to understand.

Growing you faith through learning more, and practicing what you learn, is a life-long task. So the process you are undergoing is ideally a process of learning that should continue long after you become a member of the Church.

Good luck to you!

 

[Tantum_ergo]

In this era of instant gratification, fast foods, and split second attention spans, I think that having a “longer” process to evaluate one’s coming to the Catholic faith is a very good thing. I’d venture to say that many other rites of passage and life changing events (preparation for marriage, preparation for parenthood, etc.) would benefit from a longer “tedious” process as well.

 

[puzzleannie]

When an adult enters the Catholic Church he makes a profession of faith, and he will not be allowed to do so unless he understands what he is professing and can do so in good faith. The RCIA process is more than education, it is also a conversion process, different of course for every individual, depending on where you are when you begin.

The rites along the way which punctuate the process are intended to strengthen, guide, and prepare the individual for initiation and the demands of living in conformity with Christ, including the very real possibility of martyrdom for the faith. the time should be not less than a year, after the initial period of inquiry, from the time the person enters the catechumenate, formally declaring his intention to prepare for initiation.

for the biblical basis for Confirmation check out the first two Chapters of Acts.

 

[kleary]

ReflectHim:

Seems like its a tedious process of becoming a member of the catholic church. Unless you are “near death”. Why such the long process of rcia classes and such. Where is an example of confirmation found, and whats its purpose.

Thanks in advance!

Well as I see it, when you are “near death” or so to say “on your death bed” there is no time to teach everything. Such as when you are born, and death could come at any time, so the infant is baptized as soon as possible.

However one such as a catechumen, or one who is studying to be a Catholic, well that is another story because you HAVE THE ABILITY to learn and be taught the faith.

As far as “an example of confirmation”, what do you mean? Do you mean that you seek proof of the Sacrament from Scripture or another document in Christian History?

Ken

 

[mosher]

The re-institution of RCIA in the Church is to refelect the process of the early Church for becoming a Catholic. And fi you do a little historical reasearch you will see that the current RCIA process is actually very fast unlike the early Church where it took many years to become a Christian (Catholic).