question about RCIA

[journeytotruth]

Hi,

I just started RCIA back in August, and was wondering if someone could tell me what the process is for RCIA. I was told that in a couple weeks we are to go before the church and declare our intentions with RCIA. What exactly does that mean and what if I’m still unsure about where RCIA may lead me?

I was raised protestant and have been considering conversion to catholicism for the past several months. However, I know that faith is not something that can be rushed and I don’t want to jump in too soon.

Thanks so much!

 

[puzzleannie]

there are several recent threads with very specific info on the RCIA process, so a search will be very helpful. Generally a period of inquiry comes first, to give everyone a chance to get their questions, worries, misapprehensions on the table and answered, and come to the point where the definitely decide to continue with the process. This part cannot be rushed, and while it involves some formal instruction, also involves a lot of discussion. Everybody does not take the same amount of time, because we are all at a different starting place.

When a goodly number of the group are ready, those who are not baptized will celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, be blessed, and declare their intention to become Christian. Those who are already baptized will celebrate, not necessarily at the same time, the Rite of Welcoming, wherein they also will have a blessing, and express their intent of seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

Your instructors probably do not want to overwhelm you with a complete rundown on everything that is going to happen step by step, or to “rehearse” the rites too much. The Rites themselves are intergral to the experience and the process and should be appreciated for that, and they are also catechetical events.

The key word to learn for RCIA is patience. It is a process, not a class, and progress is marked by celebrations, not tests or grades.

 

[Pug]

journeytotruth:

However, I know that faith is not something that can be rushed and I don’t want to jump in too soon.

Thanks so much!

Journey,

You do not have to make a committment to for sure become Catholic yet! Later on, they will ask if you feel it is time to receive the sacraments and join the Church, and after that at some point the bishop will pray over you all, but still you can change your mind. Talk to your RCIA leader to get that clarified if it is bugging you. They like to have small ceremonies where people pray for you.

You can sit in the meetings and not join the Church! You can come again the next year if you like. Take your time.