RCIA and Baptism

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If RCIA already started can I still start attending Church, and would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA?
 
I want to assume that this is accessible and in no way exclusive to the point that if you missed the one day a year a class would start you have to wait another year to even begin to attend and study and everything. That seems counterintuitive.
 
If RCIA already started can I still start attending Church, and would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA?
Talk to your pastor about that, but most folks are better off by doing RCIA. It’s anything but a dry boring class.😃
I want to assume that this is accessible and in no way exclusive to the point that if you missed the one day a year a class would start you have to wait another year to even begin to attend and study and everything. That seems counterintuitive.
No, most RCIA can be started anytime but I encourage you to make every class that you can.It’s well worth it.
 
I want to assume that this is accessible and in no way exclusive to the point that if you missed the one day a year a class would start you have to wait another year to even begin to attend and study and everything. That seems counterintuitive.
I was told rcia started in the fall, only to find out there were introductory classes all summer. Every parish is different, different schedules, different materials, etc. My husband and I, after three years of independent study, took private classes with a priest and basically were accepted by examination. So that’s an option.
 
If RCIA already started can I still start attending Church, and would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA?
I don’t do RCIA but I think your RCIA director or the priest in charge can decide for you. But it is good not to miss its classes/module, not so sure what the actual contents are. There seem to be no standard format thus it all the more reason not to miss classes unless it is unavoidable.

I think the benefit is not just the knowledge imparted during classes but rather for you to go through it. In participation, you would receive invaluable experience in getting the feel and eventually the life of the Church.

What makes you think you cannot attending Church? Of course you always can regardless of your RCIA attendance. The only thing it may affect your eligibility for baptism but then again the person in charge/priest would decide on that.

God bless you in your journey.
 
If RCIA already started can I still start attending Church, and would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA?
The only person who can answer your question is your pastor. I would encourage you in going to Mass, though. Anyone can do that at any time.
 
The only person who can answer your question is your pastor. I would encourage you in going to Mass, though. Anyone can do that at any time.
I agree with Joe. I want to add one bit, though. You asked, "Would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA??

The first thing you need to know is that RCIA is not primarily a class and baptism isn’t based on how much you know. RCIA is a conversion process where someone constantly grows in their relationship with the Lord. That growth is marked by various rites (hence the “R” in RCIA) culminating in the sacraments of initiation.

How quickly or slowly the process proceeds is between the catechumen and God. Unfortunately it is often shoehorned into a calendar that says you start on a particular date and end on a particular date, but that’s not what the Church envisions.

So talk with your pastor and/or RCIA director. You can probably start attending now even if you aren’t baptized this coming Easter Vigil. And perhaps it will be appropriate for you to be baptized this year.
 
If RCIA already started can I still start attending Church, and would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA?
Yes, you can absolutely start attending church. I would highly encourage it!

It’s absolutely possible to get baptized and confirmed this Easter! You would have to talk to the RCIA/religious education director and/or the pastor of the Church where you attend or would go through RCIA. Every parish does it differently. When I was on RCIA team, we’d accept people later than this, and would just have them do some catch-up reading.

I’d suggest calling the Parish, let them know your intentions, and they’"" get you in touch with the right people.
 
If RCIA already started can I still start attending Church, and would it be possible to learn everything I need to know and be eligible for Baptism on Holy Saturday without taking the formal RCIA?
THANKS for asking:thumbsup:

The NORM [for very good and prudent reasons] is the requirement of all those seeking entry into the RCC.

The induction takes place on Easter Sunday

Most RCIA classes begin with Back to school, so it is up to your Pastor as to whether or not you’d still be able to join this years RCIA Classes. INQUIRE ASAP to enhance your chances of doing so.

It is a very RARE exception to permit one to enter into the RCC without RCIA participation; BUT if you have a strong and demonstrable FAITH -formation background, make an appointment ASAP with your Pastor to discuss it.

As a FYI:

Baptism is BUT ONE of the three Sacraments of Initiation; which include Baptism, Confirmation and the Most Holy Eucharist. Except for Infant Baptism; it is the NORM to keep these 3 Sacraments joined. So “just” a Baptism for an adult would be outside off the NORM.

**CHAPTER ONE
THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

1212 **The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. “The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.”

God Bless you, PRAY much and act quickly:)

Patrick
 
Thank you for the helpful responses, all!

I am very excited about starting on this journey, and not to seem impatient… am in no particular rush to arrive at certain destinations on the journey… I didn’t become a Christian until age 31, so I already know my journey’s time line is out of my hands and now in someone else’s.
 
Thank you for the helpful responses, all!

I am very excited about starting on this journey, and not to seem impatient… am in no particular rush to arrive at certain destinations on the journey… I didn’t become a Christian until age 31, so I already know my journey’s time line is out of my hands and now in someone else’s.
AMEN!

And Continued Blessings

Patrick
 
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