RCIA before Vatican II

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The RCIA was reinstituted by Vatican II so that we have now what resembes the catechumenate in the very early church, where catechumens would participate in intense study, penance, etc for 3 years (at least) and then welcomed into the church at the Eater Vigil (which, until well after the 4th century was the ony Easter Service-there was not a Sunday morning Easter Mass-the mass flowed from the late evening into sunrise)

Before Vatican II, before being baptized and brought into full communion with the church, there would be private instruction for about 6 weeks prior to the baptism and then a private bapitsm with close family and friends. It did not involve the whole community as it did in the very early church and as it does now.
 
Philomeena said:
Before Vatican II, before being baptized and brought into full communion with the church, there would be private instruction for about 6 weeks prior to the baptism and then a private bapitsm with close family and friends. It did not involve the whole community as it did in the very early church and as it does now.
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Can things still be done this way if one finds a priest that is willing?
 
marci said:
If it was 1950 and someone wanted to convert, how would it have been done?
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Usually through private instructions with the Pastor, if Thomas Merton’s story of his conversion in SEVEN STORY MOUNTAIN is any indication.

But if you come into the Church, you don’t set unilateral guidelines about how you expect to be instructed and received.

In other words, you can’t act like RCIA isn’t there or V2 didn’t happen.

OTOH, if you cannot attend the sessions due to work or other duties, I’m sure arrangements can be made.
 
marci said:
Can things still be done this way if one finds a priest that is willing?
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I know that for baptized Christians yes! Though most still go through the RCIA process, RCIA is only required for non-baptized Christians. Again, though, most people go through RCIA (my girlfriend’s father did not. He had meetings with the parish priest instead).
 
marci said:
If it was 1950 and someone wanted to convert, how would it have been done?
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It was entirely up to the priest, back then. Some priests ran what were called “Inquirers’ Classes” which typically followed a 24-week curriculum based on the Baltimore Catechism, followed by First Confession and Conditional Baptism. The newly baptized would then receive First Holy Communion at the following Sunday Mass, and Confirmation at the next appearance of the Bishop at that parish, along with the children.

In some places they had something called the Guild of St. Paul, which was intended as a support group for new converts, but it didn’t exist in every place - converts were expected to be proactive in learning how to live the Catholic life, and making Catholic friends.
 
bmadamsberry said:
I know that for baptized Christians yes! Though most still go through the RCIA process, RCIA is only required for non-baptized Christians. Again, though, most people go through RCIA (my girlfriend’s father did not. He had meetings with the parish priest instead).
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Thanks. I am asking because my husband (baptised) is willing to convert, but he wants to do things privately. Not necessarily the study, but he doesn’t want to have attention called to himself during the Mass. He is somewhat shy, particularly in front of a large crowd.

I know of a priest who would allow him to do this privately, but on another forum there was a discusion about valid RCIA Rites and there was a question about if the conversion would be valid.
 
Well, like I said, your husband could meet with the priest one-on-one for disccussions (this almost happened to me when my parents refused to allow me to go to RCIA).
 
marci said:
Thanks. I am asking because my husband (baptised) is willing to convert, but he wants to do things privately. Not necessarily the study, but he doesn’t want to have attention called to himself during the Mass. He is somewhat shy, particularly in front of a large crowd.

I know of a priest who would allow him to do this privately, but on another forum there was a discusion about valid RCIA Rites and there was a question about if the conversion would be valid.
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FrDavid’s link brings up another point: the EF. As is the case with the Missal, I believe a priest may use the “old” Ritual. Whether or not you are interested in the EF I don’t know, but it does remain an option.
 
marci said:
Thanks. I am asking because my husband (baptised) is willing to convert, but he wants to do things privately. Not necessarily the study, but he doesn’t want to have attention called to himself during the Mass. He is somewhat shy, particularly in front of a large crowd.

I know of a priest who would allow him to do this privately, but on another forum there was a discusion about valid RCIA Rites and there was a question about if the conversion would be valid.
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Marci,
There is really no such thing as “valid or invalid” RCIA rites. The sacraments themselves (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) have to be valid, of course, but the entire RCIA program itself is a tool for the pastor (first, bishop as pastor of the diocese, and secondly parish pastor) to use. Pastors are free (and strongly encouraged) to make use of it, but aren’t strictly required to do so. Please don’t read too much into that. My point here is that the RCIA itself can be adapted by your pastor to suit the particular needs of your husband–but you’ll have to talk directly to the pastor about this. I suggest not going to an RCIA director or DRE or other person, but to the pastor directly.

Is the priest you know a parish pastor? If so, that helps.
 
malphono said:
FrDavid’s link brings up another point: the EF. As is the case with the Missal, I believe a priest may use the “old” Ritual. Whether or not you are interested in the EF I don’t know, but it does remain an option.
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I’m not sure if the EF for reception of converts can be used or not. The Holy Father did say in article 9 that “ordinaries” can use the EF for Confirmation, but I’m not so sure that extends to presbyters receiving converts.

I posted the link only in a direct response to the question. I’m not certain one way or the other if it could still be used, although I lean toward the negative.

I think the better option (if I may suggest) is to use the current RCIA but to make use of the legitimate option to shorten the rites. See RCIA number 336 and following.
 
marci said:
If it was 1950 and someone wanted to convert, how would it have been done?
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I hope you knew I was just kidding around. :o

As others have said usually they would meet with the pastor or another parish priest for private instruction and be Baptized or received on a Saturday morning with their family/friends only.
 
FrDavid96 said:
I’m not sure if the EF for reception of converts can be used or not. The Holy Father did say in article 9 that “ordinaries” can use the EF for Confirmation, but I’m not so sure that extends to presbyters receiving converts.

I posted the link only in a direct response to the question. I’m not certain one way or the other if it could still be used, although I lean toward the negative.
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The mention of “ordinaries” seems to me to be perfectly normal and unremarkable, since the ordinary minister of confirmation in the Roman Rite is the local Ordinary (or his legate).

Anyway, I lean toward the positive since the “old” Ritual can be used for Baptism (as well as for the other Sacraments – even ordinations have been done according to the “old” books).

That said, though, the question is academic at this point since it’s not clear if the OP is even interested in the EF.
 
FrDavid96 said:
Marci,
There is really no such thing as “valid or invalid” RCIA rites. The sacraments themselves (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) have to be valid, of course, but the entire RCIA program itself is a tool for the pastor (first, bishop as pastor of the diocese, and secondly parish pastor) to use. Pastors are free (and strongly encouraged) to make use of it, but aren’t strictly required to do so. Please don’t read too much into that. My point here is that the RCIA itself can be adapted by your pastor to suit the particular needs of your husband–but you’ll have to talk directly to the pastor about this. I suggest not going to an RCIA director or DRE or other person, but to the pastor directly.

Is the priest you know a parish pastor? If so, that helps.
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Yes, he is. We no longer attend this parish because we moved about 45 miles away, but it’s the parish I grew up in and my children were all baptized there. Although we no longer attend, my parents still do and our family is still very close to him. He is Columbian and a very Holy priest, we love him to pieces! He gives the best homilies ever!
 
marci said:
Yes, he is. We no longer attend this parish because we moved about 45 miles away, but it’s the parish I grew up in and my children were all baptized there. Although we no longer attend, my parents still do and our family is still very close to him. He is Columbian and a very Holy priest, we love him to pieces! He gives the best homilies ever!
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First of all, you should speak with your own pastor. If he’s unwilling to make reasonable accomodations for your husband, I’ll give you the rest of the information. Right now, I’m holding it back because you should first speak to your pastor. Again, not DRE, not RCIA director or anyone else, but the pastor.
 
FrDavid96 said:
First of all, you should speak with your own pastor. If he’s unwilling to make reasonable accomodations for your husband, I’ll give you the rest of the information. Right now, I’m holding it back because you should first speak to your pastor. Again, not DRE, not RCIA director or anyone else, but the pastor.
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I appriciate all of your help, but he would NEVER make that exception. It is a large parish and fairly modern. Basically if it’s not done with “the community” then it’s not done. We are trying to find another parish, but they are all pretty much the same where we live. There is a parish in town that offers a weekly Latin Mass which I want to start going to, but I thought that would be more difficult for him to ease into.

I understand where you are coming from, but I have been burned before (long story–homeschool vs. catechism classes). Sometimes when you ask for “special privlages” you don’t just get told no, you start a new rule and ruin it for everyone (not to mention get some people in trouble)

I often offer my sufferings up for his conversion. I regularly offer rosaries and during the Consecration I pray for his conversion. I know it will happen some day.🙂
 
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