RCIA enquiry

[gryffen]

Hello everyone!

Ok, bit of a long story but can you shed some light on things for me.

I was christened Protestant and my husband is Catholic.

We married in a beautiful full catholic mass in a beautiful chapel close to where we live and it is somewere very special to me as they are so welcoming and the place is very basic but has such a warm atmosphere.

When i first met Paul 4yrs ago (another long but good story), i started going to mass with him and his grandad which i enjoyed as i love learning and experiencing new things. When he asked me to marry him i made my decision there and then that i would convert and join this amazing community.

So last year, after all the paperwork for the dispensation was completed, we married and finally next week i will be starting the RCIA (Roman Catholics in Action as our priest calls it!).

I am so looking forward to this occasion for many diffrent reasons, mainly we have one heck of a guardian angel (been in 3 car crashes in 2yrs!) and we both survived intact; an secondly i cant explain exactly - a calling to join a bigger family?

It really dawned on me to do this after an uncle of mine publically disowned me for marrying a catholic, which was a heck of a shock as i was brought up with no prejudices against other faiths!

Ive had a look through the forums and i know this has been asked/answered so many times -

Can you guide me along the process of what the RCIA involves?

I know some RCIA’s are diffrent (im scotland) but in the end the process leads to the same beautiful ending.

Any help is appreciated!

Gayle

 

[lentos99]

Hello Gryffen and welcome to Catholic Answers!

The best place to find information about the RCIA process is your home parish. But if you are anxious to learn more here are a couple of web sites you can check out:

rcia.co.nr/ and wikipedia

Peace

 

[Trishie]

Gayle, I’m delighted that you wish to beome Catholic. Welcome!

My husband enjoyed the RCIA process and I pray that like many others you will find it a great experience of community and inspiration.

God bless you, Trishie

 

[gryffen]

Hi everyone!

Thank you for your kind wishes and welcomes…much appreciated!

I spoke to our priest on sunday there and i only realised the RCIA began in september after my mum reminded me to ask him.

At that mass he didnt announce it as i am the only non catholic there and he didnt want to make me uncomfortable…i told him not to be silly and since everyone in the chapel came to the wedding…they already knew and i am ribbed weekly for it but in a really good way!

Father Neil told me to come up when everyone was getting communion and just to cross my arms like St.Andrews cross and ill be blessed before starting the RCIA (which i thought was a good idea…ive been told i need as much help as i can get lol)

I am curious though - is the RCIA process diffrent in other countries, or is it generally the same as we are under the same faith?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Gayle

 

[pippin]

In the US RCIA is somewhat different in each parish. Some parishes dismiss the Catacumins (unbaptized) after the Liturgy of the Word for instruction, ours does not. In our parish instruction is given on a weekday evening. There are different textbooks that can be used. The process is still the same though, with a rite of election, three scrutnies during Lent, and reception of the Sacraments on Holy Saturday.

 

[puzzleannie]

Welcome home!

best advice is to take things as they come, the people in your parish have spent a lot of time and effort to plan for you to learn what you need, when you need it, without overwhelming you. Pray, have patience, trust in the Lord, don’t try to rush things. And Ask Questions! that makes the process work.