RCIA for Cathecumens and Candidates

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vince2paul

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I’m sorry if this has been asked before, but

How to differentiate the RCIA for cathecumens and candidates? I’ve been thinking about it since my parish doesn’t differentiate the lesson for both. It might have been useless for the candidates who knows about Christianity well. So I just want to find out the different between the two.

I’ll appreciate any help! 🙂 Thanks
 
vince2paul said:
I’m sorry if this has been asked before, but

How to differentiate the RCIA for cathecumens and candidates? I’ve been thinking about it since my parish doesn’t differentiate the lesson for both. It might have been useless for the candidates who knows about Christianity well. So I just want to find out the different between the two.

I’ll appreciate any help! 🙂 Thanks
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are you asking as someone who is responsible for coordinating the RCIA program, or as someone who is participating? If the latter I respectfully suggest that you ask the person in charge why things are done this way in your parish. There are probably very good reasons, usually having to do with the available people and resources. There are also very good reasons within the Rites, namely that the baptized Christians, both the Catholic sponsors who are parishioners already, and the Christian candidates in the group, are also there to witness and mentor the non-baptized. It is not useless for the candidates to be there, it is eminently useful. RCIA is above all a journey we take together, even though we all began from different starting places, once we gather we are journeying together (I think Canterbury Tales is a good analogy).

If you mean, the catechumens and candidates are celebrating the same rites, that is an abuse, and the issue should be raised with the pastor.

by the “class” do you mean the catechetical portion, or the “breaking open the Word” with the Sunday scripture, or both? In the scripture portion, the (name removed by moderator)ut of already baptized Christians, who often are very well versed in scripture, is invaluable in the discussion. It also provides a chance for the catechist to gently correct interpretations they may have picked up from various non-Catholic sources which are in fact erroneous or differ from Catholic teaching. In the catechetical portion, where doctrine is presented, it is usually, in my experience, the more knowledgeable Christian candidates who have the most questions, and request deeper, more thorough instruction.

Everyone’s needs are different, and it is impossible to insure that everyone will get it all, but we are doing our best, I assure you.
 
vince2paul said:
I’m sorry if this has been asked before, but

How to differentiate the RCIA for cathecumens and candidates? I’ve been thinking about it since my parish doesn’t differentiate the lesson for both. It might have been useless for the candidates who knows about Christianity well. So I just want to find out the different between the two.

I’ll appreciate any help! 🙂 Thanks
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong with the two groups coming together for a combined lesson. They should start and end as two separate groups and all liturgical recognition and Rites MUST be distinct to each group.
 
puzzleannie said:
are you asking as someone who is responsible for coordinating the RCIA program, or as someone who is participating? If the latter I respectfully suggest that you ask the person in charge why things are done this way in your parish. There are probably very good reasons, usually having to do with the available people and resources. There are also very good reasons within the Rites, namely that the baptized Christians, both the Catholic sponsors who are parishioners already, and the Christian candidates in the group, are also there to witness and mentor the non-baptized. It is not useless for the candidates to be there, it is eminently useful. RCIA is above all a journey we take together, even though we all began from different starting places, once we gather we are journeying together (I think Canterbury Tales is a good analogy).

If you mean, the catechumens and candidates are celebrating the same rites, that is an abuse, and the issue should be raised with the pastor.

by the “class” do you mean the catechetical portion, or the “breaking open the Word” with the Sunday scripture, or both? In the scripture portion, the (name removed by moderator)ut of already baptized Christians, who often are very well versed in scripture, is invaluable in the discussion. It also provides a chance for the catechist to gently correct interpretations they may have picked up from various non-Catholic sources which are in fact erroneous or differ from Catholic teaching. In the catechetical portion, where doctrine is presented, it is usually, in my experience, the more knowledgeable Christian candidates who have the most questions, and request deeper, more thorough instruction.

Everyone’s needs are different, and it is impossible to insure that everyone will get it all, but we are doing our best, I assure you.
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Sorry for not making myself clear, I was rushing for mass. I mean the weekly session. I almost became a sponsor this year, but I decided not to since young people weren’t very respected, wait few more years 😃 . From my experience in RCIA, it was quite worrying, in fact, the inquirers were very quiet and the sponsors were more outspoken and asking about Catholic Faith. There was once when a sponsor said that non-Catholic were condemned to hell. :eek: So I explained to her the Catholic view on this matter.

Btw, are there any parish who separate this two groups for their weekly session? If yes, what is the material for the candidates? Will it be more on the doctrinal/scripture interpretation?
 
vince2paul said:
Sorry for not making myself clear, I was rushing for mass. I mean the weekly session. I almost became a sponsor this year, but I decided not to since young people weren’t very respected, wait few more years 😃 . From my experience in RCIA, it was quite worrying, in fact, the inquirers were very quiet and the sponsors were more outspoken and asking about Catholic Faith. There was once when a sponsor said that non-Catholic were condemned to hell. :eek: So I explained to her the Catholic view on this matter.

Btw, are there any parish who separate this two groups for their weekly session? If yes, what is the material for the candidates? Will it be more on the doctrinal/scripture interpretation?
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Here is an outline for Catechumens and Candidates. Remember that the Candidates are not usually in formation for an entire year. Which is why the cover 27 - 50 and Catechumens who are in formation for an full year cover 1 - 50.

Christian topics for the Catechumenate:
  1. The Journey
  2. God/ Who is God?, The Trinity, The Incarnation
  3. Christology
  4. The Holy Spirit
  5. OT Salvation history
  6. Divine Revelation (Scripture and Sacred Tradition)
  7. The 10 Commandments
  8. Magisterium (Catechism and Church documents)
  9. The Creeds
  10. Prayer/ Prayer styles
  11. Grace/ Virtues
  12. The Sacraments (in general)
  13. The Mass (up to dismissal)
  14. Open Q&A
  15. The Life of Christ ( the Gospel message)
  16. Beatitudes
  17. Stewardship
  18. Seven deadly sins
  19. Morality
  20. The Our Father
  21. The New Testament story
  22. History of the “Early” Church
  23. Primacy of Peter
  24. History of the Bible, The Gospels
  25. The Liturgical cycle
  26. Open Q&A
*. Lent
*. Christmas season

Catholic Beliefs and Practices for both the later Catechumenate and Candidates:
  1. The Journey
  2. Catholic devotions and sacramentals (Stations of the Cross, Rosary)
  3. Rites, (Welcome, Acceptance, Election, Vigil)
  4. Liturgy (The complete Mass, liturgical prayer)
  5. Communion of Saints
  6. Mary
  7. Open Q&A
  8. Structure of the Catholic Church
  9. Church history
  10. The Eucharist
  11. Baptism, Confirmation
  12. Marriage, Holy Orders
  13. Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
  14. Precepts of the Church
  15. Organization of the Catholic Church
  16. Religious orders
  17. Doctors and Fathers of the Church
  18. Catholic social teaching
  19. Eschatology (Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory)
  20. Open Q&A
  21. Ecumenism
  22. Retreats, Pilgrimages, Shrines, Monasteries
  23. Catholic Organizations and Apostolates
  24. Angels
 
I just finished RCIA and joined the Church in April. I was non-baptized but we were in the same weekly classes with the baptized. It worked out well because several of us were very schooled in Christianity, we were just from “branches” that didn’t have an emphasis on baptism. There is no need to separate them, really. Because even those raised in a church don’t really understand Christianity from a Catholic perspective.
 
In my RCIA class we were all combined (actually, in my class of 12, 6 were already baptized Catholics). I actually think that everyone seemed to be on the same level as far as knowledge of the Church was concerned. The biggest reason I think I did know more about the doctrines and the Sacraments than my classmates had more to do with the fact that I study theology than anything else (although I do think my background growing up helped).

I don’t see anything wrong with combining the catechetical portion of RCIA. I actually think it worked out well in my particular group. We didn’t do Breaking Open of the Word (which for many reasons I wasn’t too upset about…), so we didn’t have the issue of combining for that portion. I don’t know of any parishes that separate the two groups for the catechetical portion of RCIA, but if they do they must have the resources to do so (and from what I’ve heard, very few can really do that).
 
THutch04 said:
In my RCIA class we were all combined (actually, in my class of 12, 6 were already baptized Catholics). I actually think that everyone seemed to be on the same level as far as knowledge of the Church was concerned. The biggest reason I think I did know more about the doctrines and the Sacraments than my classmates had more to do with the fact that I study theology than anything else (although I do think my background growing up helped).

I don’t see anything wrong with combining the catechetical portion of RCIA. I actually think it worked out well in my particular group. We didn’t do Breaking Open of the Word (which for many reasons I wasn’t too upset about…), so we didn’t have the issue of combining for that portion. I don’t know of any parishes that separate the two groups for the catechetical portion of RCIA, but if they do they must have the resources to do so (and from what I’ve heard, very few can really do that).
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Why do baptised Catholics join RCIA?
Sorry for my ignorance, but I think I want to join too, seems fun. 😃
 
Are you sure? It seems a lot and interesting! 😃

10 commandments, salvation history, christology, primacy of peter etc, I amn’t even taught abt this before. I only know that I’ll need to study salvation history and christology when if I take theology major hehe…
Br.Rich_SFO said:
Here is an outline for Catechumens and Candidates. Remember that the Candidates are not usually in formation for an entire year. Which is why the cover 27 - 50 and Catechumens who are in formation for an full year cover 1 - 50.

Christian topics for the Catechumenate:
  1. The Journey
  2. God/ Who is God?, The Trinity, The Incarnation
  3. Christology
  4. The Holy Spirit
  5. OT Salvation history
  6. Divine Revelation (Scripture and Sacred Tradition)
  7. The 10 Commandments
  8. Magisterium (Catechism and Church documents)
  9. The Creeds
  10. Prayer/ Prayer styles
  11. Grace/ Virtues
  12. The Sacraments (in general)
  13. The Mass (up to dismissal)
  14. Open Q&A
  15. The Life of Christ ( the Gospel message)
  16. Beatitudes
  17. Stewardship
  18. Seven deadly sins
  19. Morality
  20. The Our Father
  21. The New Testament story
  22. History of the “Early” Church
  23. Primacy of Peter
  24. History of the Bible, The Gospels
  25. The Liturgical cycle
  26. Open Q&A
*. Lent
*. Christmas season

Catholic Beliefs and Practices for both the later Catechumenate and Candidates:
  1. The Journey
  2. Catholic devotions and sacramentals (Stations of the Cross, Rosary)
  3. Rites, (Welcome, Acceptance, Election, Vigil)
  4. Liturgy (The complete Mass, liturgical prayer)
  5. Communion of Saints
  6. Mary
  7. Open Q&A
  8. Structure of the Catholic Church
  9. Church history
  10. The Eucharist
  11. Baptism, Confirmation
  12. Marriage, Holy Orders
  13. Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
  14. Precepts of the Church
  15. Organization of the Catholic Church
  16. Religious orders
  17. Doctors and Fathers of the Church
  18. Catholic social teaching
  19. Eschatology (Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory)
  20. Open Q&A
  21. Ecumenism
  22. Retreats, Pilgrimages, Shrines, Monasteries
  23. Catholic Organizations and Apostolates
  24. Angels
Click to expand...
 
vince2paul said:
Why do baptised Catholics join RCIA?
Sorry for my ignorance, but I think I want to join too, seems fun. 😃
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In their situation it was that they had been baptized Catholic but didn’t receive the rest of the Sacraments of Initiation like the Eucharist and Confirmation. That’s probably not the ideal situation, but it seemed to be the only options they had, as adult Confirmation classes aren’t held here.
 
vince2paul said:
Why do baptised Catholics join RCIA?
Sorry for my ignorance, but I think I want to join too, seems fun. 😃
Click to expand...
if they have been confirmed they may participate as sponsors for the catechumens, as representatives of the parish who draw them into community life and model Catholic living. If they have not been confirmed, or even made first communion, they are preparing for those sacraments because they are essentially uncatechized, and have many of the same questions, issues and need to learn as the others in the class. from my experience in this parish, it makes no sense to have separate classes, because one) we have had only 2 adult baptisms in my time here, but dozens of baptized Christians entering the Church, yet the majority of those in the class are still adult Catholics who need the other sacraments of initiation. We have found that the separation comes in the rites themselves and preparation for the actual rites. The catechesis and the scriptural instruction are the same, because their needs in these areas are very close. The baptized non-Catholics are invariably those with the best scripture knowledge, but are also those who have the hardest time struggling with issues, and letting go of erroneous scripture interpretations they have learned in the past.
and two) Sunday morning works out best for everyone, and there is no time, place or catechist for multiple classes all covering the same topics.
 
vince2paul said:
Are you sure? It seems a lot and interesting! :D.
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Remember that each is presented in an hour so it is not an in depth course. Christology is simply what does the Catholic Church believe and teach about Christ.
 
RCIA is basic training in Catholic 101, it is not a PhD theology course. It is the beginning, not the end, of the person’s Christian education and formation.
 
puzzleannie said:
RCIA is basic training in Catholic 101, it is not a PhD theology course. It is the beginning, not the end, of the person’s Christian education and formation.
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But it’s still good to get explanation. Well, maybe I’ll join the RCIA in the other parish which is conducted by a priest. 🙂
 
puzzleannie said:
RCIA is basic training in Catholic 101, it is not a PhD theology course. It is the beginning, not the end, of the person’s Christian education and formation.
Click to expand...
Each person had a Catechism, a solid Sponsor, the teams phone numbers and Email addresses if they had any other questions on the topic. We also generally hung around for at least an additional hour or more. It seemed that they didn’t want to leave, but wanted to keep talking about the topic that was presented. (I think that was a good sign)
 
Catechumens are unbaptised while candidates are those who were baptised licitly in another denomination but want to be received into the Church, in my understanding.
 
Greg27 said:
Catechumens are unbaptised while candidates are those who were baptised licitly in another denomination but want to be received into the Church, in my understanding.
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Thanks. Well, I was asking how to have different session for both groups as they may have different needs, such as the materials, etc. 🙂

But from this thread, it might not be necessary, I guess.
 
vince2paul said:
Why do baptised Catholics join RCIA?
Sorry for my ignorance, but I think I want to join too, seems fun. 😃
Click to expand...
The RCIA is not only for the unbaptized, but it’s for those baptized in other Christian traditions and for Catholics who are baptized but uncatechized and who haven’t been confirmed or received first Eucharist.

My parish allows any Catholic wanting to better understand the faith to join the sessions, although they’re not considered part of the RCIA.
 
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