RCIA: Is it absolutely necessary?

[Jennifer02]

I know RCIA is a process which takes a year for someone to become a Catholic and of course they go through Communion, Confirmation, etc. But if someone at the moment just wants baptism and they do have faith, is RCIA really necessary?

 

[palmas85]

Jennifer02:

I know RCIA is a process which takes a year for someone to become a Catholic and of course they go through Communion, Confirmation, etc. But if someone at the moment just wants baptism and they do have faith, is RCIA really necessary?

If all you want is a baptism you can go to almost any protestant church and get baptized at almost any time. There is a Lutheran church here in San Diego that baptizes twice a month and a local evangelical group baptizes every Wednesday and Sunady.

But if you want an Catholic baptism you have to go through the whole process.

 

[LilyM]

palmas85:

If all you want is a baptism you can go to almost any protestant church and get baptized at almost any time. There is a Lutheran church here in San Diego that baptizes twice a month and a local evangelical group baptizes every Wednesday and Sunady.

But if you want an Catholic baptism you have to go through the whole process.

Interesting point - is this ‘someone’ you’re asking for yourself? If so why the insistence on being baptised Catholic if you’re not sure you want to receive any of the other Catholic sacraments?

As palmas said, a Lutheran Anglican or other Christian baptism using water and the Trinitarian formula (“in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit”) is valid in the Catholic church as well.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Jennifer02:

I know RCIA is a process which takes a year for someone to become a Catholic and of course they go through Communion, Confirmation, etc. But if someone at the moment just wants baptism and they do have faith, is RCIA really necessary?

No of course RCIA is not for them, they are not ready. If they do not have Faith they are in the “Pre-Catechumenate” The stage of Inquiry before a person actually enters the Catechumenate stage through the Rite of Acceptance. Many people will spend anywhere from 6 weeks to sometimes 6 months in this stage before moving on to the next.

 

[Brendan]

And a priest could not licitly (legally) offer Baptism only to a person over 7 years of age.

Church Law and Apostolic Practice require that those above the age of reason recieve Confirmation as well.

 

[Harpazo]

Hello all. Not sure if I’m remembered around here, but I don’t post frequently, but browse. I’m 17 and I live in the “Bible Belt.” Some of the discussions are too intellectual . Aside from that I have a serious question to ask.

Anyways, I was convinced by the Grace of God that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church in February of this past year. Since March, I have been attending Mass each and every week. Ever since that February, I have labeled myself as Catholic, but not “official” Catholic.

I studied doctrine, dogma, beliefs and why, etc. I’ve listened to as much apologetics info as I could get my hands on. I purchased a Catechism months ago, along with a New American Bible. I agree with every single teaching and practice of the Faith. In fact, I try to witness my faith to the hardcore evangelicals at my school and I pray the rosary almost daily (as well as ask intercession from the Saints). I was baptized into Christianity, but as a Protestant (United Methodist to be exact).

If I’m convicted enough about Catholicism, and have no doubt that it’s Christ’s Church, believe the Eucharist to be the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord, and every Catholic belief, is it still necessary for me to go through RCIA? It started at my parish this past week, and it’s a very small class. Many of the people in there are completely unsure, and just exploring. I, on the other hand, am not.

I’ve heard that one can bypass RCIA if one meets certain qualifications and such. Please help me out with this, if at all possible. I will appreciate advice and prayers.

In Pax Christi
Andrew

 

[Andruschak]

I’ve heard that one can bypass RCIA if one meets certain qualifications and such. Please help me out with this, if at all possible. I will appreciate advice and prayers.

In Pax Christi
Andrew

I’ve read that too, but here in Los Angeles the Churches insist on sticking us Candidates in with the Catechumans. So I am looking forward to how others answer your question

 

[lel]

I’ve heard of some bypassing the RCIA process in other churches. I just sought out the most interesting and informative RCIA program I could find. It’s basic, but I’m still on my toes and learning!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello all. Not sure if I’m remembered around here, but I don’t post frequently, but browse. I’m 17 and I live in the “Bible Belt.” Some of the discussions are too intellectual . Aside from that I have a serious question to ask.

Anyways, I was convinced by the Grace of God that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church in February of this past year. Since March, I have been attending Mass each and every week. Ever since that February, I have labeled myself as Catholic, but not “official” Catholic.

I studied doctrine, dogma, beliefs and why, etc. I’ve listened to as much apologetics info as I could get my hands on. I purchased a Catechism months ago, along with a New American Bible. I agree with every single teaching and practice of the Faith. In fact, I try to witness my faith to the hardcore evangelicals at my school and I pray the rosary almost daily (as well as ask intercession from the Saints). I was baptized into Christianity, but as a Protestant (United Methodist to be exact).

If I’m convicted enough about Catholicism, and have no doubt that it’s Christ’s Church, believe the Eucharist to be the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord, and every Catholic belief, is it still necessary for me to go through RCIA? It started at my parish this past week, and it’s a very small class. Many of the people in there are completely unsure, and just exploring. I, on the other hand, am not.

I’ve heard that one can bypass RCIA if one meets certain qualifications and such. Please help me out with this, if at all possible. I will appreciate advice and prayers.

In Pax Christi
Andrew

IF you are not Baptized RCIA is basically they only option for you.

If you are validly Baptized the you belong in a shorter “RCIA like” process and do not have to wait until Easter Vigil to enter into the Church.

What you describe at your parish is the Inquiry period or “Pre-Catechumenate” it is the step prior to RCIA.

 

[puzzleannie]

I know RCIA is a process which takes a year for someone to become a Catholic and of course they go through Communion, Confirmation, etc. But if someone at the moment just wants baptism and they do have faith, is RCIA really necessary?

yes an unbaptized adult (this is anyone over the age of reason, about 7 yrs old) is prepared for and receives Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion in one ceremony, at the Easter Vigil, unless for a grave reason it must be done at another time, but always in the context of a Sunday Mass (unless the person is in danger of death). The priest who baptizes has the faculty to confirm and must confirm. the statutes are quite clear on that. they should also celebrate the mandatory rites that punctuate the process, and are strongly urged to celebrate the optional rites.

What is less clear is the nature and length of time for the preparation. The statutes state (if you really need them I will get citations when I get to work) that the process should take at least one year, from right after Easter to the following Easter (they say nothing about a school-year timetable). they further state that the process is primarily one of conversion and for some catechuments may take years.

What does vary and can be accomplished in many ways is the type of catechesis, who does it, where it is done, and what it consists of. You are free to find a parish where the process is done in a way that meets your needs. Your first step should be contacting the pastor directly and discussing your situation. let him refer you to the RCIA director or team.

 

[m134e5]

I know RCIA is a process which takes a year for someone to become a Catholic and of course they go through Communion, Confirmation, etc. But if someone at the moment just wants baptism and they do have faith, is RCIA really necessary?

Most RCIA programs I’ve heard of only last about 8 months- from around September until Easter, or maybe Pentecost.

There is more to joining the Church than wanting baptism and having faith. You have to know what you’re getting into- you don’t want to join something then fall away from it later. You need instruction in what the Church teaches and why. Also, you need spiritual formation in the faith- and that can only come with time (though some places will allow converts who have already been baptized after some personal instruction with the priest, or if they have been found to know all they supposedly need to know already, but I don’t think going that way is a good idea- you just get Baptists with a Catholic Bible, the Pope, and the Sacraments when you go about things like that).

 

[Andruschak]

IF you are not Baptized RCIA is basically they only option for you.

If you are validly Baptized the you belong in a shorter “RCIA like” process and do not have to wait until Easter Vigil to enter into the Church.

What you describe at your parish is the Inquiry period or “Pre-Catechumenate” it is the step prior to RCIA.

See and read the link in my signature. In theory, persons like me validly baptized are supposed to have a different program from the unbaptized. In theory. At least, that is what the US Bishops wanted. As far as I can tell, NOBODY has paid any attention to the US Bishops. Apples are treated like Oranges and that includes the easter Vigil.

So, Saint Philomena Church in carson, california will insist I be baptized, in spite of my being baptized Church Of England

Nobody, and that seems to be NOBODY, gives a squat as to how the US Bishops wanted validly baptized Christians to be admitted to the Church

 

[Intercessor55]

Why would you not want to take the year and learn? I can’t even go to RCIA because the Catholic Church here says you can only come if you’re SURE you want to be a Catholic. I think I’m sure until I have a question , or something a Catholic says scares me . And on baptism, the Priest here told me that my baptism was valid, i.e., in the name of the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, so I don’t need to be re-baptized to be a Catholic.

Intercessor55

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Why would you not want to take the year and learn? I can’t even go to RCIA because the Catholic Church here says you can only come if you’re SURE you want to be a Catholic. I think I’m sure until I have a question , or something a Catholic says scares me . And on baptism, the Priest here told me that my baptism was valid, i.e., in the name of the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, so I don’t need to be re-baptized to be a Catholic.

Intercessor55

You should be able to go to INQUIRY as long as you wish and then when ready to commit to being a Candidate you go through the Rite of Welcome.

 

[Light_Seeker]

I can’t even go to RCIA because the Catholic Church here says you can only come if you’re SURE you want to be a Catholic.

Something is not right here. At all.

The first period of RCIA is for interested adults to explore Catholicism to determine if they want to continue. Inquirers can leave at any time during the RCIA process if they desire, there should never be any pressure to continue. Actually, inquirers are asked at certain points if they desire to continue. How could anyone possibly know they want to become Catholic if they don’t know what that means ???

Please confirm this info …or find another parish.

 

[Intercessor55]

It was the Priest who told me not to come unless I’m serious about being Catholic. I agree with you…How are you going to know if you don’t have the information you need to make an informed decision???

There is another “parish” (?) about 15 miles away.

Thanks.

 

[rayne89]

It was the Priest who told me not to come unless I’m serious about being Catholic. I agree with you…How are you going to know if you don’t have the information you need to make an informed decision???

There is another “parish” (?) about 15 miles away.

Thanks.

I see you are from Ann Arbor. I poked around a bit on the web and noticed there are least 4 Catholic parishes in Ann Arbor. I found this one which talks about the RCIA program on it’s home page as an “inquiry”. They also have a nice video on their home page. I don’t know where this is as far as location to you but I thought I’d pass it along.
stfrancisa2.com/welcome.htm

 

[Saint_Gemma]

I have a question. Because my situation is so unusual (I am the minor daughter of two non-catholics), I am being given individual instruction with a nun. I will receive the sacraments in only two months because I have already studied so much. Is this allowed?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have a question. Because my situation is so unusual (I am the minor daughter of two non-catholics), I am being given individual instruction with a nun. I will receive the sacraments in only two months because I have already studied so much. Is this allowed?

Private instruction is an extraordinary option. But not because of anything you have stated. If you are over 7 years old and are not Baptized yet you should be in RCIA geared for a person your age, but still the same process and still the same Rites as the adults. If over 16 you should be in the regular RCIA process. If already Baptized and between 14 and 16 it is possible that you are simply being catechized for First Holy Communion and Confirmation as any other young person would be. But I would think that you would be in the Confirmation class with the others your age, not in private instruction. Your readiness is based on you and you Sprirtual readiness. I hope you have a Sponsor who is also helping you along.

 

[Sr_Sally]

I’ve heard that one can bypass RCIA if one meets certain qualifications and such. Please help me out with this, if at all possible. I will appreciate advice and prayers.

In Pax Christi
Andrew

RCIA is a tool that the church users to help people who want to learn about the church and Christianity. Originally RCIA was designed for unchurched people (way back when they were known as pagans), now it is commonly used for any adult who wants to join the Catholic church.

However, a baptized, practicing Christian does not HAVE to go through RCIA. Most parishes ask them to because it is easier for the parish and the priests that way. However, you can also come into the church after private instruction. That is how my dh did it.

You’d do best to talk to the priest at the parish you are attending. Perhaps he’ll ask you to attend RCIA or perhaps after some meetings, he’ll decide that you are ready. It is up to the priest. In the same way, adult converts do not have to enter the church at Easter.