I was responding to your post. I was trying to understand what the problem is. Normally, if you have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all you have to do to get right again is to go to Confession - no matter how long you have been away. So, since you had so many questions, I was wondering if there was another issue.To who?
There certainly is such a “system” in place. It is called adult confirmation classes. If your parish does not have adult confirmation inquire with the pastor about starting it.This is why I have been so frustrated attempting RCIA. I came across this while reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If one cant get hold of a priest, you are doomed in ‘the system’. Why is there no system in place to help reverting Catholics if it is spelled out in the CCC that they should not be subjected to RCIA?
Some places require classes, not necessarily RCIA but formal classes nevertheless, before confirmation.Confusing situation.
Reverts are not candidates or catechumens, they are Catholics who have been away for awhile. The simple answer would be to go to confession and begin your journey back.
**I am not aware that confirmation requires RCIA. That is news to me. **
All that being said, RCIA is a great process to be part of as a team member (if it is done well). I am cradle Catholic but have learned a lot about the faith by helping out with the RCIA process. I wish the Church would emphasize the need for continuing education for cradle Catholics. Most converts know the faith a lot better than the average cradle Catholic who has never gone past high school religion class.
The above instructions do not apply in other countries.This is why I have been so frustrated attempting RCIA. I came across this while reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If one cant get hold of a priest, you are doomed in ‘the system’. Why is there no system in place to help reverting Catholics if it is spelled out in the CCC that they should not be subjected to RCIA?
catholic.com/documents/how-to-become-a-catholic
“Those who have already been baptized in another church or ecclesial community should not be treated as catechumens or so designated. Their doctrinal and spiritual preparation for reception into full Catholic communion should be determined according to the individual case, that is, it should depend on the extent to which the baptized person has led a Christian life within a community of faith and been appropriately catechized to deepen his or her inner adherence to the Church” (NSC 30).
For those who were baptized but who have never been instructed in the Christian faith or lived as Christians, it is appropriate for them to receive much of the same instruction in the faith as catechumens, but they are still not catechumens and are not to be referred to as such (NSC 3). As a result, they are not to participate in the rites intended for catechumens, such as the scrutinies. Even “[t]he rites of presentation of the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the book of the Gospels are not proper except for those who have received no Christian instruction and formation” (NSC 31).
For those who have been instructed in the Christian faith and have lived as Christians, the situation is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, **“Those baptized persons who have lived as Christians and need only instruction in the Catholic tradition and a degree of probation within the Catholic community should not be asked to undergo a full program parallel to the catechumenate” (NSC 31). For this reason, they should not share in the same, full RCIA programs that catechumens do. **
The timing of their reception into the Church also is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, "It is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptism, possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism celebrated in another church or ecclesial community . . . " (NSC 33).
Rather than being received on Easter Vigil, “[t]he reception of candidates into the communion of the Catholic Church should ordinarily take place at the Sunday Eucharist of the parish community, in such a way that it is understood that they are indeed Christian believers who have already shared in the sacramental life of the Church and are now welcomed into the Catholic Eucharistic community . . .” (NSC 32).
O.K., now that I know a little of your situation, I would say that you are going to have to be aggressive. Go directly to the church office and tell them you are going to stay there until the priest gives you at least ten minutes of his time. You should be able to explain your desire and your special circumstance and ask his help in that time. Just skip all the stuff about your personal grievances with the staff, etc., as this may make him defensive. Remember, he is human too and if you start off accusing him and the staff of neglect, he may get " his back up." And if he still refuses to help go to the chancery itself.This is why I have been so frustrated attempting RCIA. I came across this while reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If one cant get hold of a priest, you are doomed in ‘the system’. Why is there no system in place to help reverting Catholics if it is spelled out in the CCC that they should not be subjected to RCIA?
catholic.com/documents/how-to-become-a-catholic
“Those who have already been baptized in another church or ecclesial community should not be treated as catechumens or so designated. Their doctrinal and spiritual preparation for reception into full Catholic communion should be determined according to the individual case, that is, it should depend on the extent to which the baptized person has led a Christian life within a community of faith and been appropriately catechized to deepen his or her inner adherence to the Church” (NSC 30).
For those who were baptized but who have never been instructed in the Christian faith or lived as Christians, it is appropriate for them to receive much of the same instruction in the faith as catechumens, but they are still not catechumens and are not to be referred to as such (NSC 3). As a result, they are not to participate in the rites intended for catechumens, such as the scrutinies. Even “[t]he rites of presentation of the creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the book of the Gospels are not proper except for those who have received no Christian instruction and formation” (NSC 31).
For those who have been instructed in the Christian faith and have lived as Christians, the situation is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, **“Those baptized persons who have lived as Christians and need only instruction in the Catholic tradition and a degree of probation within the Catholic community should not be asked to undergo a full program parallel to the catechumenate” (NSC 31). For this reason, they should not share in the same, full RCIA programs that catechumens do. **
The timing of their reception into the Church also is different. The U.S. Conference of Bishops states, "It is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptism, possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism celebrated in another church or ecclesial community . . . " (NSC 33).
Rather than being received on Easter Vigil, “[t]he reception of candidates into the communion of the Catholic Church should ordinarily take place at the Sunday Eucharist of the parish community, in such a way that it is understood that they are indeed Christian believers who have already shared in the sacramental life of the Church and are now welcomed into the Catholic Eucharistic community . . .” (NSC 32).
You’ve been away for decades, why do you need an immediate appointment with the Paris priest? Can you not just wait until the Confessional day and time and just go to Confession?So, we fall through the cracks, we are but nothing…several times over the course of 3 decades I have tried to get back. Part of that estrangement was the way I was treated as a teenager (18) who was on her way back to church after my parents stopped taking me. I got no response from the priest, the parish, the convent connected to the parish or even the school. I went to mass, I called, I showed up at the office. No response. I didnt lose faith in God, just in the church. Now I’ve been in the desert for 42yrs. Do I go to the cathedral? I’ve got my certificates now (baptism/1st holy communion), my 42yr old children’s missal/rosary…or do I just give up?
This is one of my pet peeves.Note: Catechetical classes and RCIA are not the same thing. RCIA includes catechesis, but is more than catechesis.
Brendan the OP was married outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation (a defect of form situation), and her marriage needs to be convalidated. She needs to meet with the priest for that to happen. She cannot receive the Eucharist until that happens.You’ve been away for decades, why do you need an immediate appointment with the Paris priest? Can you not just wait until the Confessional day and time and just go to Confession?
Why do you need any programme?You’ve been baptised and done your First Holy Communion. Why do you need to be received back through some sort of programme?
What’s wrong with just finding out when the Confession times are and turn up at Confession? That’s what I did when I came back. I think I made the priest’s day when I walked into the Confessional and told him everything.
Once a Catholic, always a Catholic. That is the Church’s position. You don’t need RCIA, you ARE a Catholic. You’re just a Catholic who hasn’t been to Mass or Confession for a very long time.
You don’t need a special reception, induction process, or ‘welcome home’ ceremony. All you need to do is turn up at Confession, tell the priest your situation, confess your sins and receive absolution, and you’re set. Why complicate things?
This is a very good point. We are all on a faith journey, everyone at different points. Bringing people into the Church is where the rubber meets the road. One does not have to be a candidate or catechumen to benefit from RCIA.This is one of my pet peeves.
Adults who are not baptized, adult Christian converts to Catholicism, Catholics who have not been fully initiated, and fully initiated Catholics who wish to know more about their Faith can all benefit from the same Catechetical classes. But attending such a class does not necessarily imply that one is going through the the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults. And yet when most people hear “RCIA” their first thought is of the instruction classes on Tuesday night in room 6 of the parish hall.
Sadly, many parishes perpetuate this misunderstanding.
Going to try thisOP, mail a letter addressed to your pastor. Tell him you would like to be able to receive the Eucharist once again and that you need to meet with him as soon as possible about convalidating your marriage. Explain your multiple unsuccessful attempts to schedule an appointment with him. List the general time frames and days you are available to meet with him. Provide your phone numbers, email address and mailing address.
Make a copy of your letter. If there’s no response in ten days, re-send the letter, with a short note stating that you have not yet received a response to your request for an appointment. If there’s no response in another ten days, then phone the Vicar General of the diocese and calmly ask him to intervene on your behalf. You will probably hear from the parish office soon after that.
The RCIA probram in our parish is open to anyone that wants to learn more about the Catholic Faith. Those who want to learn more about their Catholic Faith give support to the Catechumins as well as learn lots. God Bless, MemawI have been told RCIA is for converts, those who just want to learn more about the Catholic Church which includes current Catholics or anyone else who wants to learn. This is what I have seen on multiple web pages (Catholic pages) and have been told by priests.