RCIA - 'Private Course'?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rcuk
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I was baptized and confirmed in the episcopal church. I was frustrated when in my 50’s I was interested in converting and 2 of the parishes I went to were not very receptive and really did nothing to help me want to pursue joining the church that was in the late 1990’s. About 10 years later I tried again and went to a 3rd parish and it was a completely different experience. They were very receptive and wanted to help in anyway they could. I had private instruction from the RCIA instructor. She was wonderful. She met with me once a week for a little over 2 months. I studied to learn about catholicism before I met with her and once I was received I continued to learn more.
So I would visit different parishes and talk with their priests or RCIA directors.
 
That’s good news, 7, thank you. I’ll be contacting another parish shortly. This parish is very proud of its RCIA course, but not great to have to wait until Oct.
 
I think I started the end of april or first of may and was received into the church on july 15th.
 
Rcuk,
Alot of it may depend on how well your wife is already catechized when it comes to Christian teachings, Catholic or otherwise.

If she knows little about general Christian teachings, she may need a more lengthy instructional period.
 
Marie5890 said:
Rcuk,
Alot of it may depend on how well your wife is already catechized when it comes to Christian teachings, Catholic or otherwise.

If she knows little about general Christian teachings, she may need a more lengthy instructional period.
Click to expand...
Yes you are right. Granted the episcopal church is not the same as the catholic church but very very similar-I already was aware of the creeds and our holy communion service was structured very similar to the catholic mass. Of course I was taught about the Real Presence.
I had to learn about the magesterium and the Pope.
She would give me several pages on a topic to read and we would discuss it the following week. There is so much to learn and to grasp.
I was naive thinking the episcopal and catholic were almosr one in the dame but now I know that is far from true.
You need to be discerning. It is not as simple as studying to get your driver’s license! If you get private instruction you will not be received until they feel you are ready. It is a serious matter.
 
I wasn’t able to go back and edit but the word “dame” was meant to be
the word “same”.
 
I hope everyone is keeping in mind that the OP’s wife is not baptized. Her situation is far different from those who grew up in Christian homes.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
I hope everyone is keeping in mind that the OP’s wife is not baptized. Her situation is far different from those who grew up in Christian homes.
Click to expand...
I am. That is why I have tried to give a bit of a flag of caution if it doesnt unfold the way Rcuk hopes.

Patience may very well be the course of his wife’s coming into the church. Like 7 Sorrow’s says, this isnt like studying for one’s driver’s license.

In the end, the priest will be the one to decide when she is ready and what route would be the best. Considering she is unbaptized, normal course of path is thru RCIA.
 
I was just baptized, confirmed, and received the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil this year. I started attending Mass last Divine Mercy Sunday (more than a year ago now). I struggled at times with the desire to want to “hit the fast forward button”. If I were to fast track the process I would have missed too much. Look at it this way, you wouldn’t want someone to rush into a marriage. It takes time to build the love and trust. I NEEDED to wait all that time. I might be going through the motions now if I didn’t have the time to grow in love and appreciation for the Sacred Mysteries. I always had in the back of my mind, while waiting to be baptized, that if anything happened to me…there is baptism of desire. I wanted it and was preparing for it. The merciful God I came to believe in and know, knew my heart’s desire if something had happened to me. My advice would be to slow down and enjoy the time it takes to grow in faith.
 
😊👍
Took2Long said:
I was just baptized, confirmed, and received the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil this year. I started attending Mass last Divine Mercy Sunday (more than a year ago now). I struggled at times with the desire to want to “hit the fast forward button”. If I were to fast track the process I would have missed too much. Look at it this way, you wouldn’t want someone to rush into a marriage. It takes time to build the love and trust. I NEEDED to wait all that time. I might be going through the motions now if I didn’t have the time to grow in love and appreciation for the Sacred Mysteries. I always had in the back of my mind, while waiting to be baptized, that if anything happened to me…there is baptism of desire. I wanted it and was preparing for it. The merciful God I came to believe in and know, knew my heart’s desire if something had happened to me. My advice would be to slow down and enjoy the time it takes to grow in faith.
Click to expand...
 
👍 good post took2long.

You are right. It should not be rushed.
There is a lot to grasp and comprehend.
I am approaching my 6th anniversary and I still feel like it was the best decision I ever made. I know that I am still discovering new wonders about the faith.
 
Thanks 7sorrows; all.

“My advice would be to slow down and enjoy the time it takes to grow in faith.”!

Took2Long- you’re right!

And congratulations on being received into the Church. Re-living my own RCIA through my wife’s intentions is making me feel so privileged to be in the church.

While not baptised, she has had quite a lot of guidance from me so far. I’m listening to Catholic answered and apologetics and answering her questions as best I can. She also has some of my books, so I hope she will be quite well prepared when she starts talking to a priest. She grew up in a non-practicing Catholic environment, but luckily, a relative gave her guidance when she could, which is great (God rest her soul).
 
Yes this is how I was confirmed.

I met regularly with a priest in private and he wrote a letter on my behalf to my parish that I was ready. My husband did something similar as well due to his work schedule not allowing him to attend classes,
 
Prayers for the both of you! 🙂

Have the two of you talked with the priest yet?
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
We – average people – often see RCIA as classes that someone takes, and then “graduates” by receiving the sacraments of initiation. That’s not the Church’s vision of the process. And in a parish that is more aligned with how the Church sees things, RCIA is a beautiful process to behold.

Someone moves gradually from one state in life – a non-Christian – to a very different state – a baptized Christian. There’s a process of deepening one’s relationship with God, establishing a life of prayer, being an apprentice in the Christian life, and taking on the life of a Christian believer. The catechumen is supported by the community and gradually becomes a part of the community. Rites along the way celebrate what has already happened and anticipate what is still to come.

Catherine of Siena is supposed to have said “All the way to God is God.” In other words, fully experience the here-and-now knowing that the journey itself is important.
Click to expand...
Well said! I see this change in the people who start the RCIA process and complete it at the Easter Vigil. Sometimes those changes are profound! I think the time in RCIA is beneficial to most who complete it (unless there some kind of a medical condition that calls for a quicker reception into the Church)!
 
What saddens me are the people who go through the process and remain catholic in name only. They discontinue participating in parish life and attending mass.
 
7_Sorrows said:
What saddens me are the people who go through the process and remain catholic in name only. They discontinue participating in parish life and attending mass.
Click to expand...
Well yes. Those people exist. Often they become Catholic just to please a spouse. But I prefer to think that they are still on their journey and I hope that someday they will understand that they took the right step by becoming Catholic and fully embrace their adopted Faith.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top