RCIA Process and Evil

[SonCatcher]

Thank you for your advice! I have begun saying the St. Michael prayer at bedtime and different times throughout the day and I have not had any further nightmares.

I will also read the beginning of Job as you suggested. I’ll take any amount of insight that I can get

I’m glad you found help.

It may be better for now (before your baptism) just stick to the first and last chapters (in the last chapter, God restores to Job everything the devil took away in the first chapter). However, if you proceed with reading Job, make sure to discuss what you read with your sponsor and priest. They will help you understand the differences between statements in Job and how theology has developed in the Church.

 

[KarenElissa]

Struggles, especially as we are getting close to Easter, are common for catechumens. Fortunately, there are three rites in Lent that are designed specifically for this problem. The Scrutinies, which are celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays in Lent contain minor exorcisms. These are not the type of exorcisms you see on tv, but are special prayers to strengthen the individual. The RCIA guide explains them this way:

In the rite of exorcism, … the elect, who have already learned from the Church as their mother the mystery of deliverance from sin by Christ, are freed from the effects of sin and from the influence of the devil. They receive new strength in the midst of their spiritual journey and they open their hearts to receive the gifts of the Savior.

 

[NurseCatechumen]

Struggles, especially as we are getting close to Easter, are common for catechumens. Fortunately, there are three rites in Lent that are designed specifically for this problem. The Scrutinies, which are celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays in Lent contain minor exorcisms. These are not the type of exorcisms you see on tv, but are special prayers to strengthen the individual. The RCIA guide explains them this way:

Hi Karen~ Our teacher did mention about the scrutinies but did not tell us exactly what they were other than exorcisms. I’m actually looking forward to this because I feel it will strengthen me and help me to continue the process without fear.

 

[KarenElissa]

Hi Karen~ Our teacher did mention about the scrutinies but did not tell us exactly what they were other than exorcisms. I’m actually looking forward to this because I feel it will strengthen me and help me to continue the process without fear.

I’m sure your teacher will spend at least a bit more time talking about the scrutinies in the coming weeks. These last few months before Easter so so busy that for RCIA leaders it is very much one step at a time. Once you are through the RIte of Election, I’m sure you will hear more about the scrutinies.

 

[Bluesky123]

I am having a similar experience, and have been suspicious about how something spiritual might be working against me partaking in upcoming sacraments!

Computer viruses, hostile neighbor, bad car problem, problems with RCIA sponsor (significant) who doesn’t believe in much of what the church believes, creates interpersonal triangles…it’s painful! This isn’t all of it, either.

I pray the rosary so often which helps but I am going to attend Mass daily (more Mass more joy) and pray the sorrowful mysteries before bed time. My concern is that my sponsor will do something to make my first communion difficult emotionally. I have never had such an onslaught of petty challenges…I think my Lord is protecting me from a lot as well.

Anyway, because of your post I feel better! It’s a relief to think that it’s happening because of my head-over-heels love for the Catholic church, the greatest earthly beauty known to man, God’s garden.

 

[AniCS]

You can talk to your catechist, the RE coordinator, or your priest and ask for another sponsor, just do it without gossip.
My prays for you

 

[Student09]

You can talk to your catechist, the RE coordinator, or your priest and ask for another sponsor, just do it without gossip.

I second this. The priest will most likely know someone, like a deacon or a nice daily-Mass-going grandmother, who can step in and be your sponsor. They provided one for me at the last minute! There are ways.

 

[Bluesky123]

I am doing my best to back away from the rcia sponsor, but she remains. She doesn’t believe much of what the church believes, and really undermines the process rather than support it; it’s important for me to protect my process, so I’m just doing the best I can to not create an issue or a scene. It’s hard for other people to know what I’m experiencing; she seems perfectly nice on the surface, so I’m just going to keep my distance until it’s over. I do consult with someone else in the program when I have questions. It’s really been my challenge dealing with this person.

 

[knotanes]

My attitude is: yes. But, never give up. Our 6 years trying to convert may still turn into 8 years. Nothing worth winning is easily won. Life is a treacherous mountain climb closer to God and away from self.

 

[ivory]

I too am going through RCIA, and I believe that there is something trying to keep me from my baptism.

Long story short, my case was mishandled spectacularly on all levels by my local parish. I spent several Sundays being shuffled around between people and spent a couple weeks with an instructor that I learned last week to be the entirely wrong one. I don’t know why she didn’t do this before, but this time she directed me to what was the real RCIA class. By that time, it was too late to lump me in with the baptisms for Easter Vigil.

Either God thinks I’m not ready yet, or a certain someone is doing his best to make sure I get nowhere.

 

[mommyof4]

I have no new advice to add, but I just wanted to tell the catechumens on here that you are in my prayers right now.

 

[achmafooma]

I too am going through RCIA, and I believe that there is something trying to keep me from my baptism.

Long story short, my case was mishandled spectacularly on all levels by my local parish. I spent several Sundays being shuffled around between people and spent a couple weeks with an instructor that I learned last week to be the entirely wrong one. I don’t know why she didn’t do this before, but this time she directed me to what was the real RCIA class. By that time, it was too late to lump me in with the baptisms for Easter Vigil.

Either God thinks I’m not ready yet, or a certain someone is doing his best to make sure I get nowhere.

Hello, Ivory!

I know this must be very frustrating for you. Obviously I don’t know the details of your situation, but I’m an RCIA coordinator at my home Parish…and this is my first year doing it, so I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way. I suspect that the people you have interacted with are volunteers and are trying their best, but we don’t always know what we’re supposed to do!

At least in my Parish/Diocese, we normally only do adult Baptisms at the Easter Vigil…and we always want to make sure that people have a good understanding of the Sacraments and the teachings of the Church before receiving the Sacraments. So if somebody came to us late (as it sounds like you might have), we would encourage them to hold off until next year so they can go through the entire RCIA class curriculum.

Of course we’ll sometimes make exceptions when there is a serious need. We have one gentleman in the class this year who started very late. He decided he wanted to become a Catholic before his wedding (to a Catholic) in the fall, which was already being planned with the Church. So after discussing it with our Pastor, we decided to develop a supplementary study program for him to get ‘caught up’ in time for the Vigil. But if it weren’t for his upcoming wedding, we probably would have asked him to come back in the fall and go through the whole RCIA process.

Anyway…I recommend making an appointment ASAP with the Pastor at your Parish. Tell him what has happened, that you’ve been trying to prepare but there were some misunderstandings about who you should be working with, and so on. He should be able to give you some guidance – perhaps there is some way to get you ready in time for the Vigil, or perhaps they can set a different date for you later in the year (this is discouraged in my Diocese, but it’s not unheard of).

Most of all, please do not get discouraged! I know it can seem like a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork some times – especially when we make mistakes and send you to the wrong place! But I am reasonably sure that everybody at your Parish wants you to receive the Sacraments, and will do everything possible to make it happen (even if it has to be delayed because of the circumstances).

God bless!