RCIA Question - more than once?

[SonofMonica]

So my wife and I, each baptized, are in RCIA right now. I have a question. If we complete the RCIA course, express desire to be confirmed and received into full communion, is there a chance we will be told “no?” I seem to have read anecdotes on this forum about it taking 2 years or having to do RCIA again. What is this about? Is this really a possibility for two people eager to join the Church, or is this only for people who have second thoughts and back out and then rejoin RCIA?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I think it’s a pastoral decision. It is the pastor’s responsibility to gauge each person’s readiness to join the Church. If some people take longer than others, perhaps it is because they are not sure they are ready, have some unanswered questions or issues or reservations about joining the Church, have very sporadic attendance at classes, show a lack of commitment, fail to accept/embrace the Church’s teachings on important issues, have unresolved divorce/remarriage issues, etc.

One year is not a magical number. Different people take different lengths of time to be ready.

And even if someone needs more than the “standard” length of time (if there is such a thing), it probably would not be a matter of “more than once” as the title of your post suggests, but rather whatever extra work is needed to fill in the gaps. I don’t see much point in repeating the process unless there is a lot that was missed or not understood the first time around.

 

[SonofMonica]

I think it’s a pastoral decision. It is the pastor’s responsibility to gauge each person’s readiness to join the Church. If some people take longer than others, perhaps it is because they are not sure they are ready, have some unanswered questions or issues or reservations about joining the Church, have very sporadic attendance at classes, show a lack of commitment, fail to accept/embrace the Church’s teachings on important issues, have unresolved divorce/remarriage issues, etc.

One year is not a magical number. Different people take different lengths of time to be ready.

And even if someone needs more than the “standard” length of time (if there is such a thing), it probably would not be a matter of “more than once” as the title of your post suggests, but rather whatever extra work is needed to fill in the gaps. I don’t see much point in repeating the process unless there is a lot that was missed or not understood the first time around.

Okay, so it sounds like the principal reasons for not getting confirmed have to do with the confirmand not feeling ready, or some objective criteria such as non-annulled divorce or rejection of church teaching. So it’s safe to say that there’s not some sort of subjective or secret or “grey” discretion on the part of an RCIA leader to go “ehhh, I’m not sure you’re Catholic material…” The only reason I asked is because my wife and I missed a class due to a scheduled family vacation with her parents and I couldn’t get a straight answer over whether this would “set us back” in terms of being confirmed at Easter.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Okay, so it sounds like the principal reasons for not getting confirmed have to do with the confirmand not feeling ready, or some objective criteria such as non-annulled divorce or rejection of church teaching. So it’s safe to say that there’s not some sort of subjective or secret or “grey” discretion on the part of an RCIA leader to go “ehhh, I’m not sure you’re Catholic material…” The only reason I asked is because my wife and I missed a class due to a scheduled family vacation with her parents and I couldn’t get a straight answer over whether this would “set us back” in terms of being confirmed at Easter.

I can’t imagine that missing a single class would prevent you from being confirmed. In most RCIA groups it is almost impossible for everyone to be there every week.

Why not just ask what was covered the day you missed, and whether there is some reading material that would familiarize you with the topic?

 

[SonofMonica]

I can’t imagine that missing a single class would prevent you from being confirmed. In most RCIA groups it is almost impossible for everyone to be there every week.

Why not just ask what was covered the day you missed, and whether there is some reading material that would familiarize you with the topic?

Yeah that’s what I’m doing. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Okay, so it sounds like the principal reasons for not getting confirmed have to do with the confirmand not feeling ready, or some objective criteria such as non-annulled divorce or rejection of church teaching. So it’s safe to say that there’s not some sort of subjective or secret or “grey” discretion on the part of an RCIA leader to go “ehhh, I’m not sure you’re Catholic material…” The only reason I asked is because my wife and I missed a class due to a scheduled family vacation with her parents and I couldn’t get a straight answer over whether this would “set us back” in terms of being confirmed at Easter.

I wouldn’t worry about someone who missed a single class. On the other hand, if there’s a pattern of not coming to the RCIA sessions and/or not coming to Mass, then I do have concerns about how committed the person is.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I think it’s a pastoral decision. It is the pastor’s responsibility to gauge each person’s readiness to join the Church. If some people take longer than others, perhaps it is because they are not sure they are ready, have some unanswered questions or issues or reservations about joining the Church, have very sporadic attendance at classes, show a lack of commitment, fail to accept/embrace the Church’s teachings on important issues, have unresolved divorce/remarriage issues, etc.

One year is not a magical number. Different people take different lengths of time to be ready.

And even if someone needs more than the “standard” length of time (if there is such a thing), it probably would not be a matter of “more than once” as the title of your post suggests, but rather whatever extra work is needed to fill in the gaps. I don’t see much point in repeating the process unless there is a lot that was missed or not understood the first time around.

This is an excellent answer. Baptized Christians who have a good understanding of the basics of Christian faith and who truly want to join the Church, usually have no problems with whatever the basic program is at that parish (usually September to Easter so about 7-8 months). If you need to miss a session because of a standing commitment or sickness, you should be able to make it up with some reading, and maybe a provate meeting with the priest, RCIA director, or sponsor.

Only if there is some underlying impediemnt (usually a marriage issue) or a reservation or lack of commitment on the part of the Candidate will Confirmation be postponed until that issue can be resolved.

There are no restrictions on race, age, mental abilities, income or ‘class’ that should hold someone back from joining the Catholic Church.

 

[SonofMonica]

This is an excellent answer. Baptized Christians who have a good understanding of the basics of Christian faith and who truly want to join the Church, usually have no problems with whatever the basic program is at that parish (usually September to Easter so about 7-8 months). If you need to miss a session because of a standing commitment or sickness, you should be able to make it up with some reading, and maybe a provate meeting with the priest, RCIA director, or sponsor.

Only if there is some underlying impediemnt (usually a marriage issue) or a reservation or lack of commitment on the part of the Candidate will Confirmation be postponed until that issue can be resolved.

There are no restrictions on race, age, mental abilities, income or ‘class’ that should hold someone back from joining the Catholic Church.

Thanks!

 

[puzzleannie]

So my wife and I, each baptized, are in RCIA right now. I have a question. If we complete the RCIA course, express desire to be confirmed and received into full communion, is there a chance we will be told “no?”

rule #1 about RCIA-do not compare your experience with that of anyone else in your group, or that you have known or read about. You don’t know where they started, how long they have been on the journey, and what hurdles they have faced in their conversion, and they do not know your story. Worry only about your own journey and take the guidance that is being offered to you.

No, you will not be told NO unless there is some barrier that still exists which would prevent you from coming into full communion with the Church. Most often that is a problem related to marriage or “lifestyle choices.” You cannot receive confirmation and first communion if you are objectively living in a state of mortal sin, nor could a catechumen be baptized if they insist on remaining in a living situation which would place them immediately in a condition of mortal sin.

These are pastoral issues that the candidate should be working through with the help of the priest, and are beyond the competence of most lay persons working in RCIA as catechists, director or team member. You should have had the opportunity for one (or more) interviews with the pastor or his delegate at the beginning of the process, and during the RCIA journey as needed, so there should be no surprises.

If you have issues, make an appointment and speak to the priest about it now.

The other reason that commonly holds people back, besides unreadiness for conversion, is a misunderstanding or inability to accept Church doctrine on some points, and that calls for more prayer first of all, and more study, and often more time, so yes they might agree, after speaking with catechist, sponsor and pastor, on their own assessment that they do not feel ready to make a profession of faith at this time.

But no, if someone arbitrarily tells you NO, you need to speak to the pastor immediately, or to the bishop if the pastor does not give you enough information.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

So my wife and I, each baptized, are in RCIA right now. I have a question. If we complete the RCIA course, express desire to be confirmed and received into full communion, is there a chance we will be told “no?” I seem to have read anecdotes on this forum about it taking 2 years or having to do RCIA again. What is this about? Is this really a possibility for two people eager to join the Church, or is this only for people who have second thoughts and back out and then rejoin RCIA?

After the Inquiry phase which should be 6 to 12 weeks you, your Sponsor and the Pastor have a decision to make. If you wish to continue toward Baptism as a Catechumen or Reception as a Candidate, you celebrate the Rite of Acceptance if you are not Baptized or Welcome if you are. At this point you should be reasonably certain. If not you will simply stay in the Inquiry phase until the next opportunity for the Rites. Which should take place two or three times a year. If you, your Sponsor or the Pastor feel that you are not ready to be Baptized or Received, you can continue where you are and be Baptized the next Easter Vigil or if you are a Candidate you can be Received into the Church at any time you are ready (which would also include Marriage situations being resolved). Many times the “two year” RCIA comes up is that adults are only Baptized normally at the Easter Vigil, so is you are not ready by the end of the first year or start in the middle of the firat year it may be another year.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

… Many times the “two year” RCIA comes up is that adults are only Baptized normally at the Easter Vigil, so is you are not ready by the end of the first year or start in the middle of the firat year it may be another year.

Easter Vigil is the normal time for adult Baptism, but this is not always the case. Many pastors will baptize at another time of year if it seems prudent to do so.

 

[SonofMonica]

After the Inquiry phase which should be 6 to 12 weeks you, your Sponsor and the Pastor have a decision to make. If you wish to continue toward Baptism as a Catechumen or Reception as a Candidate, you celebrate the Rite of Acceptance if you are not Baptized or Welcome if you are. At this point you should be reasonably certain. If not you will simply stay in the Inquiry phase until the next opportunity for the Rites. Which should take place two or three times a year. If you, your Sponsor or the Pastor feel that you are not ready to be Baptized or Received, you can continue where you are and be Baptized the next Easter Vigil or if you are a Candidate you can be Received into the Church at any time you are ready (which would also include Marriage situations being resolved). Many times the “two year” RCIA comes up is that adults are only Baptized normally at the Easter Vigil, so is you are not ready by the end of the first year or start in the middle of the firat year it may be another year.

Gotcha. Wasn’t aware of these rites along the way, but that makes a lot of sense. So technically, we wouldn’t have to wait until Easter, just until after the inquiry phase is over and we can have interviews? I was really just concerned about the fact we had missed a class.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Easter Vigil is the normal time for adult Baptism, but this is not always the case. Many pastors will baptize at another time of year if it seems prudent to do so.

Baptizing an adult should be done at the Easter Vigil unless there is a serious need to do so at another time, not just because it seems prudent or nice to do so.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Gotcha. Wasn’t aware of these rites along the way, but that makes a lot of sense. So technically, we wouldn’t have to wait until Easter, just until after the inquiry phase is over and we can have interviews? I was really just concerned about the fact we had missed a class.

I don’t know anything specific about how your parish does things. However it should not be about “The Class” it’s about the journey with your Sponsor. Also keep in mind that you and your husband do not need to be received together. You each have your own sponsor and may not progress along at the same pace.

 

[SonofMonica]

I don’t know anything specific about how your parish does things. However it should not be about “The Class” it’s about the journey with your Sponsor. Also keep in mind that you and your husband do not need to be received together. You each have your own sponsor and may not progress along at the same pace.

If I had a husband, then both of us would be in serious conflict with Church teaching. Note, the screenname is Son - of - Monica, as in St. Augustine. Cheers!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

If I had a husband, then both of us would be in serious conflict with Church teaching. Note, the screenname is Son - of - Monica, as in St. Augustine. Cheers!

Sorry I reversed your original post when I read it. Replace husband with wife.

 

[SonofMonica]

Sorry I reversed your original post when I read it. Replace husband with wife.

LOL, thanks. I never would have figured that out.