RCIA questions

[missEsmtih]

I have started RCIA classes this week. I am interested in learning more and will most likely be joining the Catholic church. I am wondering if RCIA is required for me or not? I was baptized in a baptist church when I was younger, and I believe it was in all respects a valid baptism. I am fairly knowledgable about most aspects, although my knowledge was gained from a Protestant viewpoint. I went to RCIA and I already know I will have to miss a couple of classes, and I think to myself, do I really need to attend all of these classes, considering I know a lot already? I’ve also done a lot of research already, while waiting for RCIA to start. I have been reading the book they gave me and I know that I want to attend most of the classes, but I know that I won’t be able to make all of them. I am starting a new job that requires me to go out of town a lot.

Just reading some things about the RCIA process is that it is required for unbaptized people, but maybe not the full course for those with a valid baptism? Again, I want to attend as many classes as I can, but I know I will miss some.

I know the best thing to do would be to meet with the Pastor and talk to him about my concerns about missing some classes, but also why I feel that I may know enough to make an informed decision anyway.

Anyway I am just kind of curious. I’ve only been to one class so far and it was really busy so I didn’t get to talk to anyone closely.

 

[familyof4]

Hi and welcome home!

I am by no means an expert, but I can tell you a bit of the process at my parish, and I believe that what we do is fairly common practice.

The first thing you’ll want to do, if you haven’t already, is meet with your pastor or the person in charge of your RCIA program. At our parish, our vicar collects the paperwork, and has a short one on one meeting with those interested in the program to see exactly where they are in terms of background, understanding, etc. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you should really plan on the process taking two years. One of our RCIA instructors has a spouse going through the program, and even though that person is well-versed in the beliefs of the RCC, it still took them the two years to complete the process.

You won’t be the only person who misses classes, don’t worry too much about that. Depending on how your classes are done, your instructors may be willing to email you info so that you can keep up on the studies.

Enjoy the process, you will meet a lot of dear people who will help you to form community within your parish-- and who knows, maybe you’ll be an RCIA instructor in a few years yourself.

 

[Spencerian]

I have started RCIA classes this week. I am interested in learning more and will most likely be joining the Catholic church. I am wondering if RCIA is required for me or not? I was baptized in a baptist church when I was younger, and I believe it was in all respects a valid baptism. I am fairly knowledgable about most aspects, although my knowledge was gained from a Protestant viewpoint. I went to RCIA and I already know I will have to miss a couple of classes, and I think to myself, do I really need to attend all of these classes, considering I know a lot already? I’ve also done a lot of research already, while waiting for RCIA to start. I have been reading the book they gave me and I know that I want to attend most of the classes, but I know that I won’t be able to make all of them. I am starting a new job that requires me to go out of town a lot.

Just reading some things about the RCIA process is that it is required for unbaptized people, but maybe not the full course for those with a valid baptism? Again, I want to attend as many classes as I can, but I know I will miss some.

I know the best thing to do would be to meet with the Pastor and talk to him about my concerns about missing some classes, but also why I feel that I may know enough to make an informed decision anyway.

Anyway I am just kind of curious. I’ve only been to one class so far and it was really busy so I didn’t get to talk to anyone closely.

Hi.

I went through RCIA in 2004, becoming Catholic (from a deist philosophy) in 2005.

RCIA is very helpful to teach you about the *Catholic *faith, the original teachings of Christianity. While I’m sure you know much about Protestant Christianity, you’d be surprised not only how much you have left to learn about Catholicism but, as a Baptist, how much you’ll need to unlearn.

Your pastor can determine your baptism’s validity (odds are, it is valid). RCIA will be an essential part of becoming Catholic because it’s key to know not only the *what *(say, The Sacrament of the Eucharist) but the *why *(“We believe that the bread and wine become the true Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ”) and the how (For Christ came to perfect the sacrifice of atonement of the Old Covenant by replacing an ordinary lamb with Himself, the Lamb of God, an infinite offering for sins, as said in Matthew 5:17, and creating a new priesthood to re-present this one Sacrifice in the Mass).

Protestants often see their reason as the basis for acceptance of a faith. But it’s important to see the level of commitment needed to understand the how and why and what that you accept and agree to. For, just as Christianity is more than just a collection of books, to be enriched in Catholic teaching is to learn the fullness of the Scriptures, the Sacred Tradition that tells of all things of the faith (including that which was not put to “paper”), and a teaching body, the Magisterium, that helps with the essential teachings and guides you as you privately reflect on the Scriptures and Church Fathers and other writings.

In short, to go through RCIA is the reason why Catholic Answers exists. There is always something to learn and apply to your life as you live the faith. It’s not merely an “I accept” thing. Christianity, in the history of the Catholic Church, is a living your faith through your life thing. You can always enter RCIA and choose not to become Catholic. But when you are ready to become Catholic, you’ll have those fundamentals down. You will not so much, in all likelihood, use reason to choose Catholicism, but *feel *it, from the deepest part of your heart, that this is right.

Because that deepest part is where the Holy Spirit talks and guides all of us. We just have to listen to Him, and less to our critical brain and its logic. You will** feel ready** to be Catholic when the time is right.

God bless.

 

[5Loaves]

Just reading some things about the RCIA process is that it is required for unbaptized people, but maybe not the full course for those with a valid baptism? Again, I want to attend as many classes as I can, but I know I will miss some.

I know the best thing to do would be to meet with the Pastor and talk to him about my concerns about missing some classes, but also why I feel that I may know enough to make an informed decision anyway.

You are correct that you are not required to be in the same catechesis as an uncatechized, unbaptized person. And you should speak with the parish priest.

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… (“National Statutes for the Catechumenate,” 30)

I just responded here to someone yesterday with a similar question.

National Statutes for the Catechumenate, as approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, stipulate that the reception of a Christian, which you are if you were validly Baptized, not be delayed unnecessarily.

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. (“National Statutes for the Catechumenate,” 31)

You can be received into the Church once you and the pastor agree you are ready. The parish Director of Religious Ed would likely be involved in that determination. National Statutes for the Catechumenate prefer that the Reception take place on a Sunday, other than Easter. See sections of the National Statutes for the Catechumenate related to this in the post linked to above.

You should already be attending Mass every Sunday and other Holy Days of Obligation just as you will once received into the Church. That is part of that “persons who have lived as Christians”.

(These are the National Statutes for the Catechumenate, as approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, so if you are not in the US your bishops may have other statutes.)

 

[ProspectCard]

The RCIA classes at my parish start in late August and those in it are Baptised and/or Confirmed at the Easter Vigil (about an 8 month process). Although you have learned a lot about Catholicism from a Protestant’s viewpoint, I feel it would be very fulfilling for you to learn the Catholic faith through your RCIA where you will learn things that you never realized and you will have knowledgeable people who can guide, direct and answer the questions that will certainly arise. It also gives you a wonderful opportunity to grow close to the people that are taking the same journey as yourself. Blessings on your wonderful and exciting journey home.

 

[FreeSpirit1]

Humm…

Pardon my ignorance, but what do the letters in the RCIA acronym stand for?

Maybe R=Roman and C=Catholic, I=Instruction and A=America?

I wonder if we have them here in my part of the planet

Thanks for your patience!

 

[5Loaves]

Humm…

Pardon my ignorance, but what do the letters in the RCIA acronym stand for?

I wonder if we have them here in my part of the planet

Thanks for your patience!

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The catechumenate was restored in the Latin Church as a part of the work of the Second Vatican Council, as the ordinary means by which those adults seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist are prepared for and receive these Holy Sacraments.

The catechumenate for adults, comprising several distinct steps, **is to be restored **and to be taken into use at the discretion of the local ordinary. By this means the time of the catechumenate, which is intended as a period of suitable instruction, may be sanctified by sacred rites to be celebrated at successive intervals of time. (point 64 of the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium)

It is up to your local ordinary, bishop. how this is implemented in your diocese.

 

[FreeSpirit1]

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The catechumenate was restored in the Latin Church as a part of the work of the Second Vatican Council, as the ordinary means by which those adults seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist are prepared for and receive these Holy Sacraments.

It is up to your local ordinary, bishop. how this is implemented in your diocese.

Thanks… as a craddle Catholic, I was unaware of that. I wish I had a class I could attend to become more Catholic (apart from Sunday mass, daily prayer… I would like to be in constant dialogue with a teacher teaching me to become more Catholic).

I’m sure our bishop has some type of rite (and classes) for new Catholics that are adults.

God bless

 

[familyof4]

Thanks… as a craddle Catholic, I was unaware of that. I wish I had a class I could attend to become more Catholic (apart from Sunday mass, daily prayer… I would like to be in constant dialogue with a teacher teaching me to become more Catholic).

I’m sure our bishop has some type of rite (and classes) for new Catholics that are adults.

God bless

Have you ever thought of becoming an RCIA instructor? That’s one way to guarantee that you are immersed in your faith! In our diocese, we are required to be certified-- and can do that through classes at our parish, or by doing online classes in faith formation.

Even if you don’t want to teach, reach out in your diocese and see what classes are offered either at the diocesean leven or at various local parishes. I’m in the 10th week of a faith formation course, and it’s wonderful.

 

[5Loaves]

Thanks… as a craddle Catholic, I was unaware of that. I wish I had a class I could attend to become more Catholic (apart from Sunday mass, daily prayer… I would like to be in constant dialogue with a teacher teaching me to become more Catholic).

I’m sure our bishop has some type of rite (and classes) for new Catholics that are adults.

God bless

As* familyof4* said there are options. Your parish Director of Religious Education would have some ideas for you for further faith formation. Check with your Diocese. I went through a three year non-degree program offered by our Diocese. It was a wonderful experience. I’ve been in other master catechist classes since then, and regional and local trainings. There is a great deal on line in terms of podcasts etc. as well.

 

[puzzleannie]

I
Anyway I am just kind of curious. I’ve only been to one class so far and it was really busy so I didn’t get to talk to anyone closely.

these are precisely the questions you should be asking at this beginning stage of the journey. I can you it is disheartening when nobody asks questions, because we wonder if we are reaching anyone or if they are invested in the process.

Welcome home, and enjoy the journey.

RCIA is Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and is discussed more fully on the Evangelizaton Forum, a great place to search for discussions started by other participants in the process–and it is a process, not a program or class.

 

[Davina100]

Thanks… as a craddle Catholic, I was unaware of that. I wish I had a class I could attend to become more Catholic (apart from Sunday mass, daily prayer… I would like to be in constant dialogue with a teacher teaching me to become more Catholic).

I’m sure our bishop has some type of rite (and classes) for new Catholics that are adults.

God bless

At our parish they welcome everyone to attend the RCIA classes. They are very informative and it is a good way to help support the people on their journey home.

Maybe you could get involved as a sponser for someone. That was my entry into the RCIA. I know I learned so much by being there and got to meet some wonderful people.

 

[missEsmtih]

Oh thank you for all your replies! I really look forward to learning more, but I was worried because I knew I would need to miss some classes. I will be meeting with the Priest very soon, probably Monday. I am a very fast learner and very logical. I could learn a lot in a few weeks, a ton in a few months, probably enough that I do not need a full 8 months.

I know what I know already and what I believe already as a Christian, not as a Baptist or a Protestant. Yes, I was taught from that viewpoint, but that doesn’t mean that I do not understand what I understand as a Christian and a Believer in God.

But anyway, I plant to attend as many classes as I can, but I also understand that I will have to miss a few. Anyway, thank you so much for your replies.

 

[5Loaves]

Oh thank you for all your replies! I really look forward to learning more, but I was worried because I knew I would need to miss some classes. I will be meeting with the Priest very soon, probably Monday. I am a very fast learner and very logical. I could learn a lot in a few weeks, a ton in a few months, probably enough that I do not need a full 8 months.

I know what I know already and what I believe already as a Christian, not as a Baptist or a Protestant. Yes, I was taught from that viewpoint, but that doesn’t mean that I do not understand what I understand as a Christian and a Believer in God.

But anyway, I plant to attend as many classes as I can, but I also understand that I will have to miss a few. Anyway, thank you so much for your replies.

As puzzleannie says preparing for reception in to the Church “is a process, not a program or class.” It isn’t related to being “a very fast learner and very logical”. In fact being very logical can be an impediment. The norm of the National Statutes for the Catechumenate, this being for unbaptized, is that the *catechumen *be in the process for at least a year. (You are baptized so will not be a catechumen, but the reason why they are in the Catechumenate a year does speak to the process of an interior conversion which also a Candidate such as yourself will be undergoing.

“The period of catechumenate… Ordinarily this period should go from at least the Easter season of one year until the next; preferably it should begin before Lent in one year and extend until Easter of the following year." (National Statutes for the Catechumenate 6)

The reason for this is not only to give the unbaptized a year of attending Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day of Obligation, at least the Liturgy of the Word, and the formation drawn from breaking open the Word as well as instruction in the faith as articulated in the Catechism, but of equal importance is the experience of the full Liturgical year with the sacramental life lived within the Liturgical seasons and the major Feasts of the Church anticipated and then celebrated during the year.

The priest may discern as time goes by that you are ready in a few months, or it may be longer. The formation in the faith will continue for the rest of your life.

There is a process of becoming Catholic, not becoming a Catholic which progresses as you live in the months ahead in the faith day in and day out, being feed by the Word in Holy Mass at least every Sunday and Holy day of Obligation. This is, again, reflected in NSC 30

“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**” (National Statutes for the Catechumenate 30).

It’s great you’re meeting with your priest soon. You’ll have a good idea after that what his expectation is for what lies ahead. This will be a wonderful time!