RCIA Teaches "the Faith?"

[ClaytonGarrett]

I’ve been told RCIA is a “faith journey.” Yes, I understand that, yet, once I was done with RCIA, I knew very little about “the Faith”. Shouldn’t RCIA also be an opportunity to learn what it means to be Catholic?

 

[MH84]

I have never been throught the process as Im a cradle Catholic. What did they teach you? What was lacking?

 

[jeaniemarie]

Hi Clayton -
In our diocese RCIA classes are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What are yours based on? Do you go to classes?

 

[aurora77]

It should. I’m teaching RCIA this year, and it’s impossible to get the entire Catholic faith in such a short period. I try to give the basics, the need to know right now stuff, and then show our candidates and catechumens how to learn on their own, the resources they can use to go further into the faith.

 

[jeaniemarie]

We’re blessed with an excellent instructor - she teaches theology at the high school and various adult formation classes in our diocese. I am amazed at how much she is able to cover.

And God bless you for your work

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ve been told RCIA is a “faith journey.” Yes, I understand that, yet, once I was done with RCIA, I knew very little about “the Faith”. Shouldn’t RCIA also be an opportunity to learn what it means to be Catholic?

yes that is the essence of RCIA, learning what it means to live Catholic. It is not and cannot be an exhaustive college level survey of Catholic doctrine. the process should foster a desire for lifelong learning in the faith through formal study, through scripture reading privately and in bible study, most importantly through the mystagogy year following baptism, but even afterward. The person received into a parish filled with Catholics with these desires will be offered many opportunities to fulfill that desire, and ideally through his sponsors and other parishioners, welcomed into parish life and ministry where these teachings are put into practice. I really don’t want to go into more detail in this forum but would prefer to discuss RCIA on the proper forum-- evangelization

 

[E_Pluribus_Unum]

It should. I’m teaching RCIA this year, and it’s impossible to get the entire Catholic faith in such a short period. I try to give the basics, the need to know right now stuff, and then show our candidates and catechumens how to learn on their own, the resources they can use to go further into the faith.

That’s great - that is what I think it should be. Our RCIA leader has held up the Catechism of the Catholic church and said this book is not necessary. I understand it could be an overwhelming book for beginners, yet there was nothing put in its place to represent the teachings of the church. RCIA was a discussion of faith, but it didn’t go into “the faith.” According to our priest, this is as it should be, learning “the Faith” comes later. And RCIA students were left hanging with that. So, my husband (I was using my husbands login when posting the original question) came out of RCIA not knowing the basics. I was very disappointed. This has been the standard at our church for some time. I’ve talked about my disappointment and concern to the priest - he listened and responded that it is a faith journey. New people going through RCIA are very ignorant of many wonderful truths of our faith. It’s really a shame.

 

[lynnesjim]

In our former diocese, I had a friend that converted to the faith in 1992. He attended the RCIA classes (northern Ohio) faithfully and learned about something (friendship, family, and community). In 2002 while teaching and learning apologetics from the Jim Burnham series with 6 dads and their sons, we had an interesting discovery. We covered the first chapter of Jim Burnham’s “Beginning Apologetics” book focused on the Real Presence of Jesus, the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Following the 3rd meeting when the boys went to the other room for a snack, one of the fathers stood up and said, “I’m angry! I’ve went through 12 years of Catholic school and never heard this. This is beautiful and is undeniably the Truth since Jesus instituted the Eucharist.” Then this very good father (the convert) of 6 said, “If you think you’re angry I’m really angry! When I went through RCIA, no every said anything about the Eucharist and the Real Presence! Why wouldn’t they teach me the Truth?” I was in shock but was happy that they had learned the Truth. Thanks be to God that we have so many good books and knowledgeable instructors that are teaching the Truth in a clear, non-compromising way. The RCIA program in our current Kentucky parish is doing a wonderful job of teaching the Truth.

The Truth will keep Catholics in the pews and will bring in those that learn it. The Truth must be shared during RCIA and it must be non-compromising. The Church was built on the rock, Peter, to assure that the Truth would be maintained and shared. To deny RCIA participants of the Truth is to deny them of the fullness of Catholicism.

Pope John Paul II always said, “Do not be afraid.” We should never be afraid to share the faith with humility and charity - especially in RCIA classes.
Jim

 

[ilmor]

Your entire life - not just RCIA - is a faith journey.

 

[cyberwolf001]

I’ve seen Faith Journey used a lot lately.

How do you get to Heaven, how do you avoid hell exactly?
You just don’t get it. Your on a journey…

I’m struggling with [Mortal Sin], how do I overcome it?
This is a journey your on…

For crying out loud this is like being sent into the wilderness from a dieing village to a glorious city and no one bothering to maintain the road so you can’t tell it from the hostile wilderness filled with bandits, liars and demons.

 

[thistle]

I’ve seen Faith Journey used a lot lately.

How do you get to Heaven, how do you avoid hell exactly?
You just don’t get it. Your on a journey…

I’m struggling with [Mortal Sin], how do I overcome it?
This is a journey your on…

For crying out loud this is like being sent into the wilderness from a dieing village to a glorious city and no one bothering to maintain the road so you can’t tell it from the hostile wilderness filled with bandits, liars and demons.

What is your point?

 

[Brother_John]

Our RCIA leader has held up the Catechism of the Catholic church and said this book is not necessary. I understand it could be an overwhelming book for beginners, yet there was nothing put in its place to represent the teachings of the church.

You think THAT book is overwhelming? Try a spin through the good ole “Baltimore Catechism”. You’ll probably put it down, thoroughly convinced that each and every one of us is going straight to Hell.



I am a Cradle Catholic. My wife converted, and I attended RCIA with her many years ago. RCIA is just the tip of the iceberg.

Catholicism is not unique in requiring a long term personal devotion/interest to attain a fuller understanding.

 

[FightingFat]

That’s great - that is what I think it should be. Our RCIA leader has held up the Catechism of the Catholic church and said this book is not necessary. I understand it could be an overwhelming book for beginners, yet there was nothing put in its place to represent the teachings of the church. RCIA was a discussion of faith, but it didn’t go into “the faith.” According to our priest, this is as it should be, learning “the Faith” comes later. And RCIA students were left hanging with that. So, my husband (I was using my husbands login when posting the original question) came out of RCIA not knowing the basics. I was very disappointed. This has been the standard at our church for some time. I’ve talked about my disappointment and concern to the priest - he listened and responded that it is a faith journey. New people going through RCIA are very ignorant of many wonderful truths of our faith. It’s really a shame.

It is a real shame…But maybe someone is asking you to step up to the challenge? After all, our faith is our own responsibility, and discovering its richness is one of the most rewarding journeys one can make in life. Why not make a better job of it yourself and study with your husband, find out what problems and questions he has and find out the Catholic answers together?