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robert_w
Guest
Hey all,
I’m wondering how long the RCIA lasts for those who have already been baptized?
Robert
I’m wondering how long the RCIA lasts for those who have already been baptized?
Robert
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
As long as it needs to.
I know that’s not much of an answer, but there isn’t a specific length of time and different parishes do things different ways.
Many parishes lump everyone together, baptized and non-baptized. They all start out in September and they’re either baptized or make their profession of faith at the Easter Vigil. This is not what is envisioned in the rite, but it’s the way it’s often done.
If the parish adheres more to what is stated in the rite, the non-baptized person spends at least a full year as a catechumen.
The baptized person should be given as much instruction as needed, then be received into the church. So it’s dependent on the individual and his needs. Instruction might be for a few months.
But again, many parishes aim for the Easter Vigil.
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MaryTeresa
Guest
I have just recently returned to the Catholic Church and am so thankful that I am home again. Our Church has what is called a Catholic Inquiry which lasts 7 weeks. This is just an informative meeting just to discuss the Catholic faith. If after the seven week session (started 2 weeks ago) you feel the calling to be Catholic, they will do a Right of Initiation the end of June. Then the RCIA process begins on Sundays and goes through Easter. During the Easter Vigil is when the person will participate in all the Sacraments of the Faith. My husband is currently attending the Inquiry and this is the process that was explained to him. By the way, he has never been baptized but they do group them all together.
MaryTeresa
MaryTeresa
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
It really is or should be an individual thing. It should consist of a few weeks to 12 weeks for Inquiry. (where Baptisms are verified, Marriages are looked at and Annulments started if necessary, questions asked and answered.)
Then the Rite of Welcome.
Anywhere from 3 to 10 months after Inquiry, in the Candidate stage, before Reception into the Church.
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DonSEAS
Guest
Mary Teresa, do you mean the Rite of Acceptance will take place in June? The Rites of Initiation are what brings you into the Church and occur at Easter vigil
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
The Rite of Acceptance is for those NOT Baptized, moving from INQUIRY into the Catechumenate.
The Rite of Welcome is for those already Baptized, moving from INQUIRY into the Catechetical phase.
The Rite of Initiation (of Adults) is the whole process for anyone over the age of 7/8.
The **Rite of Reception **is for those already Baptized and is celebrated at any time of the year.
The Sacraments of Initiation for adults (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion) usually take place only at the Easter Vigil.
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MaryTeresa
Guest
I’m sorry, yes I ment to say the Right of Acceptance is in June. For some reason I typed Initiation when I knew Inititation happens at the Easter Vigil. Sorry if I confused anyone and thanks to those who corrected me.
MaryTeresa
MaryTeresa
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kabyr8
Guest
For those who have been baptized it is “as long as it takes” meaning it depends on a lot of factors. Usually a good in depth interview with the candidate is necessary. Questions can help a lot in determining the length of the process. has the candidate been attending the Catholic church for a long time; has he/she been immersed in the Catholic community? What kind of faith background does the candidate come from and has he/she been practicing that faith for a long time? What is the status of his marriage; does he need a declaration of nullity? I could go on, but you get the idea. Once these questions and others have been answered, then a plan is formulated. Of course I would be remiss if I did not allow the Holy Spirit his due. The final step is of course discernment. It may take a few weeks to whenever the person is ready. Hope this helps you
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DonSEAS
Guest
I am on the RCIA core team at our parish. “As long as it takes” is correct.For those who have been baptized it is “as long as it takes” meaning it depends on a lot of factors. Usually a good in depth interview with the candidate is necessary. Questions can help a lot in determining the length of the process. has the candidate been attending the Catholic church for a long time; has he/she been immersed in the Catholic community? What kind of faith background does the candidate come from and has he/she been practicing that faith for a long time? What is the status of his marriage; does he need a declaration of nullity? I could go on, but you get the idea. Once these questions and others have been answered, then a plan is formulated. Of course I would be remiss if I did not allow the Holy Spirit his due. The final step is of course discernment. It may take a few weeks to whenever the person is ready. Hope this helps you
I assume your parish has a formal RCIA program and generally follows the “rules” for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This Rite is the four stage process leading to becoming a member of the Catholic Church. It is a wondrous journey of discovery, enlightenment, and faith.
The process usually takes about ten months to two years because it depends on when you are ready. The unbaptized are called Catechumens and the previously baptized are called Candidates. The Rite is adaptable so that the candidates move along the journey much as do the catechumens.
The stages are the **Period of Inquiry and Evangelization **which usually is about eight weeks or so long. This is followed by **Period of the Catechumenate **during which the focus is on conversion, spiritual formation, and deepening of faith. The next stage is the **Period of Purification and Enlightenment **which ends at Easter Vigil when you experience the Rites of Initiation.
Candidates offer their profession of faith and the catechumens are baptized. Since the candidates have been previously baptized they will, at sometime during Lent, ask forgiveness of their sins in the Rite of Reconciliation. Catechumens are not required to confess their sins because their sins will be washed away by the water of baptism.
Those completing the Rites of Initiation are now called neophytes. The last stage is the **Period of Mystagogy **which lasts until Pentecost Sunday during which you will continue to learn and live your faith. Actually the period of conversion never truly ends.
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PJM
Guest
RCIA guidelines are very loose by Bishop and parish.
Ours runs from the end of August, until about four weeks beyond Easter. With a two week Christmas break in between.
Considering the size of the “task at hand,” namely to teach The [small joke] entire body of Dogma, Doctrine, Sacred Tradition, The Commandments, The Mass, the Sacraments, the Bible. the Catchesism Ect. It is no minor under taking.
Regardless of how your RCIA is handled you’ll not get everything you need. So make the best of it. Your salvation may be in the balance?
Love and prayers from an RCIA Teacher
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
This is a little misleading, and is what is confusing the OP. Candidates are NOT Catechumens and are NOT to be treated as if they were. Candidates do NOT participate in the Catechumenate, nor the “**Period of Purification and Enlightenment **which ends at Easter Vigil when you experience the Rites of Initiation.”
They enter he Church through the Profession and Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion whenever they are ready. They should NOT have to wait until the Easter Vigil.
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kabyr8
Guest
You are so right. It has taken me some time in our parish to move in that direction, but we have and I think the parish and the church is richer because we now bring in Candidates when they are ready. Some are ready in a few weeks, others because they have not been formed in any faith, just baptized, will take a much longer time.
My question to you is. do you separate Candidates and Catechumens when teaching RCIA? I am curious if you do, how do you do that and do you do separate rites such as Rite of Welcoming, Call to continuing Conversion ? I am always looking to improve our RCIA process .
Thanks
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
We teach the catechumens and candidates together. We have a good RCIA team but not enough people to teach two separate groups. We encourage questions and try to keep a look out for anyone who looks confused so that hopefully we’re not losing anyone along the way.My question to you is. do you separate Candidates and Catechumens when teaching RCIA? I am curious if you do, how do you do that and do you do separate rites such as Rite of Welcoming, Call to continuing Conversion ? I am always looking to improve our RCIA process .
Thanks
As far as the rites, we’re currently bringing people into RCIA about three times a year. So we schedule the Rite of Acceptance and Rite of Welcoming as needed. The Rite of Election is a once-a-year event. The Call to Continuing Conversion is scheduled as needed.
I know many (perhaps most?) parishes start everyone in September, but I hate the idea of telling people who call in January that they have to wait nine months before they can start.
We’re still fine tuning things and I’m still learning, but so far this seems to be working.
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kabyr8
Guest
That is what we do simply because though we a good size parish, getting good team members are a challenge. I like you,in good faith, cannot tell someone who calls in February . April, May or any time to wait. My theory is The Holy Spirit does not call all people in July or August to start the process. It is difficult at times because we do inquiry/ precat whenever it needs to be done
Thank you for your insight.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
No it is not necessary to separate them for the Catechetical sessions, you can if you have the resources, but they do help each other.You are so right. It has taken me some time in our parish to move in that direction, but we have and I think the parish and the church is richer because we now bring in Candidates when they are ready. Some are ready in a few weeks, others because they have not been formed in any faith, just baptized, will take a much longer time.
My question to you is. do you separate Candidates and Catechumens when teaching RCIA? I am curious if you do, how do you do that and do you do separate rites such as Rite of Welcoming, Call to continuing Conversion ? I am always looking to improve our RCIA process .
Thanks
You MUST celebrate separate Rites for those who will become Catechumens for those who will be Candidates. They can be celebrated in the same liturgy, however two separate liturgies would be better.
Remember that only Catechumens are dismissed for BOW after the homily. The Candidates can join them after Mass if they want.
I have seen one parish that started together, opened the meeting with prayer, announcements, then split for Catechesis, then reunited for the closing and business/information, coffee/cake.
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kabyr8
Guest
I had not thought of splitting the two groups for Catechisis. I have split them at times for small group discussions. . It is something to think about and propose to the team mmembers. Thanks for your insight.
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djeter
Guest
Mine was three or four months as I recall. Coincidentally, I posted a reflection on RCIA and my conversion this morning.
“I subscribe to an Amazon Discussion Forum called “What Makes Us Catholic?” and unfortunately I have to say this is NOT the answer to that question. This is what fully confirmed me in my faith: It is what made ME a Catholic, although oddly enough it happened after I had already taken the step. I see it almost as if God came along cleaning up after my messy first attempts, saying, “No, no, THIS is why you are here.” And lest anyone misunderstand here, having achieved this is NOT what I’m talking about; realizing it is perhaps the first step…”
The rest continues here
payingattentiontothesky.com/2009/06/22/called-to-holiness/
Sort of a mixture of Thomas Merton, Fr. Robert Barron, John Paul II and Ralph Martin. But I think it is what I would want to tell anyone who manages RCIA programs on the parish level.
Regards
DJ
“I subscribe to an Amazon Discussion Forum called “What Makes Us Catholic?” and unfortunately I have to say this is NOT the answer to that question. This is what fully confirmed me in my faith: It is what made ME a Catholic, although oddly enough it happened after I had already taken the step. I see it almost as if God came along cleaning up after my messy first attempts, saying, “No, no, THIS is why you are here.” And lest anyone misunderstand here, having achieved this is NOT what I’m talking about; realizing it is perhaps the first step…”
The rest continues here
payingattentiontothesky.com/2009/06/22/called-to-holiness/
Sort of a mixture of Thomas Merton, Fr. Robert Barron, John Paul II and Ralph Martin. But I think it is what I would want to tell anyone who manages RCIA programs on the parish level.
Regards
DJ
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mlouise007
Guest
Hi Robert-
I have no idea how different things might be there in Scotland. I’m in the US and think most or all of these replies may be.
Other people have given you detailed responses to the question you posed. There is also a good explanation here about becoming Catholic for both the unbaptized and the baptized. Scroll down to “Preparation for Christians” for information about preparation for a validly baptized person becoming Catholic. (Again, this is relying on the US Bishops Statues.*)
I think this presupposes that one is an adult.
I noticed from another post you wrote that it doesn’t sound like you’ve been going to Mass but rather that you’re looking for a more orthodox Church than what you find the Church of Scotland to be at this time. You mentioned that you are 15. I do not think you could be received into the Church if your parents continued to opposed it. All of that is a “pastoral matter”, something you’d want a priest to be helping you understand. You can just approach the priest after Mass and ask for a time to meet with him, or stop by the rectory and ask for an appointment with a priest.
Even if you could not be received into the Church at your age without your parents full consent that doesn’t mean you can’t seek some spiritual direction from a priest, or another qualified spiritual director. It’s important to not let this come between you and your parents. They love you and they want what is best for you. Hopefully a priest or qualified spiritual director can work with you in clarifying your concerns and work with your parents in helping them allow you to explore this.
I’m glad you’re finding help in the forums.
Blessings on your journey. I will keep you in my prayers. I recommend you pray the prayer we know will always be answered: “Thy will be done.”
-Marylouise
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