Rcia

[Curious]

I’m fairly sure this question has been asked before, so forgive me ahead of time.

I have the understanding that RCIA generally begins in September or so, starting with a general inquiry period (and later making the decision to go all the way through with it) and the candidates/catechumens entering the church on Easter Vigil.

Is there ever any way around this schedule? Exceptions?

 

[stargazer257]

Speaking from limited knowledge…

The usual process, as you appear to know, follows the ~ September to Easter Vigil time frame. There may be exceptions, but it would be for someone who has already done a thourogh study of the Catholic faith and is truly ready. I remember reading in some of the “Surprised by Truth” series of conversions people who came into the Church at a time other than the Easter Vigil, but these candidates were very knowlegable about the Church.

And now, speaking as a Sponsor of a RCIA candidate that just came into the Church last month , my candidate had a similar desire, that is, to join earlier. In hindsight, I believe he was happy to wait as he learned more and was better prepared (his “journey” started in May-June of last year). We were able to celebrate it together with all the other candidates/catechumens.

Back to your question, though I found this online:

…the process called RCIA is not one with time limits or a specific amount of time in which you will finish and become a catholic. Usually the process takes a year, or a little more for those who have joined right after the Christmas season. It mainly depends on your circumstances, people with a marriage case to be annulled may take a bit longer. People with strong background in another faith and scripture may not* take as long as others.

and the footnote for the may not:

this is based on the RCIA Rite Book # 473-504 · which mainly says that no greater burden than necessary is to be placed on Baptized catechized adults to establish communion and unity. The baptized person is to receive doctrinal and spiritual preparation adapted to individual pastoral requirements

Here is the link: ecatholic2000.com/rcia/rcia1.shtml

There is for sure more info out there on this…have at it guys…

SG257

 

[slinky1882]

Hey, speak to the pastor of the parish you are interested in taking RCIA from or call the diocese. Often if for some legitimate reason (ex. family), a priest may work with the individual one on one or put you into contact with another priest or a deacon. Hope this helps. Thanks and God Bless.

 

[Curious]

Good good…that’s what I thought. Thanks guys.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Curious:

I’m fairly sure this question has been asked before, so forgive me ahead of time.

I have the understanding that RCIA generally begins in September or so, starting with a general inquiry period (and later making the decision to go all the way through with it) and the candidates/catechumens entering the church on Easter Vigil.

Is there ever any way around this schedule? Exceptions?

RCIA should be a year round process. A person can enter Inquiry at any time and moves into either the Catechumenate (un-Baptized) or Candidate phase with the Rite of Acceptance (into the Catechumenate) or the Rite of Welcome (as a Candidate).

The Catechumenate is supposed to take ONE FULL liturgical year. As a Catechumen you should go through and experience all of the Liturgical seasons and all of the feasts of the Church calendar. Being Baptized at the next Easter Vigil after this year in the Catechumenate.

As a Candidate your time in the process varies with where you are on your Christian journey. It can be as little as six or eight weeks to as long as a full Liturgical year. That is up to you, your Sponsor and the Pastor. Your Pastor should celebrate the Rite of Reception - into full communion sometime during the year and NOT at the Easter Vigil if at all possible.

 

[puzzleannie]

Curious:

I’m fairly sure this question has been asked before, so forgive me ahead of time.

I have the understanding that RCIA generally begins in September or so, starting with a general inquiry period (and later making the decision to go all the way through with it) and the candidates/catechumens entering the church on Easter Vigil.

Is there ever any way around this schedule? Exceptions?

it is all over the map, depends on parish and diocese. We have year-round catechumenate, off in July (because I go up north) and most everybody is gone then. school year model makes no sense for adults. In this parish, people may begin anytime of the year, and attend inquiry sessions as long as they like until they decide to take the plunge and become Catholic. Then, if they come regularly beginning right after Easter, they can complete the required classes in time for next Easter, but whether they are actually ready then depends on them. “It takes as long as it takes.” In general RCIA or sacramental preparation should take at least 2 years. At a very minimum it should go through one complete cycle of the liturgical year, because so much of the catechesis is based on the Sunday readings. This is another reason not to miss 4-5 months of ordinary time in the Summer. We will celebrate the Rite of Acceptance in September for those planning to be baptized at Easter.

The time it takes depends on the starting point of the person. A protestant living a good Christian life with good knowledge of the Bible is in an entirely different position than a non-Christian who is undergoing a true conversion from no faith, or even from a very sinful or destructive lifestyle, and the process should recognize those differences.

 

[Curious]

Yes. I was under the vague impression that entering the Church kind of took into account the invidual person a times, but I wasn’t sure of the specifics.