RCIA

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How long does RCIA usually take? Does it depend on the parish? I’ve contacted a parish near me and they say 2 years then the other one says 9 months for baptism and so on. By the way I’m a teenager. All answers would really help. Thank you!
 
It would depend on the church. Our RCIA is about 9 months, but it won’t end there really. They like to continue to see how their new members are and hold more classes,
Those 9 months of RCIA really only touch the tip of the iceburg when it comes to learning about the Catholic faith. It really is a life long learing process. So don’t be in such a hurry:) Your a ‘youngin’ so now is a good time to take the time to learn your faith and to understand it. I see with any faith if you don’t understand it your most likely to leave it.
 
Ideally, for RCIA one is supposed to spend a full liturgical year in the Catechumante period. That would be beginning of Lent - beginning of Lent, plus a bit before for inquiry and Lent - Easter as Elect. That would make it last for about 2 years total. The goal here is that you get to experience the whole liturgical cycle and that provides the back drop for all the basics that need to be covered, ie you learn about the Eucharist around Corpus Christi, the incarnation at Christmas, that Mary is without sin on the Immaculate Conception, that kind of thing.

That said, in MANY, if not most, parishes, the school year seems to be the norm, so September - May, so about 9 months.
 
catholicboy123 said:
How long does RCIA usually take? Does it depend on the parish? I’ve contacted a parish near me and they say 2 years then the other one says 9 months for baptism and so on. By the way I’m a teenager. All answers would really help. Thank you!
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One parish is obviously doing what the Forum on the Catechumenate envisions: a minimum full year as a catechumen, so that doesn’t include the time you would be discerning. Depending on when you approach the parish and start the process, that could mean anywhere from 1 to 2 years before baptism.

The other parish, like many, does a ‘program’ and everyone graduates from the program at the same time without spending the full year in the catechumenate.
 
In part the answer depends on whether the person is already baptized or not.

For someone who is not baptized, the catechumenate should last at least a full year and lead to baptism at the Easter Vigil. That would mean that someone starting now would be thinking about baptism in 2012 (or later).

For someone who is already baptized there is no minimum requirement. Ideally the RCIA director would assess what the person needs and provide that in whatever amount of time it takes.

That said, many RCIA programs run on a school year basis, starting in September and leading to baptism/full communion the following Spring.
 
Generally a full year (liturgical) or more, depending on if the person was baptized or not. This does not include the inquiry period before RCIA begins. My classes lasted a full year, and then I came into the church. Others that were not baptized waited until Easter.

I wish you well!
 
It depends on the parish program, but 9 months - 2 years is about average. If you have a choice, I would go with the 2 year program. You will not feel rushed to learn 2000 years of Church history, practices and doctrines in just a few months and will have time to ask more questions and absorb all that the Church has to offer. Remember, you are on a faith journey. Just because you finish RCIA and receive the sacraments you are just begining to learn about God and His plan for you in His creation. Welcome Home!
 
catholicboy123 said:
How long does RCIA usually take? Does it depend on the parish? I’ve contacted a parish near me and they say 2 years then the other one says 9 months for baptism and so on. By the way I’m a teenager. All answers would really help. Thank you!
Click to expand...
It depends on the parish (for better or worse). It should last as long as needed for the individual.
 
catholicboy123 said:
How long does RCIA usually take? Does it depend on the parish? I’ve contacted a parish near me and they say 2 years then the other one says 9 months for baptism and so on. By the way I’m a teenager. All answers would really help. Thank you!
Click to expand...
It would normally be one year or less. It depends how soon after Easter the RCIA classes start and then the following Easter baptism and acceptance into the Church takes place.
 
catholicboy123 said:
How long does RCIA usually take? Does it depend on the parish? I’ve contacted a parish near me and they say 2 years then the other one says 9 months for baptism and so on. By the way I’m a teenager. All answers would really help. Thank you!
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it takes as long as it takes
everyone is different
everyone starts from a different place and takes their own time on the journey
RCIA is a conversion process, not a program that can fit all participants neatly into a time schedule
The rites clearly state that the longest period, the catechumenate, should last not less than a calendar year, from Lent or Easter to the following Easter. The initial period, inquiry and pre-evangelization can be very short for some, years for others. The period of purification and enlightenment, which follows the catechumenate, coincides with Lent, and the period of mystagogy should be an absolute minimum of 50 days, preferably a year, after the Easter sacraments. all are essential parts of the process

welcome to the forums, and check out the evangelization forum where the discussions of RCIA, including threads by participants, reside
 
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