RCIA

  • Thread starter Thread starter Iggy85
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

Iggy85

Guest
Sorry if this thread is in the wrong place…I’m new and still learning the ropes.

I have attended Mass a few times and I really would like to become part of the Catholic church. I know that I have to go through RCIA classes, but I was wondering what can I expect, what things will I be learning about, etc.

Thanks for the help.
 
Iggy85 said:
Sorry if this thread is in the wrong place…I’m new and still learning the ropes.

I have attended Mass a few times and I really would like to become part of the Catholic church. I know that I have to go through RCIA classes, but I was wondering what can I expect, what things will I be learning about, etc.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Our RCIA course is split up as follows

The Mass- explaining the different parts of the Mass, in reasonable depth
The Sacraments- 6 Lessons, as the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and the Sacrament of Holy Orders are taught together
Prayer- popular devotions such as the Rosary and well known prayers like the Pater Noster
The Church-Lessons on the Papacy and lessons on when and who founded the Catholic Church and where she derives her authority from
Sacred Scripture and Tradition-only about 4 sessions here, some basic teaching on Scripture and Tradition, luckily my priest could read Greek and Hebrew, so was able to take us through scripture with abit more depth then the course required.
Misc- Anything that hasnt been covered, but is neccessary to cover
 
For your information…from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)…Frequently asked Questions
1. What is the RCIA?

The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. In 1974, the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults was formally approved for use in the United States.
Click to expand...
Here is the website: usccb.org/comm/rcia/faq.shtml. I recommend you go to the website…there are many good questions and answers that will give you a sense of the entire process…into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Your diocese/parish…will have to provide you the specifics on the curriculum…time, scheduling…process.

Pax Christi
 
Iggy,

I am very close to completing the RCIA process in my local diocese, the Portland Diocese of Maine. So it’s fresh on my mind. Also, bear in mind the processes of the various Dioceses may vary. I must digress. I personally began with several months of inquiry, but by the time I had determined to join the RCIA, forgive the upcoming pun, I had studied the Hell out of the Church. Our textbooks are the Bible and the United States Catechism. Each week we are expected to read a certain topic and then discuss it during class. You will be assigned a sponsor, and if you have a Catholic family member that can act as your Godparent that would be swell. However, since I am the only practising Catholic in my family, no godparent for me. Besides, if you’re past the age of reason and are your own legal guardian, you don’t technically need one. I would recommend to you that you read the Editrice Vaticana Catechism, and the Bible, of course. The Vatican sponsored Catechism, in my opinion, is infinitely superior to the U.S. version. Anyway, the aim, as I understand it, is to be Baptised by Easter. Before that are the Rites of Welcoming, Sending and Scrutiny. Due to a lack of Priests I haven’t actually engaged any of these rites. As for the climate, our meetings begin with a prayer, an introduction to the session. From there we basically go where the Spirit leads. There have been questions of history, I.E. the Great Schism, the nature of sin, und so weiter… Also, I’m covnerting from atheism, and you’re converting, if I remember correctly, from protestantism. So it should be easier for you. Get yourself a complete Bible. My favourite is the Douay Rheims, but if you don’t like the use of early-modern English than the Revised Standard Version is nice. I also like the New Revised Standard Version but my RCIA instructor tells me it’s too inclusive, not quite Catholic enough, I guess. They like to use the New American Bible but I’m not a fan of the language, it uses too many euphemisms like “the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad,” where it should be “Good and Evil.” I began my RCIA by discussing basic proofs for God to determine whether or not the potential Catechumens believed. I guess I passed that test, which was about a year ago. Converting is a long process, but I pray you take it. I have become obsessed with everything Catholic. It is an intellectually stimulating Religion, in addition to being the right Religion. Truth be told, I’ve probably gained back all the IQ points I lost during atheism. I also, from Church teachings and the EWTN, know more about atheism now than I did as an actual atheist. (either listen to it or download from EWTN, and search Google too, there’re plenty of materials for the downloading, the programmes are fantastic, you might benefit from listening to Marcus Grodi’s work, he does a Bible series and a conversion series, also, Peter Kreeft, anything he touches turns into fascinating.) Anyway, I’ve gone off in a tangent. The RCIA is to guide you and inevitably welcome you into the Church. However, the responsibility to learn the Faith is more up to you than it is your instructor to drill it.

God bless,
 
Besides RCIA classes, there is much to learn about Catholic tradition and culture that can’t be explained in classes because of time constraints. I have heard many converts say that they had difficulty praying the Holy Rosary, with the ideas of The Communion of Saints, sacramentals such as holy water, and purgatory, and sometimes particularly with the level of reverence Catholics give to Our Blessed Mother. There are some great books, one that is very readable is ‘Rome Sweet Home’ by Scott Hahn. You can probably get it at your library. Maybe you already know a Catholic who could be a sponsor/mentor, someone you won’t have to worry about offending, or feeling like you’re asking a dumb question. CAF is a good place to ask questions because there are people at every step on the journey, and we are all on a journey, whether potential converts or lifelong Catholics. God bless.
 
I’m a Protestant in RCIA and much of what others have said has been my experience. The level of depth of what I am learning isn’t always what I’d hoped for, but I have read a lot on CAF and several other websites as well as a number of Scott Hahn’s books and also two of Stephen Ray’s books - Upon this Rock and Crossing the Tiber. Hahn’s books are easier reads than Ray’s books but Ray uses multiple references to the Early Church Fathers that were important to me in understanding and agreeing with a number of beliefs that are different in the Catholic church than in Protestant churches. Some things we discussed that hasn’t been mentioned are Catholic morality and stewardship. It will vary from parish to parish, but my parish has both Catachumens (those who are unbaptised) and Candidates (those who have been baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in the same sessions, but at different table groups. The Rites are slightly different for each, but over all it’s pretty much the same program. I have at times struggled with that, knowing that baptised persons aren’t supposed to be handled the same as unbaptised persons, but I had so many questions and concerns to come to grips with I am only now completely ready to join the Church. I will soon be making my first reconcilliation and will be accepted into full communion with the Church on May 1st.
 
Unfortunately it’s a bit late to join any sort of RCIA because Easter is in 2 months. You can always speak with the priest at your local parish and see what can be arranged but that said, I personally wouldn’t do that, at least not without a few weeks of solid prayer. This doesn’t mean that you can’t begin to research and pray about whether or not this is God’s direction for you. If you are deciding to become Catholic regardless of what denomination or faith base tradition or religion you are from, discernment is something that you will always be doing. What a better way to begin, especially in your case by praying to see if it’s god’s will for you. If you want to begin, you can start by reading Catholicism for Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio Jr., PhD, ThD and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD, Why Do Catholics Genuflect by Al Kresta to name a few. There are also two great groups called Converting to the Catholic Faith, Converting to the Catholic Faith Resources that you should join. It will help.
When it comes to RCIA, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience will be different and that includes doing under the same diocese as well. I did my first last year. I learned a lot but I took it again with a different parish to ensure this was where God was leading me. In fact, I’m still in the middle of it. I’m enjoying it a lot more the second time because I’m certain this is where God is leading me. I’m going to be confirmed and have my first communion next week in fact. For sure, you are going to be given a ton of information and its divided into sections, each section will vary according to the parish for example, one church I know explained the sacraments first while the one I am attending has just started to do them now. You may a great teacher as in both my experiences you might also have a teacher who isn’t as versed as they should be hence why if this is something that you are considering, I would strongly suggest that you pray and start reading and researching it now. You can also use the season of lent to help you grow with this discernment. I began my Catholic exploration during the lent two years ago, decided to become Catholic during the last lent and two days before this year’s lent begin I’ll be joining the Catholic church.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to send them along.
Take care and God Bless,
SG
 
Please be aware that some parishes conduct RCIA year round and individuals may start the program at any time. However, unless there are unusual circumstances, baptism (as well as confirmatiom and first eucharist) would not occur until the Easter Vigil.

Also, in many parishes a person already baptized in another Christian faith can be received into the Church at times other than the Easter Vigil. In these instances, the period of instruction may be shorter depending on the individual’s background.

As was mentioned above, check with your local parish to see what options are avilable for you. Be aware also that many individuals start RCIA to learn about Catholicism and prior to making a definite decision to join the Church.

May God continue to bless you in your journey.
 
You will begin in Pre-Catechism. I suggest you write down ALL your questions. In Pre-Cat you may ask any and all questions about the Church, the Faith, the Doctrines, anything! It’s very enriching.
Next;
You will have a meeting with the R.C.I.A. director and, usually, an R.C.I.A. instructor and will be asked several questions for them to determine if you are ready to move into the Instructive group. If so, you will be assigned a sponsor who will be your “go to” person through out the process. I spent 2 and 1/2 years in R.C.I.A. and loved every minute of it. I learned so very much but you will also want to augument what you are learning with research of your own.
Once again;
You will have a meeting with the above mentioned people who will determine if you are fully ready to be accepted into The One Holy Catholic Church.
After you are Confirmed;
You will want to attend the Mystagogia where you will dive even deeper into the faith.
You will never stop learning and will be filled with joy. I was Confirmed 9 years ago and still get excited just knowing I am going to Mass!!! 🙂
 
I’m just approaching the end of RCIA and will be baptised and confirmed at Easter.

I found it too simplistic for me. Before I went I had already read “Catholicism for Dummies” and I had been raised Protestant so I knew all the basics. I started going mid October every week and it was only about a month ago that we started getting into Catholic-specific things, and only really within the last 2 weeks that we’ve discussed complicated issues like contraception, abortion, rules on marriage, homosexuality, etc. I understand they had to start from the ground up - one of the men knew nothing about Christianity despite the fact his wife is Catholic and his children go to a Catholic school. :rolleyes:

I have been really enjoying it though and made some good friends, its useful for people like me who felt called to the Church out of the blue and have no Catholic family and no friends (until I came on CAF and got to know people at RCIA)!

I’m really sad now it’s coming to the end, but the leader has suggested that even after Easter we could continue to meet up to support each other, in a kind of “after care” meetings. Do any other parishes do that?
 
I think it would be timely to mention that some FSSP parish priests don’t hold RCIA classes but rather give one on one instruction. So if you are of the traditional persuasion talk to an FSSP priest.
 
corsair said:
I think it would be timely to mention that some FSSP parish priests don’t hold RCIA classes but rather give one on one instruction. So if you are of the traditional persuasion talk to an FSSP priest.
Click to expand...
That’s kind of interesting, since the current (restored) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is patterned after the practice of the early Church during the first three centuries.
 
I’m really sad now it’s coming to the end, but the leader has suggested that even after Easter we could continue to meet up to support each other, in a kind of “after care” meetings. Do any other parishes do that?
Click to expand...
As I mentioned in my post;
“after care” is the Mystagogia where you delve deeper into the doctrines of the Holy Church. It is wonderful and I hope you have the opportunity to attend at your parish.
I loved it so much that I even once gave a presentation at a meeting discussing the reformation and the reasons behind it and the effects of it.
 
Iggy85 said:
Sorry if this thread is in the wrong place…I’m new and still learning the ropes.

I have attended Mass a few times and I really would like to become part of the Catholic church. I know that I have to go through RCIA classes, but I was wondering what can I expect, what things will I be learning about, etc.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Welcome!

I have been a team member of my Church’s RCIA for a long time - and I have been a sponsor a few times. I, myself, came into the Church in 1983 via RCIA. So - I hope I can help you with a few things.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is indeed patterned after the way the early Church indoctrinated new members to the Faith. Each parish may have its own unique way of accomplishing this, however, so I would encourage you to speak to someone at your local Parish. Someone who is in charge of that Parish’s RCIA will be better able to answer specific questions about how your Parish handles it.

However, the overall format is much the same as it is a regulated process. Some Parishes have the people and resources to operate their program all year long. That means that if a person is asking questions, he/she will be able to enter into an appropriate program immediately. But, many Parishes (such as mine), do not have that many volunteers, or even persons who are enquiring, to operate all year long. Thus, some programs are operated from around August or September through the Easter Vigil and then the 40 days after Easter. The last session usually is near Pentecost.

RCIA usually meets weekly during those months. The sessions (please - they are not “classes”) usually run between one and two hours long. The beginning period is the time to gain general knowledge of What and Who the Catholic Church is and believes. You will be able to ask questions, but the session usually have some sort of format to offer general knowledge. You are called an “Enquirer” in Church language, as you check out what we Catholics are and how we worship.

If you feel ready and that you wish to proceed, and your sponsor feels you are ready - The Sunday before Advent begins, is a ceremony in the Church called the “Rite of Acceptance”. This is when you state you do have the intention of pursuing Baptism (or if you are already Baptized - Confirmation into the Catholic Church). You “accept” us and we (the Church) “accept” you as a new Catechumenate (a person seeking Baptism in the CC) or a Candidate (already Baptized in another Christian faith, now wishing to become Catholic - we do not “re-Baptize”). Now you enter into more serious sessions in RCIA and will learn more about the Faith in depth - why we believe the things we believe, what is doctrine, etc. During this time you will learn much more about how Mass is held, how to pray, who God, the Holy Spirit and Who Jesus is. You will learn about Saints, Holy Days, history of the Church, how to read the Bible, what all those “Catholic” things are like Rosaries, incense and so on, what we believe about the Eucharist, and much more. gain, each session usually has a theme or topic of the night. Many times there will be special speakers, too. And again - you are always allowed to ask any questions you may have.

The Sunday before Lent begins, your Parish will hold the Rite of Sending (usually held on a Saturday evening Mass). This is a ceremony in which the Parish priest blesses you and you are “sent” to the diocese Bishop for formal acceptance as a new Catholic at Easter. In essence, the priest AND the entire Parish is saying you are ready to join us. The Bishop will then preside over the Rite of Election (usually held the next day, Sunday, at a Parish of his choosing - usually must be a big Parish Church due to the fact that ALL Catechumens and Candidates of the Diocese come together for the only time of their education!) You are now all called “The Elect” - as you have elected to join the Church.

Now you will enter into a formal time of intense prayer and formation to ready yourself for Baptism an/or Confirmation and First Eucharist on Easter Vigil. Your sessions at RCIA will now focus deeply on personal preparation to meet Jesus in the Sacraments. You usually learn more about the Sacraments during those sessions - more than just general information. You will learn how to pray more deeply and intensely.

Easter Vigil is held the evening before Easter Sunday. The Mass begins at sundown. Any Elect who is unbaptized will receive the Sacrament of Baptism then, and all will receive Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist. Now you are a full member of the Catholic Church! RCIA usually continues weekly until Pentecost - this time is called “Mystagogia”. During those sessions you will usually learn more about how to live out your life as a Catholic. You will learn about Catholic organizations and how your Parish operates in the “real world”. You may learn more about missions around the world. These sessions are varied and will be different from Parish to Parish. My Parish has several speakers at the sessions who describe how they live as Catholics and what they do to keep their faith strong.

(continued)
 
(continued from previous post)

Sponsors are persons who are practicing Catholics in good standing in the Church. It can be a person you know, but if you know no one, the RCIA team will find a sponsor for you. The role of that sponsor is not to necessarily “know it all”, but to be your personal support person, the person you can go to with questions, the person you can lean on. He or she will be with you in all the sessions and at all the Rites. A godparent can be chosen for a person who has never been Baptized in the Christian faith. Most of the time, for adults, the sponsor serves as the Godparent as well, but it can be someone else.

Also be aware that you can remain in the “Enquirer” period for as long as you feel necessary. RCIA is not a “school” that you attend for 9 months and “graduate” at Easter. Also you are never obligated to go through with joining - no matter where you are in the process. If you feel you are not ready, we would prefer you take time to think it through a bit more and pray a lot more!

Currently my Parish is running a program that sort of combines the year-round RCIA and the “traditional” 9 month program. During the months when there is no RCIA session (June through about the end of August) we meet anyone who wants to come and talk after Mass for a very informal session. This session also will meet during January through August for anyone who is “too late” to come into the RCIA sessions that are ready for initiation at Easter. It operates very informally and many months we have no one - while other months we have up to ten or so people. This ensures that we always have a spot to “plug in” with someone who has questions. We would never want to have to tell someone who calls the Parish in February, “Sorry! You will have to wait until September!”

I hope this has clarified some things for you. Feel free to PM me if you wish. I hope you will findyour way to the Holy Mother Church. I know I have been happy with “Rome as my Home”! 😉
 
catsrus said:
You will begin in Pre-Catechism. I suggest you write down ALL your questions. In Pre-Cat you may ask any and all questions about the Church, the Faith, the Doctrines, anything! It’s very enriching.
QUOTE]

The term is actually **“Pre-Catechumenate” **- not “Pre-Catechism”. (Another term is “Enquirer”.)

A “Catechist” is a teacher of religion. “Catechism” is the teaching itself, or the act of teaching, the faith.

“Catechumen,” in the early Church, was the name applied to one who had not yet been initiated into the sacred mysteries of the Catholic Church, but was undergoing a course of preparation for that purpose. An Enquirer is not a Catechumen until a period of instruction in the Faith and usually happens around the Sunday before Advent. (“Catechumens” are un-baptized. If the Enquirer is already a Baptized Christian, he is called a “Candidate”.)

In ecclesiology, a catechumen (pronounced /ˌkætəˈkjuːmən/; is from the Latin catechumenus, and/or the Greek κατηχούμενος, meaning “instructed” - from κατά (kata), “‘down’” + ἠχή (ēkhē), ) is one receiving instruction from a catechist in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism. The title and practice is most often used by Orthodox Christians and by Roman Catholics. (With thanks to Wikipedia in part.)

Just want the informaton to the OP to be accurate. Thanks! 👍
Click to expand...
 
LemonAndLime said:
I’m just approaching the end of RCIA and will be baptised and confirmed at Easter.

I found it too simplistic for me. Before I went I had already read “Catholicism for Dummies” and I had been raised Protestant so I knew all the basics. I started going mid October every week and it was only about a month ago that we started getting into Catholic-specific things, and only really within the last 2 weeks that we’ve discussed complicated issues like contraception, abortion, rules on marriage, homosexuality, etc. I understand they had to start from the ground up - one of the men knew nothing about Christianity despite the fact his wife is Catholic and his children go to a Catholic school. :rolleyes:

I have been really enjoying it though and made some good friends, its useful for people like me who felt called to the Church out of the blue and have no Catholic family and no friends (until I came on CAF and got to know people at RCIA)!

I’m really sad now it’s coming to the end, but the leader has suggested that even after Easter we could continue to meet up to support each other, in a kind of “after care” meetings. Do any other parishes do that?
Click to expand...
RCIA does not usually get into more detailed and difficult topics until the basics of the Catholic Faith have been taught. It can be difficult even within a marriage to discuss religion, so there are many persons who do not have the basics down pat prior to coming to their first RCIA session. So I understand the man to whom you refer.

I congratulate you for having done some “homework” prior to coming to RCIA! 👍 But sometimes people do not have the time to do that. And maybe their “call” just happened that day! One never knows! The Holy Spirit works in many ways!

The “after-care” sessins you mention are called “Mystagogia” in Church parlance. Those are the RCIA sessions that take place after Easter until Pentecost. Mystagogia is a Greek word meaning “education in the mysteries”. It describes the life of a Christian believer after baptism and the first initiation rites - that is, the growth of the mind and heart in the ancient Christian faith.

Some parishes have RCIA groups who continue to meet on their own even after that! But usually the people then begin to join into other groups that fit their individual needs and time restrictions. 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top