RCIA

[scc11]

Hi. I am a baptized Catholic but strayed from the church shortly after my first communion in 2nd grade. However I have returned as of Easter and decided to go to RCIA classes to learn the things I never got to as a result of straying and not being confirmed. Last night the Deacon took us on a tour of the church (which I’ve been in many times) but he took in rooms and places I’ve never seen and it was interesting. He then let everyone go up on the altar near the tabernacle. I obviously kneeled before going up there but I felt weird going up there for some reason. I don’t know if everyone else felt OK up there but I felt as if I didn’t belong…any thoughts?

 

[JRKH]

My thought is not to worry about it. As a returning Catholic you no doubt recall being, as a child, in awe of the priest, the servers, the Altar and Tabernacle. Your parents and teachers probably reinforced this idea that only “certain people” are allowed “up there”.
So now - as an adult returning and suddenly being in these places you find yourself very self conscious and perhaps feeling a bit too “unholy” to be so near to the tabernacle.

I love that you knelt before entering. What a wonderful gesture to our Lord and King.

Peace
James

 

[eegardner]

Hi. I am a baptized Catholic but strayed from the church shortly after my first communion in 2nd grade. However I have returned as of Easter and decided to go to RCIA classes to learn the things I never got to as a result of straying and not being confirmed. Last night the Deacon took us on a tour of the church (which I’ve been in many times) but he took in rooms and places I’ve never seen and it was interesting. He then let everyone go up on the altar near the tabernacle. I obviously kneeled before going up there but I felt weird going up there for some reason. I don’t know if everyone else felt OK up there but I felt as if I didn’t belong…any thoughts?

This is normal, since you did have some Catholic formation you remember the sanctity of the altar and tabernacle. You remember the altar is where the Eucharist is offered and the tabernacle contains the Body of Christ, and because of that you may feel a bit unworthy. Those in RCIA that have never been to a Mass or had the teaching do not understand it this way so they would have no reservations.

Welcome back home!

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi. I He then let everyone go up on the altar near the tabernacle. I obviously kneeled before going up there but I felt weird going up there for some reason. I don’t know if everyone else felt OK up there but I felt as if I didn’t belong…any thoughts?

no ordinarily lay persons don’t belong there during the celebration of liturgy unless they have a specific function (server etc). but there are times it is appropriate, anything from cleaning and maintenance, to a situation like yours where an authorized person is giving you a church tour. You are very correct in your reaction that this is holy ground.

 

[fred_conty]

When you receive the most precious Body of Jesus in Communion, you become a
living tabernacle.