Should I jump in now or wait until the Easter Vigil?

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legaleagle

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I met with my priest a couple of months ago and he told me that I might enjoy RCIA and it might answer some lingering questions, but that the process to become Catholic is flexible and I could do it basically anytime. I will point out that I am baptized and have lived as a Christian since early childhood. I’ve also been reading about Catholicism off and on for over a decade because I’ve been drawn to it for most of my adult life. I’ve been attending Mass since the spring and frequently I try to get there a couple of times a week for Daily Mass. I also love Eucharistic adoration.

The idea of waiting for Easter seems too long for me because in my heart, I think I know that I am definitely going to convert. Being a bit commitment-phobic in general, I guess I’m afraid that I might join and then read some book afterwards that would change my mind (I bought a ton of books over the summer and haven’t had time to read them all yet. I can’t even guarantee that I’d be able to read them all by Easter). But, if I don’t become Catholic, where would I go? I am searching for the fullness of Christ’s Church and I certainly didn’t find it in Evangelical Protestantism or Anglicanism.

So, what do you think about my joining the Church before Christmas and being able to participate in Christmas Mass, etc. or waiting over 5 months for Easter? The idea of waiting until I’m 100% certain makes me fear that I’m hardening my heart to God’s call.

So I’d appreciate any advice or insight that you can offer.

I will also add that even if I joined by December, I would continue attending RCIA because at my parish, it’s very small and informal and even some strong Catholics are attending just for fun.

Thanks.
 
The Vigil is so beautiful, you feel tied to all the Christians who have come before. RCIA is also a good place to get into the Catholic lifestyle, meet other Catholics, really start living like a Catholic.

I’d say stick with RCIA and let the Vigil be your birthday party!
 
What happens if you read some book and then quit the Faith after joining?

It is better for your soul if you face all of your major doubts ahead of time and conquer them before you have made a permanent commitment to the Church. Think of RCIA as your “engagement period” with Christ.

Enjoy this time - it goes by far too quickly anyway. 🙂
 
The VIgil is really for the unbaptized. There are provisions for baptized Christians but the focus in on baptism. If I were in your shoes I would not wait any longer than I have to to be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. You can still attend the Vigil and get much out of it…I know I do each and every year. What a great gift to be able to receive Jesus on Christmas. Sounds as if you are acting very much like a Catholic now so why wait. As far as learning more and reading more, our spiritual journey is never over. On these boards alone you can see how much studying people, who are already Catholic, continue to do. I still keep taking classes (now I can audit and not have to write papers) and I read all I can about our faith. It is never ending.
 
legaleagle,

You are right where I was exactly one year ago, and I know exactly how you feel. The difference is that the priest in my parish insisted on RCIA. This, despite the fact that I was a baptized Christian who had spend the last several years in full attendance at a traditional Anglo-Catholic parish. As such, there was very, very little in RCIA that was new to me.

I wanted so much to become a Roman Catholic before Christmas, but had to settle for receiving a simple blessing instead of the blessed sacrament. I consoled myself that this was my first chance to submit in obedience to the authority of the Church. And I’m so glad I did so, because the wait was worth it. The Easter Vigil was absolutely beautiful. The lighting of the bon fire, the passing of the candles, the march into the dark church, seeing the frescoes on the ceiling and the statues of the saints gazing down upon me by candlelight… hearing the promise of Christ’s coming recited from ancient scriptures, singing hymns in a sea of glowing faces, and last (and most importantly) truly receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord for the first time. It’s a memory that will constantly illuminate my mind, in this world and the next.

So my advice to you is WAIT. 😉
 
Thanks for all your comments. I will have to pray a lot about it and meet with my priest again soon. Even if I decide not to wait, I will certainly attend the Easter Vigil and as I mentioned, I will continue to attend the RCIA classes since I enjoy it so much!
 
I had a very similar concern when I became Catholic… I was afraid that I’d read something later on that would change my mind. That has yet to happen 🙂 and I’ve been reading a lot lol. If you feel God is calling you, try to trust Him. But if you think that RCIA would help, it’s not a problem wanting to go through it too. I think it’s really your choice here 🙂 I suggest talking to your priest more… and dont’ feel afraid, once you’ll start receiving the Eucharist, a lot of this fear would go away, at least that’s what happened with me - I had some doubts and fears before, but the Sacraments truly helped. God bless
 
I wish I didn’t have to wait. I’d love to start receiving the Eucharist…yesterday, actually. 😉
As a baptized Christian with years of studying Catholicism I wish I could just get on with it. It is tough to watch so many partake while I kneel there.
But the class is great. The fellowship is great. And the contemplation, the longing and the love I go through each Mass are there for a reason I believe.The Mysteries of the Church unveil themselves to me as well (incompletely, yes, but still) - I may not be receiving the Eucharist but I am in union with the Church. When I finally undertake Confession, Confirmation and the Eucharist, when I am fully accepted into the Church, I will be even more ready than I am now.

Easter Vigil!
🙂
 
A good RCIA program can be an excellent foundation. It also shows you that there are others like you. I’d stick with it!
 
burritobrother said:
I wish I didn’t have to wait. I’d love to start receiving the Eucharist…yesterday, actually. 😉
As a baptized Christian with years of studying Catholicism I wish I could just get on with it. It is tough to watch so many partake while I kneel there.
But the class is great. The fellowship is great. And the contemplation, the longing and the love I go through each Mass are there for a reason I believe.The Mysteries of the Church unveil themselves to me as well (incompletely, yes, but still) - I may not be receiving the Eucharist but I am in union with the Church. When I finally undertake Confession, Confirmation and the Eucharist, when I am fully accepted into the Church, I will be even more ready than I am now.

Easter Vigil!
🙂
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You COULD receive the Eucharist tomorrow, if you spoke to the parish priest and asked to be accepted, based on what you say. However, I think many would council you to remain in the program because the RCIA not only teaches the dogmas of the Church, but teaches us about liturgy (through experience) and apostolic work, things that must be lived to be learned. Becoming “Catholic” often takes a few years, since it is a lived life, not just a set of intellectual statements and beliefs.

Regards
 
fdesales said:
You COULD receive the Eucharist tomorrow, if you spoke to the parish priest and asked to be accepted, based on what you say. However, I think many would council you to remain in the program because the RCIA not only teaches the dogmas of the Church, but teaches us about liturgy (through experience) and apostolic work, things that must be lived to be learned. Becoming “Catholic” often takes a few years, since it is a lived life, not just a set of intellectual statements and beliefs.
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I’ll stick with RCIA. Even if I was really opposed to doing so, I’d feel too demanding (I don’t think that’s what anyone would be in such a situation, only how I’d personally feel) to ‘rock the boat’ so to speak. I feel unworthy of His Church in so many ways, and unless my health takes an unexpected turn for the worse, six months of waiting shouldn’t be TOO painful. And you’re right about the liturgy. :thankyou:

I have to find new work, my concern now is that I’ll be able to attend Sunday Mass and RCIA. I’d be extremely hurt if a new job would interfere with my faith. I understand the obligation would be met if a job prohibited Sunday and I attend whenever I can, but it still wouldn’t be quite the same; and I imagine I could squeak in RCIA one-on-one if necessary.
So it’ll work out. :gopray:
 
burritobrother said:
I’ll stick with RCIA. Even if I was really opposed to doing so, I’d feel too demanding (I don’t think that’s what anyone would be in such a situation, only how I’d personally feel) to ‘rock the boat’ so to speak. I feel unworthy of His Church in so many ways, and unless my health takes an unexpected turn for the worse, six months of waiting shouldn’t be TOO painful. And you’re right about the liturgy. :thankyou:

I have to find new work, my concern now is that I’ll be able to attend Sunday Mass and RCIA. I’d be extremely hurt if a new job would interfere with my faith. I understand the obligation would be met if a job prohibited Sunday and I attend whenever I can, but it still wouldn’t be quite the same; and I imagine I could squeak in RCIA one-on-one if necessary.
So it’ll work out. :gopray:
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Good idea. Trust in God and continue to pray. And welcome.

fdesales
 
I wrote a day or two ago concerning the Eucharist:
It is tough to watch so many partake while I kneel there<<
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So at this evening’s Mass I went up with the congregation and kept my arms folded. The priest gave me a blessing, which brings closer union with the Church.:signofcross:
I was reluctant to do so before (nervous I guess), but I henceforth shall until the day I can receive the Sacrament. If there’s any RCIA folks out there who don’t already do this, please do, because it is wonderful.
 
Why can’t I edit my posts? Because I have too few?

Anyway, my heart sank when I came across this thread. Couldn’t read the whole thread.
It seems what I did this evening (approaching the priest during Eucharist) may have been an error. And the Father (who maybe did seem a little surprised come to think of it) may have just done a blessing so I wouldn’t be embarrassed or hurt.
I had no idea that a blessing instead of Communion was even controversial, much less the violation it may be. If I was turned away - that would have made me feel terrible. But if my priest was hurt, by doing something he shouldn’t, I still feel terrible.
I’ll try to reach him tomorrow and speak about it.
Has anyone else here encountered this issue?
 
My priest encouraged me to come up for a blessing and I too, read the about the controversy about it on this forum, so I didn’t do it. But a couple of weeks ago, one of my RCIA teachers encouraged it, and I reasoned that since my priest is the one who initiated the conversation about this, then it must be okay. After all, they bless children all the time. I’ve felt wonderful each time I’ve gone up for a blessing.
 
legaleagle said:
My priest encouraged me to come up for a blessing and I too, read the about the controversy about it on this forum, so I didn’t do it. But a couple of weeks ago, one of my RCIA teachers encouraged it, and I reasoned that since my priest is the one who initiated the conversation about this, then it must be okay. After all, they bless children all the time. I’ve felt wonderful each time I’ve gone up for a blessing.
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Thanks for sharing that.
I was pretty distressed over it. I felt so bad about disrespecting the Eucharist, and placing my priest in such a compromised position, that I sent off an email apology to him last night, explaining why I did what I did. It bothered me so much, I felt too ashamed and embarrassed to attend Mass this morning. My own bad decision, I know that.

I overreacted, certainly. I’m very serious about doing all I can to feel worthy of Christ and His Church. The priest had already replied to my email although I didn’t get it until a bit later. He was very understanding and, shall I say, Christian about it, and said it was not a problem at all. I’m going to schedule an appointment with him to discuss this, among other things. I’m grateful that he was so kind.

If and when the Church decides to put an end to the blessing they will make it perfectly clear, which they have not done, definitively. Considering the Pope’s dedication to bridging the gaps rather than widening them, I can’t see his supporting this prohibition; but if so, then the controversy will cease to be. And then these anti-blessing militants will dredge up something else to make converts uncomfortable and confused, probably, sadly.

I really wonder about the intentions of those on here who have taken up opposition to this practice as a kind of crusade and hobbyhorse. They may well be going about this with the best intentions. But to keep harping on something that, while strongly discouraged, is currently under review and not actual law, is very detrimental. If it kept me from attending Mass, what about the shy, nervous types with a less firm faith? I wouldn’t be at all surprised, really, if reading about their “illicit” “deviation” keeps them from ever returning. And I know that when I am able to receive Eucharist I won’t be wandering around worrying about what others do or do not do; I will be contemplating and giving thanks. Not looking for something to “offend” me. I will welcome newcomers, not look down upon them and spend months trying to make a point at their expense.

These folks spreading this invalid guilt around may have to answer for this. It’s hard enough to live the Christian life; the Church can be intimidating enough to those seeking it; and there are enough roadblocks and barriers to the Church put up by the devil and society in general. To have those within it’s own Body busily putting up further walls is not good at all. A very destructive way to witness if you ask me.
I will pray.
 
I think the bottom line for any of this is, when you read something on the Internet, or even in a book, and you find it upsetting, or if it raises questions for you, take it to your local priest, and then, in the realization that God has given him to you to be in authority over you (unlike any Internet web site or any writer of a book) do whatever he advises you to do, and be at peace about the situation.
 
jmcrae said:
I think the bottom line for any of this is, when you read something on the Internet, or even in a book, and you find it upsetting, or if it raises questions for you, take it to your local priest, and then, in the realization that God has given him to you to be in authority over you (unlike any Internet web site or any writer of a book) do whatever he advises you to do, and be at peace about the situation.
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Well said friend. Thank you.
👍
 
I’m in RCIA and would not want to get in the communion line, though a few folks have suggested that I ask our priest for permission. Simply put, despite my desire to not feel “left out,” I just don’t have a place in that line yet. I’ve made God and the Church wait for many, many years for me to see the truth . I can live with the Church making me wait for a few more months. I spend the time in the pews while others are receiving the Eucharist praying for the day when I, too, can receive our Lord.
 
GwenL said:
I’m in RCIA and would not want to get in the communion line, though a few folks have suggested that I ask our priest for permission. Simply put, despite my desire to not feel “left out,” I just don’t have a place in that line yet. I’ve made God and the Church wait for many, many years for me to see the truth . I can live with the Church making me wait for a few more months. I spend the time in the pews while others are receiving the Eucharist praying for the day when I, too, can receive our Lord.
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No doubt, the best idea.
All this goes to show how much more I still need to learn.
 
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