Should I Take RCIA?

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As I’m sure a lot of you know, I have some major issues with the Catholic Church. One of my Catholic friends thinks I should take RCIA to see the Catholic Church through a different light. He says that I’m way too analytical and I need to start using my emotions. I say that I’ll use my emotions AFTER I’ve analysed. So, should I take RCIA?
 
RCIA is always a good place to start if you are trying to find out about the Catholic Faith. However, you need to go in with an open mind, and not a bunch of preconcieved ideas. You will always find what you are looking for with preconceived ideas. Go in looking for problems you will find them (after all we are human), go in looking for what is good, and you will find it. Go in not trying to find anything, but being open to all and you will be surprised. You could actually say this about much of life. May God bless you on your journey
 
Have you read The Early Church Fathers? That is an excellent place to start. Also, authors like GK Chesterton. And a really good RCIA progam is excellent, but the Catechism of the Catholic Church gives you a tremendous amount of information.

As a former Southen Baptist, I had a lot of doubts too. Here I am 25 years later, Eastern Catholic and my husband is a deacon. We have never looked back. So go figure. I love God’s ways!

Pani Rose
 
Juxtaposer: Go for it. I don’t think anyone expects that you are making any commitment aside from wanting to find out more.

If you go, you can later change your mind and quit. But if you don’t go and then change your mind you may need to wait until next year.

I’m also signed up for RCIA this year.

Another suggestion: every time you go, bless yourself with Holy Water. And when you go to Mass, at Holy Communion time go forward with your arms crossed (and your mouth closed) in the line for one of the priests and get his blessing.

Among sacramentals blessings come first (see CCC #1671).

CCC #1670 Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it. “For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals sanctifies almost every event of their lives with the divine grace which flows from the Paschal mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. From this source all sacraments and sacramentals draw their power. There is scarcely any proper use of material things which cannot be thus directed toward the sanctification of men and the praise of God.”
 
I’d say try RCIA. The first several weeks are supposed to be the “Period of Inquiry.”

We were told that we can continue the classes and that we can change our mind about joining the Catholic Church right up until the last minute, as we are standing to receive Communion during the Easter Vigil, we could still, if we wanted to, run screaming out of the Church!

I have heard that not all RCIA classes are taught well, though, which might be kind of a let down for you. Ours was excellent, a joy to attend. I’m going back this year as a sponsor (hopefully), a helper, and just to hear all the lectures again.

Here is a suggestion. Try reading through the Catechism in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Keep your Bible nearby and use it to check out the many Scripture passages footnoted. Also bring your highlighter, ala “inductive Bible Study”. (Remember that Protestant fad?)

I’ve been reading the Catechism for several months. It’s pretty slow reading doing it this way, but I get so excited about what I am reading. It’s clearing up a lot of questions that RCIA didn’t answer. The paragraphs about Who Jesus is are breathtaking.

Also, the paragraphs about the Holy Bible. Very, very neat.

You may or may not believe in the Real Presence, but try it. (I had no difficulties with this doctrine; even as a Protestant I believed in it.)
 
Maybe…

Why do i say this? Not all RCIA programs are created equal. Some are very true to the teachings of the Church and you will for sure get accurate Church teachings. Others border on heresy. If you know a truely devoted, agrees-with-everything-the-Church-teaches Catholic, ask that person for a good, holy priest that you can talk to.
 
you don’t take RCIA, it is not a medication, you prepare for the Rites of Christian Initiation, minor rites, culminating in sacraments of initiation for those who choose to join the Catholic Church. These rites punctuate periods of study, prayer, scripture-based meditation and formation. Preparation is usually at least 2 years for the unbaptized, and begins with a period of inquiry, which is just that, asking questions, getting authoratative answers and discussion. Open to all, hopefully facilitated by an informed practising Catholic assisted by deacon or priest.

Then when one decides to proceed, you celebrate the Rite of Acceptance and enter the Catechumenate period. As with each of these periods, “it takes as long as it takes” there is no firm rule we are all starting at a different place and some have a longer journey than others. During this time you attend formal classes on Catholic doctrine and practice and your course materials are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You also attend the first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, and are then dismissed for a study and reflection on the readings, which is a key part of the process.

During this period you are also brought into the life of the parish participating especially in its social justice ministries and community activities.

When the Catechumenate period has been completed you celebrate the Rite of Election at the beginning of Lent, where the bishop formally accepts you as one of the elect who will join the church at Easter. Lent is an intense period of study, prayer and preparation, punctuated by scrutinies and minor exorcisms, and a retreat. During the Easter Vigil the elect are baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time.

These Neophytes (Greek for newbies) participate in Mystagogy at least until Pentecost, preferably for a year after baptism, where they explore the Paschal mystery more deeply. Adult formation in the knowledge of the mysteries and doctrines, and pursuit of spiritual growth should be a lifelong process for all Cstholics.

The above describes the process for the unbaptized. Baptized adults participate in a similar period of preparation for acceptance into full communion with the Catholic church. Children go through the same process, adapted for their age.

Short answer: yes, find out about Inquiry Sessions and RCIA preparation at your parish.
 
Good advice, here, Jux. Especially about
  1. Keeping an open heart; try to assume that the Church has a good reason for whatever she teaches (I think you already do that; your questions are QUESTIONS, not hostile challenges. There is true humility in asking a good honest question.)
  2. Reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Don’t be surprised to find RCIA a bit elementary for you. You might want to lie low until you find out whether the program is completely orthodox. A good test would be to see how the director responds to the Catechism. If he/she likes it, you’re OK, if not, find a parish that affirms it.

Feelings? Yeah. People try to sell me that one too. Believe me, I HAVE feelings. But it seems that my feelings are captured through my brain. If I had followed my feelings, I would still be worshiping in a theologically orthodox, liturgically exquisite, Anglo-Catholic parish. Ultimately, I had to land where my head told me to go: the Catholic Church. And THEN – only then – came the avalanche of affirmation through the emotions: one solid year of non-stop tears of joy, of peace, of penance, of relief, of grace.

By no means should you go anywhere NEAR a rosary! The Mother of God is very dangerous. She is absolutely unreasonable in the extent of her love for Jesus and she extends that unreasonable love to people like you, people who love her son deeply. If you start messing with Mary’s lasso, (especially the mysteries of light) you won’t stand a chance! 😉
 
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Juxtaposer:
As I’m sure a lot of you know, I have some major issues with the Catholic Church. One of my Catholic friends thinks I should take RCIA to see the Catholic Church through a different light. He says that I’m way too analytical and I need to start using my emotions. I say that I’ll use my emotions AFTER I’ve analysed. So, should I take RCIA?
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Dear juxtaposer,

I don’t know if you are married, but if you want to know more about feelings you might consider going to Marriage Encounter which does not require you to be Catholic. That’s where I learned a lot about the difference between thoughts and feelings. People who tell us analytical types we need to “quit thinking so much” simply don’t understand. It’s not something we can just do. OTOH, there are great benefits from “unthinking” as expressed by Catholic authors centuries ago and practiced today in some of the more contemplative practices such as Lectio Divina and centering prayer.

As you probably are aware, I also have some issues, and I am a cradle Catholic and am educating my six children in Catholic school K-12. Through it all, for better or worse, though, I have decided not to leave her even though I have visited some Churches I really like. Sure, I still think “infallibility” is arrogant, and I think some of the Church’s practices may do more harm than good. Beyond that, I can’t say why I love her so and still feel committed to her. Maybe I was brainwashed as a child, but after all that has happened I think I would be completely deprogrammed by now if I was going to be. I have become convinced that she is the original Church with traceability back to Peter. Once Catholic, if you go beyond the requirements, and look into what sort of spiritual development programs are offered in your diocese, you might find that the Church is so rich in spirituality that it is awesome; granted, that side of it doesn’t always show through on the surface for people who show up for Mass and basically don’t do any personal searching.

Summary is, I say go for it. You seem to be fascinated with the Church, and if I were that fascinated with another Church I would visit it as long as it didn’t interfere with Mass. Most mainstream “Catholics” don’t even know what the Church teaches on many things, much less agree with them. I say this not out of disrespect, but to let you know that we are not all perfect nor claim to be. After all, we are one body and the brain cannot say to the ******* I don’t need you! As other posters have said, not all programs are created equal so if in the unlikely event you have a bad experience please don’t let that sour you on the whole Church.

Alan
 
i would say yes. take it. if it’s a lousy parish and you get bad info, ask on this board about what you learn and the folks here can set you straight on what the church teaches.
 
Sure,do it! It might fill in the gaps or reveal something we have all overlooked.

The fact is, for Catholics learning and growing in Faith is a lifelong process, especially if you’re anything like me! 😃

I like to think that the church is like a big school, the process goes on and on. In the Eastern church we call it Theosis, we strive for holiness and work at it our whole lives and beyond. Our entire life is a gift from God, we try to make ourselves a worthy gift back to God, a (hopefully) nice present for the Holy, Mighty, Immortal One!

In your discernment process please do drop by an Eastern Catholic church or two, that avenue is always open to you as well (eastern Catholics don’t use an RCIA program, as such). Also try paying a visit to a monastic house, and learn something more about Catholic Spirituality in it’s many forms. What ever you do, know that you have the respect of a lot of people here, you might want to volunteer to teach the course as long as you’re there! 😉
 
Well, I’ve decided to go for it. Though I must say, I’m a little uneasy with the decision. I suppose I have nothing to lose, but as I’ve said, the last thing I want to do is let my emotions take over. I guess if they were going to they would have done so by now. I’ve already been attending Mass on an almost weekly basis, been on a Jesuit silent retreat, and been going to a Catholic Bible study. How much could a little RCIA hurt? I’m still scared to pray the Rosary, though.
 
you are very right to be leary of saying the rosary. did you ever try, when you were 12 or 13, to steal the keys of your uncle’s truck and take it for a spin? bet you got a real surprise. Did you ever try surfing on the edge of a storm blowing in? Remember the first time you left the bunny slope and went for the slalom course on a day when the sun had been shining, and the slopes froze as the sun went down? You really don’t want to mess with raw power if your are not man (or woman) enough to handle it.
 
Rosary?

Don’t sweat it.

It’s not required. It is a popular devotion. You may hear from a lot of people who are extremely devoted to the practice, it works for them. In time it might grow on you, but it is absolutely not necessary to say even one Rosary ever to be a great Catholic.

In fact, most Catholics probably don’t say a Rosary even once a year, but those who do (quite a few, I might add) are very attached to it. The repetition of the prayers is difficult for some new people, but the real significance of the Rosary (in my opinion) is in the meditations.

I have not said a Rosary in many, many years, and I doubt that I will say it much in the future. But that is not because I don’t respect it, I have other devotions. I would encourage anyone curious to give it a try.

The Rosary is a prayer Rule, it basically started out as a form of prayer that laypeople could latch on to without a great deal of instruction. The 150 Hail Mary’s replace the 150 Psalms that would be said by monks and other religious in the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours. There is no need to go into that here because the subject of the LOTH has been covered very well in other threads you may have read.

I usually will pray the Jesus prayer these days, due to my intense focus on my Lord and my gathering Eastern Spirituality. Considering repetition, one could go into thousands of Jesus Prayers in a day if one was so inclined! (I am not so inclined) I also pray the Liturgy of the Hours, before I took it up some years ago I had a regular habit of praying the Psalms, but randomly, not according to any rule.

Some people express their spirtuality through volunteer efforts. Many Catholics read the Bible regularly (surprise!). Some people pray without words, any words at all. That happens to me sometimes, it can be like pure emotion coursing through me.

All of these extra devotions are purely optional, that’s the point. A good Catholic will find any number of ways to express his/her Faith and develop deeper Spirituality. Yours will come in time, God Willing! In a form that was meant for you all along.

It is good to learn the basic Creeds, and the common prayers of the tradition, I still remember the wonderful prayers I was taught when I was young, they still inform my Faith.

The Catholic Faith, in all of it’s manifestations, is very deep and rich.
 
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Juxtaposer:
Well, I’ve decided to go for it. Though I must say, I’m a little uneasy with the decision. I suppose I have nothing to lose, but as I’ve said, the last thing I want to do is let my emotions take over. I guess if they were going to they would have done so by now. I’ve already been attending Mass on an almost weekly basis, been on a Jesuit silent retreat, and been going to a Catholic Bible study. How much could a little RCIA hurt? I’m still scared to pray the Rosary, though.
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Jux,

To echo Hesychios here, the rosary is a voluntary devotion and not required. Having that lightbulb go off made it possible for me to approach the Church because the whole “Mary thing” REALLY turned me off – not the acutal doctrines, which I respected in a remote sort of way, but the appalling trivializations and almost superstitious customs (also, I could not – and cannot – abide those dreadful blue bathtubs!). After I came into the Church, I felt I owed it to Our Lady to explore devotion to her more responsibly (after all the Orthodox have a passionate devotion to her also). Now I say a rosary nearly every day, and thanks to a wonderful book by – of all things – an Anglican, Robert Llewellyn, Doorway to Silence: the Contemplative Use of the Rosary, I have come to a whole different place with Mary. But don’t rush it. As Hesychios says, it isn’t necessary. You may some day wish to give it a try and you may find it to be an earthquake (as I have) – or you may not.

Godspeed! My prayers are under you. Every time I pray the 5th joyful mystery of the rosary (Joseph and Mary find Jesus in the Temple), I will pray it for your intention.
 
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Cat:
Here is a suggestion. Try reading through the Catechism in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
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Ah, Cat: reading the Catechism. Start with part IV on prayer. I dare anybody to read it dry-eyed!
 
Juxtaposer,

As a RCIA instructor in my parish, I say by all means please attend. In our parish it lasts about 9 months. And as others have posted, you can choose not to convert right up to the end. However, if you come with an open heart, you will learn what Catholics believe. Then you will understand issues that you may have difficulty with. Time and prayer will help you come to the decision that is right for you. RCIA is just the beginning of a journey…one hopefully will bring you back home to the Chruch Jesus founded,and you will be most welcome. Continue to ask questions and feel free to contact me directly if you have questions.

Bless you on your quest!
 
Well, I signed up for RCIA today. I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, but I’ll see how it goes.
 
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Juxtaposer:
Well, I signed up for RCIA today. I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, but I’ll see how it goes.
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Thank you for trusting us as you explore, Jux. BTW, we’ve become fond of you here, so please keep us posted. A lot of people are giving you big hugs and are praying for you as you pursue the most important question of your life.
 
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Juxtaposer:
Well, I signed up for RCIA today. I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, but I’ll see how it goes.
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Good luck, Juxtaposer. I admire your honesty and faith. We’ll all be praying for you, that God shows you his will (whatever that may be), and that you follow it.
 
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