What was it like? Do you remember your first day? Was there anything particularly difficult about R.C.I.A.? What did you need for the class? Did you need to buy it or does the church provide it?
Thanks for reading : )
I went through RCIA 2006/2006 and had my first Holy Communion April 2006. I was raised and baptized in the Church of Christ but had not been to worship service in many years. Through the Holy Spirit I was led to our local Catholic church through some out of town visitors one weekend and I’ve not left the Church since!
I too started my RCIA classes later in the season, but I had a long discussion with the priest and the leader of the RCIA program and both agreed that I could start in the middle of the “year”.
My first day was a little scary. I was raised to distrust and even hate the Catholic church, so in some regards my sitting in that church, let alone in the classroom was a test of my own faith as opposed to my father’s faith. I’m a pretty outgoing person, so meeting and greeting the others was not a problem for me and we all hit it off quite well. There were 12 of us in total attending the class. One man came just for the education, did not intend to become Catholic but brought alot of interesting discussions to the table. One lady decided at the last minute she was not ready for her confirmation and I still pray for her soul to find the peace she seeks. There was one Baptism, and the rest of us received the sacrament of Confirmation and Holy Communion.
This was a very exciting time for me and to this day I take the sacrament of Holy Communion VERY seriously. I’m uncomfortable if I am unable to attend Mass and receive the Host.
The ONLY thing that was “scary” for me was the first time I received the sacrament of Confession. I knew it was coming and was actually starting to panic about it.
Fortunately, our priest was very understanding and everything was very casual. We were all waiting around a table, just chatting about our feelings as he came to take us out of the room individually. We then took a stroll around the church yard. Father and I had a very wonderful discussion about “sin” and what my perceptions of “sin” were. He then asked me if I had anything I wanted to confess or to “get off my chest”. I was still a little scared but told my deepest darkest secrets to him. It was in that moment that I realized that I was not speaking to a man, but to Christ THROUGH this man and that Christ already knew what was in my heart. I started crying tears of joy, knowing that I was in the presence of my Lord and Savior and could not say anything more. Father just stopped, faced me and told me my sins were forgiven. He then offered a prayer of support for my journey and took me back into the room where the others were still gathered.
Apparently the look on my face was enough to convince the others that no one was going to “eat them” and there was a slight skirmish over who would get to go next.
To this day I will never forget that wonderful time in my life. I re-live it every time I attend Mass. This was not a test of my knowledge of the Catholic traditions or Traditions, but of my Faith. I passed with flying colors and so will you if you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through the process.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings about things. Don’t be afraid to ask for further assistance outside of your classes.
I had a very heavy background in scriptures and although I can’t quote them word for word, I know how to find what I’m looking for and generally who said or did what, so for me the RCIA program, in my opinion, was more about teaching me about the Catholic Traditions and traditions (there is a difference).
If you listen and learn with an open heart and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, you will know when and if this is what you are supposed to be doing.
My prayers will be with you through this time.
