What's RCIA Like?

[MrZetterlund]

Here are some websites to help you through the process.

beginningcatholic.com/catholic-rcia-stages.html

ecatholic2000.com/rcia/rcia.shtml

Also you may want to join a couple groups on here.

forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=740

forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=1148

I will be praying for you.

A Strong Start in the Faith:
The Catholic RCIA Stages

Thinking of joining the Roman Catholic Church? The Catholic RCIA stages are a good model of basic faith development. This article provides some detailed guidance for that process.

So, you’re developing your faith. Great! Is it a little overwhelming?

Where to start?
Why so many “stages” of initiation?
What should I be doing in each stage?
How will I know when I’m ready to move forward?
This article is your best starting point to answer these questions, and more. I’ll provide you with some fundamentals — centered in Christ — for beginning and developing your life of faith in the Roman Catholic Church

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I’m no cradle-Catholic, I don’t know all this stuff and want to know what to expect before I stick my foot in the door!! I have many questions, obviously, because I’m NEW to this…

No, to be honest, all of this sort of scares me. As a former Baptist, we focused so much more on personal conversion and turning-of-the-soul to Jesus Christ. The RCC is more of a community than Baptists are…

Lol, thanks. Right on key

 

[TrueLight]

FYI, I was baptized as a Baptist too and if I visited a Pentecostal or a Methodist church, I knew that I could receive communion. I had to learn that Catholics have closed communion, so don’t feel bad.

 

[jmcrae]

So they’re basically a series of lectures? How long do they last?

Two years, ideally.

One does not become a Catholic overnight, because there are many, many questions that you have right now, and that you will have as the process unfolds, and no one wants to rush you into all of the responsibilities of being a good Catholic until you are good and ready.

Take all the time you need, and don’t feel pressured to “get done” at any arbitrary deadline.

I took 17 years, and could have actually used an extra year to get my head around the Sacrament of Reconciliation - I wasn’t really ready for my First Confession.

I’ve never looked back, though, either. I’m glad I became Catholic, even though I messed up my First Confession.

 

[TrueLight]

Two years, ideally.

Do you really believe two years is ideal?

I happen to believe that when someone has a strong desire to convert, one does more harm than good, by dragging it on. As long as someone understands the basics of the faith, I don’t understand what good can come from keeping them from the graces imparted by the sacraments.

 

[jmcrae]

Do you really believe two years is ideal?

I happen to believe that when someone has a strong desire to convert, one does more harm than good, by dragging it on. As long as someone understands the basics of the faith, I don’t understand what good can come from keeping them from the graces imparted by the sacraments.

Most people don’t come into RCIA with an understanding of the basics of the faith, though. My experience is that it takes the first three months to get people to realize that Jesus is God the Creator; the same exact God who is speaking the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. That He is not some new God who came along to replace the Old Testament God as God 2.0, or whatever.

Obviously, if someone comes into Inquiry who is already fully catechized, they should move as quickly as possible to the Sacraments - but the typical person coming into RCIA doesn’t normally have a very strong grasp of the teachings of the faith. In some cases, they are not even able to articulate the differences between Christianity and other religions, and this can take a while to overcome.

 

[TrueLight]

Most people don’t come into RCIA with an understanding of the basics of the faith, though. My experience is that it takes the first three months to get people to realize that Jesus is God the Creator; the same exact God who is speaking the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. That He is not some new God who came along to replace the Old Testament God as God 2.0, or whatever.

Obviously, if someone comes into Inquiry who is already fully catechized, they should move as quickly as possible to the Sacraments - but the typical person coming into RCIA doesn’t normally have a very strong grasp of the teachings of the faith. In some cases, they are not even able to articulate the differences between Christianity and other religions, and this can take a while to overcome.

Gotcha. Do you differentiate between Catechumens and Candidates?

 

[jmcrae]

Gotcha. Do you differentiate between Catechumens and Candidates?

Absolutely - and Candidates can be received at any Sunday Mass - it doesn’t have to be at an Easter Vigil.

 

[TrueLight]

Absolutely - and Candidates can be received at any Sunday Mass - it doesn’t have to be at an Easter Vigil.

 

[Lifesong]

Absolutely - and Candidates can be received at any Sunday Mass - it doesn’t have to be at an Easter Vigil.

I am a candidate as of September 8, 2011. In my parish catechumens and candidates pretty much follow the same schedule and we all come in if we choose at Easter Vigil 2012. I haven’t pushed anyone on moving up my timetable though I have some concerns about the initial classes being very basic as I am already a committed Christian with years of Bible Study in a Methodist Church. On the other hand I don’t expect the Catholic Church to roll out the red carpet because I, a Protestant, finally saw the light-LOL! And maybe the waiting will be good for me- sitting in Mass half knowing what I am doing week after week sure is Anyway, I know God called me on this path so I know it is about the journey and I am really excited. I keep telling Jesus I can’t wait!! And the Deacon told me twice this week after Mass that it won’t be long- he knows how psyched I am to jump in! I am walking by faith and not by sight at this point! I will keep all of us newbies in prayer!

Blessings,

Val

 

[jmcrae]

I am a candidate as of September 8, 2011. In my parish catechumens and candidates pretty much follow the same schedule and we all come in if we choose at Easter Vigil 2012. I haven’t pushed anyone on moving up my timetable though I have some concerns about the initial classes being very basic as I am already a committed Christian with years of Bible Study in a Methodist Church. On the other hand I don’t expect the Catholic Church to roll out the red carpet because I, a Protestant, finally saw the light-LOL! And maybe the waiting will be good for me- sitting in Mass half knowing what I am doing week after week sure is Anyway, I know God called me on this path so I know it is about the journey and I am really excited. I keep telling Jesus I can’t wait!! And the Deacon told me twice this week after Mass that it won’t be long- he knows how psyched I am to jump in! I am walking by faith and not by sight at this point! I will keep all of us newbies in prayer!

Blessings,

Val

Welcome to the journey, Val! And Deacon is right - the weeks will literally fly by.

 

[annaevers]

I was hoping maybe they’d explain everything in the Mass to me. For example, when the priest says “Let us call to mind our sins” I don’t feel like I’m given enough time to call into mind ALL my sins. -_-

You may learn about the Holy Mass by taking this course. It’s pretty much about how and why:

amm.org/chss/chss.asp