When to Start RCIA?

  • Thread starter Thread starter auctoris
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

auctoris

Guest
I’m not sure of the correct forum to post this, so I’ll try it here.

I’ll ask the question first, then give some background. Should you start RCIA after you’ve decided you want to join the Church or in order to decide if you want to join the Church?

I come from a lifelong Southern Baptist background and have been studying Catholicism for several years. I have already found the answers to a lot of my questions. I would like to move forward, but I still have a few lingering questions.

Should I join RCIA in order to get these questions answered and make my decision, or should I have already decided I’m going to join the Church when I start RCIA?

Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be great.

Thanks
 
auctoris said:
I’ll ask the question first, then give some background. Should you start RCIA after you’ve decided you want to join the Church or in order to decide if you want to join the Church?
Click to expand...
The second course is correct. You do not have to make any commitment or promises until after having been in RCIA several months.
 
Good question, auctoris, and welcome to CAF. I’m not Catholic, either, but have wondered the same thing. I assume a Catholic who teaches RCIA or is familiar with the process will clarify that for you.

My best guess is that you can do either/or, but if you still have lingering doubts that would keep you from becoming Catholic after attending RCIA for a few months, I suspect they would not want you to proceed to the next stage until you could assent to all the teachings of the Catholic Church.

For example, if you didn’t believe some of the Marian doctrines or believe in her Immaculate Conception, I doubt they (or you) would want you to join the Catholic Church because I think those are requirements.

However, you asked a great question. I often wondered the same thing but was approaching it from the standpoint that I felt I had to accept everything before I joined RCIA, mainly because I didn’t want to waste their time or resources unless I felt I could overcome my obstacles.
 
Tommy999 said:
My best guess is that you can do either/or, but if you still have lingering doubts that would keep you from becoming Catholic after attending RCIA for a few months, I suspect they would not want you to proceed to the next stage until you could assent to all the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
The Church does not expect converts to be fully formed in their beliefs at the time of their reception. They need only have “Catholic faith,” which means they trust the Church even if they are having difficulty accepting parts of Her teaching.

When I converted, I was on the fence about Assumption and did not yet believe in the Immaculate Conception (!). But I accepted the idea that I was wrong in my doubts and the Church was right (even if I couldn’t understand why or how). That is all that is required of any Catholic (convert or not).
 
There is an initial period of inquiry and discernment.
Even if one decides to proceed, no one is going to hold your feet to the fire at Easter.
Literally. 😉

Many people come to RCIA just because they want to learn about our faith.
It’s expected that people will spend some time mulling it over, and honest inquiry is quite welcome.
 
All I wish to add is make sure you find an RCIA offered by a priest; preferably a traditionally minded priest who isn’t afraid to offer both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite of the Mass. Otherwise there’s a chance you’ll be learning a watered down or even erroneous rendition of Catholicism, though this certainly wouldn’t always be the case. If they use the Baltimore Catechism it’s a good sign; in fact get yourself a copy either way. Welcome home!
 
DavidFilmer said:
The Church does not expect converts to be fully formed in their beliefs at the time of their reception. They need only have “Catholic faith,” which means they trust the Church even if they are having difficulty accepting parts of Her teaching.

When I converted, I was on the fence about Assumption and did not yet believe in the Immaculate Conception (!). But I accepted the idea that I was wrong in my doubts and the Church was right (even if I couldn’t understand why or how). That is all that is required of any Catholic (convert or not).
Click to expand...
Thanks, David. They accepted you in spite of these doubts? I wasn’t aware that was possible, but I trust your word on it. For some reason, I figured you had to be in full concurrence with everything or you would be weeded out after the period of discernment was over. My mistake.
 
pianistclare said:
There is an initial period of inquiry and discernment.
Even if one decides to proceed, no one is going to hold your feet to the fire at Easter.
Literally. 😉

Many people come to RCIA just because they want to learn about our faith.
It’s expected that people will spend some time mulling it over, and honest inquiry is quite welcome.
Click to expand...
Hi Clare,
Do you know how long the initial period of inquiry and discernment is? Also, when does RCIA start at most parishes? is it in the fall?
 
Anyone can attend RCIA for any reason so that answers that.

I was brought up southern baptist and converted two years ago to Catholicism and absolutely love it. My advice is to start attending Mass since it is the center of all Catholic life, find a book that explains the Mass as it really helps understanding and brings greater meaning to the experience and definitely attend RCIA.

Have an open heart to what you learn about the Eucharist and the Holy Mother and the experience will literally be life altering. If you have access to a Chapel of Adoration in your area please make use of it and spend time in prayer with the physical presence of Christ.

Best of luck with your journey and God bless.
 
Tommy999 said:
Hi Clare,
Do you know how long the initial period of inquiry and discernment is? Also, when does RCIA start at most parishes? is it in the fall?
Click to expand...
In the fall most likely in September but some start in early October. Typically 6 months out from Easter but the time flys.
 
Tommy999 said:
Hi Clare,
Do you know how long the initial period of inquiry and discernment is? Also, when does RCIA start at most parishes? is it in the fall?
Click to expand...
As with all things in RCIA, the answer is “as long as it needs to be.” In many parishes, however, they expect everyone to move from one stage to another as a group (as if all of our spiritual journeys were identical!).

The rite actually has the signs that show someone is ready to move on from the Inquiry stage:

RCIA 42. The prerequisite for making this first step is that the beginnings of the spiritual life and the fundamentals of Christian teaching have taken root in the candidates. Thus there must be evidence of the first faith that was conceived during the period of evangelization and precatechumenate and of an initial conversion and intention to change their lives and to enter into a relationship with God in Christ. Consequently there must also be evidence of the first stirrings of repentance, a start to the practice of calling upon God in prayer, a sense of the Church, and some experience of the company and spirit of Christians through contact with a priest or with members of the community. The candidates should also be instructed about the celebration of the liturgical rite of acceptance.

This actually relates to those who will enter the catechumenate (that is, those who are currently unbaptized), but it gives a sense of what should be happening during the Inquiry phase.
 
Tommy999 said:
Hi Clare,
Do you know how long the initial period of inquiry and discernment is? Also, when does RCIA start at most parishes? is it in the fall?
Click to expand...
It varies per parish. Ours is 2.5 months. Essentially 10 classes.
RCIA starts in many parishes after Labor Day. I think you’ll find that over the summer they start advertising, or you can call the parish to get your name on the email blast for the first session.
If you don’t have a sponsor, they’ll secure one fro you. Someone to walk the path with you, maybe attend classes now and then with you, answer questions per the Catechism, and pray fro your intentions. Your new best friend. 😉

Some parishes favor a 2 year stint (which is what the Rite recommends).
We do a one year plan.

Hope it works out for you, You have been in our prayers for a good outcome for your and your family, whatever you decide.
 
ServusHumilis said:
All I wish to add is make sure you find an RCIA offered by a priest; preferably a traditionally minded priest who isn’t afraid to offer both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite of the Mass. Otherwise there’s a chance you’ll be learning a watered down or even erroneous rendition of Catholicism, though this certainly wouldn’t always be the case. If they use the Baltimore Catechism it’s a good sign; in fact get yourself a copy either way. Welcome home!
Click to expand...
Ditto :thumbsup:ditto :thumbsup:ditto :thumbsup:ditto
 
Antegin said:
Ditto :thumbsup:ditto :thumbsup:ditto :thumbsup:ditto
Click to expand...
Well, that would have to be a really tiny parish or one with many priests.
Most RCIA programs are run by Lay people or Deacons.
And they do just fine, thanks
Please don’t let the fear of not “possible” bad instruction keep you from classes.
Plenty of time to become jaded…:rolleyes:

Seriously, do your homework. Find a program that is good by speaking to people around the Diocese. Call the Chancery. Make inquiries. Everything good takes some research.

Good luck!
 
auctoris said:
I’m not sure of the correct forum to post this, so I’ll try it here.

I’ll ask the question first, then give some background. Should you start RCIA after you’ve decided you want to join the Church or in order to decide if you want to join the Church?

I come from a lifelong Southern Baptist background and have been studying Catholicism for several years. I have already found the answers to a lot of my questions. I would like to move forward, but I still have a few lingering questions.

Should I join RCIA in order to get these questions answered and make my decision, or should I have already decided I’m going to join the Church when I start RCIA?

Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be great.

Thanks
Click to expand...
The actual answer is either/or. When I converted there were several of my classmates who were certain they would be Catholic from day one. Some of us were searching and made our decision along the way. For me personally I committed to actually going through to confirmation in early February of my class.

I’ve been on the RCIA team since going through it. There is never any pressure to commit to going through to the Easter Vigil until the Easter Vigil. But by Holy Week most people know if they’re going to go through with conversion.
 
Tommy999 said:
Hi Clare,
Do you know how long the initial period of inquiry and discernment is? Also, when does RCIA start at most parishes? is it in the fall?
Click to expand...
Check with your local parishes NOW. In the local diocese here they start registering in the summer and have informal Q & A’s now. I tried enrolling in Sept and was too late, missed out on the books, handouts, etc. If you are married and have any marriage issues like a divorce you will want to start working with a priest ASAP. The questions you are asking here you may get wrong answers for, check your local diocese or parish.
 
:eek:
pianistclare said:
Well, that would have to be a really tiny parish or one with many priests.
Most RCIA programs are run by Lay people or Deacons.
And they do just fine, thanks
Please don’t let the fear of not “possible” bad instruction keep you from classes.
Plenty of time to become jaded…:rolleyes:

Seriously, do your homework. Find a program that is good by speaking to people around the Diocese. Call the Chancery. Make inquiries. Everything good takes some research.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
It’s not so much that it be a priest but that you don’t get one of these liberals who think the Church should be a democracy and when Christ’s teachings are too hard we should soften them. This is what I am working with now. The only reason I don’t quit is…
:bigyikes::doh2::slapfight: I need an emoji for pulling my hair out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top