Why does baptismal catechesis take two years?

[casslean]

This hits at my long-time big complaint.

RCIA is not a “course”.

We tend to think of it as “school”. It’s not. I wish the words “RCIA” and “classes” would never appear one after the other.

I didn’t mean “course” as in “school”. I meant “course” as “path”.

We tended to refer to RCIA as a “journey”. The language grew on me, I guess.

 

[Phemie]

I didn’t mean “course” as in “school”. I meant “course” as “path”.

We tended to refer to RCIA as a “journey”. The language grew on me, I guess.

It’s a journey with a goal but not a fixed timeline.

 

[SMHW]

The first bishop of Cincinnati, Bishop Fenwick, used to go out and visit isolated Catholic communities. But he would also go speak and preach to anybody who asked him, especially Protestant communities. Sometimes he did debates, but mostly he just explained what Catholicism was, to dispel untruths and misconceptions.

On one occasion, some of the Protestant people at his speech explaining Catholicism were so impressed that they trailed behind him as he went to leave; and when they passed a stream, they quoted the eunuch in Acts and said, “Is there any reason why I cannot be baptized?” And the bishop did it, and they were Catholics after that.

So apparently, a couple of hours of extremely general catechesis is plenty.

As told the story has really narrow applications in regard to RCIA. While I realize that some people may call themselves Protestant and not be (validly) baptized this would not be the usual circumstance. Most Protestants ARE baptized. And even if not baptized, they would likely have a Christian background. While many parishes do bring baptized Christians into the Church in a way similar to the unbaptized, the design of the RCIA is more geared to non-Christians.

 

[SMHW]

I didn’t mean “course” as in “school”. I meant “course” as “path”.

We tended to refer to RCIA as a “journey”. The language grew on me, I guess.

Sorry. I think I knew you meant course in the sense of a path. Like Phemie said, we journey at our own speed. Some of us start the course as experienced trekkers and some of us are barely able to walk.

 

[Neofight]

Another thought.

The RCIA is designed for the protection of the Church.

It protects the Church from the individual who is not ready or willing to be a Christian. And it likewise protects the individual from himself by making sure he does not make a rash decision.

Except disciples of Christ are chosen, they do not volunteer. (John 15:16)

In all gospel accounts of calling of disciples, Christ expected those he called (and they did) to immediately follow. There is not one single successful instance of someone volunteering to become a disciple.

 

[jeannetherese]

It’s strange, the RCIA for me was 9 months, but the one for the kids (7&8 year olds) is 2 years. maybe they think that the adults can grasp more info at once, and it takes longer for the kids so it’s doled out slower?

Perhaps you might take your children to a FSSP parish in your area for private instruction with the priest. He’ll know when they have received sufficient instruction and can recommend materials for you to use at home to assist in their preparation.
May God bless you and your family.
Amen.

 

[baliano]

It would make more sense to take two years in Confirmation formation and conferring Baptism upon request. There is some sensibility in the concept that Baptism is the reclaiming of the soul for Christ while Confirmation is the true formation of ones understanding of Catholicism.

 

[casslean]

It would make more sense to take two years in Confirmation formation and conferring Baptism upon request. There is some sensibility in the concept that Baptism is the reclaiming of the soul for Christ while Confirmation is the true formation of ones understanding of Catholicism.

In RCIA, all of the initiation sacraments are conferred at the same time (baptism, confirmation, and first communion. That’s why the need for catechesis prior to baptism.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

It would make more sense to take two years in Confirmation formation and conferring Baptism upon request. There is some sensibility in the concept that Baptism is the reclaiming of the soul for Christ while Confirmation is the true formation of ones understanding of Catholicism.

That’s not what confirmation is. Even infants can be confirmed – standard practice among Eastern Catholics and in case of emergency among Latin Catholics.

 

[SMHW]

Except disciples of Christ are chosen, they do not volunteer. (John 15:16)

In all gospel accounts of calling of disciples, Christ expected those he called (and they did) to immediately follow. There is not one single successful instance of someone volunteering to become a disciple.

True. But the disciples of Jesus also spent several years with Him their Faith grew and matured. Jesus had many disciples other than the Apostles and some of them chose to leave after he told them he would give them his flesh and blood.

We treat catechumens as members of the Church but we are not once-saved-always-saved Christians. Our salvation plays out over time.

 

[baliano]

That’s not what confirmation is. Even infants can be confirmed – standard practice among Eastern Catholics and in case of emergency among Latin Catholics.

Perhaps in theory but I was Baptised without my knowledge as an infant and studied pretty hard for my Confirmation! I do understand that at one time Confirmation preceded Baptism and some are pushing for that sequence today. In the event Confirmation does precede Baptism I can easily see the automatic versus educated aspects in reverse of my personal experience.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

When infants are confirmed they must be baptized first. So the order is baptism, confirmation, Eucharist. In the Latin Church there’s a gap between baptism and confirmation and we’ve messed up the order so that often children receive communion around the age of 7 then confirmation sometime in their teens. Some dioceses are going back to the restored order – baptism, then confirmation and communion together when the child is around the age of 7.

 

[baliano]

When infants are confirmed they must be baptized first. So the order is baptism, confirmation, Eucharist. In the Latin Church there’s a gap between baptism and confirmation and we’ve messed up the order so that often children receive communion around the age of 7 then confirmation sometime in their teens. Some dioceses are going back to the restored order – baptism, then confirmation and communion together when the child is around the age of 7.

Yes, that is the order I remember; Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, I think I was 12 at my Confirmation. If the Confirmation candidate is to be properly educated and properly disposed I assume there should be some education and examination; can that be properly achieved at the age of seven? We are talking about students in the second grade of elementary school for most seven year olds.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

And you’ve brought up a very basic issue. What education or examination does the Church require in order to confirm? Read the Catechism or canon law – there is no requirement that a candidate for confirmation demonstrates some level of knowledge that says “now I am an educated Catholic.”

Some understanding of the sacrament – that it is the completion and strengthening of baptismal grace – is needed. Similarly, a 7-year-old preparing for First Communion needs some understanding of the sacrament (as well as Reconciliation). But it’s at a child’s level of understanding. With continued formation that understanding will grow.

If we returned to confirming infants, or at the very least confirming young children before communion, we could get away from the idea that confirmation is a sacrament of maturity or rite of passage for teenagers to leave any further religious education.

 

[Phemie]

Yes, that is the order I remember; Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, I think I was 12 at my Confirmation. If the Confirmation candidate is to be properly educated and properly disposed I assume there should be some education and examination; can that be properly achieved at the age of seven? We are talking about students in the second grade of elementary school for most seven year olds.

You teach them to the level of their understanding. I was confirmed when I was a 6 or 7 – I had the same teacher both years so it’s difficult to remember – and it wasn’t that difficult to grasp the concept of receiving the Holy Spirit and his special gifts.
A child who is in danger of dying is supposed to be confirmed. He need know nothing, in fact he can be only a few hours old. OTOH, said child may not receive Communion unless he is able to distinguish the Host from regular bread and be able to receive reverently.