Why does it take so long to become Catholic?

[onthenarrowpath]

Really - I hope my question is received in the spirit in which I’m asking. The process for becoming Catholic seems to take so long. Why is that? Is RCIA necessary for all people?

Strange as this may sound, I’m really wanting to convert but I keep putting it off because it seems I don’t have the patience to go through the involved process of RCIA before I can actually be confirmed and partake in communion. I believe in and accept Jesus Christ, I believe in transubstantiation (the Real Presence), I understand the Immaculate Conception (would maybe need some questions answered about that), I understand and accept the Papacy, purgatory isn’t an issue that trips me up, I maybe have a few questions about why certain things are done…but they are things that, in my mind, could be cleared up quickly.

I’ve been studying Catholicism for a number of years now, and I wonder: Do I have to wait until next Easter or some particular time of year before I can be confirmed as Catholic? It seems in the early days of the church right after Pentecost, they were baptizing and adding people to the church quickly. Why does it take so long now?

 

[runningdude]

I can sympathize. I actually dropped out of after school religious education in the 4th or 5th grade for a few years because it was boring and time consuming. I already knew the basics, I never stopped going to mass and had a strong faith throughout.

But I reentered it in about the 7th grade when they moved it to a more convenient evening time, and of course stuck with it through confirmation. I just graduated college, and looking back, I think the most important part was moving through the process with people my own age and getting the chance to connect with them. Sure a lot the nuts and bolts of the faith fell on deaf ears, but the community formed by the common experience is an important part of being a Catholic.

Plus, in a totally unexpected aspect was my confirmation retreat. I was excited, but not expecting much. But it was there, during the most reverent and moving adoration and benedictions I’ve seen to date that I came to fully comprehend the mystery and awe of the Eucharist!

So yes, the process is time consuming and requires patience, but it can also be a great way to connect with others in the faith, and be surprised by it if your open to it

 

[SonCatcher]

Let me see if I understand correctly. You have been delaying entry into the Catholic Church because the process takes too long? I’m sure you know you could have been received by now if you entered RCIA as soon as you realized you want to be Catholic.

You are correct that the reception of an adult into the Church is only permitted at Easter (except for the case of extreme need).

As for how much instruction you need prior to confirmation, I recommend you talk to a priest. Indeed, you may not need much. I inferred from Scott Hahn’s story that he asked to be received during Holy Week (I don’t recommend you wait - you won’t force anyone’s hand).

EDIT: runningdude is correct about the community built around the experience. Others will be going through the same thing and someone will be vouching for you before the church (your sponsor - like Barnabas bringing Paul before the Apostles).

 

[bnbkaine]

RCIA is wonderful. I was a cradle Catholic but didn’t get Confirmed. I went through it three years ago and I believed everything that we learned, but there is so much out there. You can spend your whole life learning about the Faith and still only scratch the surface. I am glad that there is no theological impediment for you coming into the Church. I just wonder why you are uninterested in taking the steps.

I can assure you that you will learn a lot going through RCIA. Even if you don’t, there are a couple things to keep in mind. The first is that obedience is always the greater sacrifice. The Church asks someone who wants to become a member of the Church to go through RCIA. That should be your whole answer. If you cannot be obedient in this, when will you become obedient? Also, RCIA used to be a multi-year process extending into two or three years. It is really hard to cover everything one should know in a matter of months, but people who want to become fully initiated can do it in that time frame.

Perhaps the time commitment keeps people from becoming Catholic. Okay. I am fine with that. I have a friend who was interested in the Church, but her husband said that to be a Catholic takes a lot of time, so now there is no interest. Not to be mean, but I would rather have a handful of good, faithful Catholics than a thousand lukewarm ones.

 

[dnu]

So long? Seriously?

The process to enter into full communion with the Christian Church is the shortest it has ever been. In the early centuries, the process could take anywhere from as few as 3 years to as long as 10 years. The measely seven months or so required today to become a Christian is a walk in the park.

 

[dottyefarrell]

Really - I hope my question is received in the spirit in which I’m asking. The process for becoming Catholic seems to take so long. Why is that? Is RCIA necessary for all people?

Strange as this may sound, I’m really wanting to convert but I keep putting it off because it seems I don’t have the patience to go through the involved process of RCIA before I can actually be confirmed and partake in communion. I believe in and accept Jesus Christ, I believe in transubstantiation (the Real Presence), I understand the Immaculate Conception (would maybe need some questions answered about that), I understand and accept the Papacy, purgatory isn’t an issue that trips me up, I maybe have a few questions about why certain things are done…but they are things that, in my mind, could be cleared up quickly.

I’ve been studying Catholicism for a number of years now, and I wonder: Do I have to wait until next Easter or some particular time of year before I can be confirmed as Catholic? It seems in the early days of the church right after Pentecost, they were baptizing and adding people to the church quickly. Why does it take so long now?

Hi,
When my husband converted back in 1987, he and I attended RCIA at my Parish from September through Easter. It was a very long process, involving weekly meetings and Mass together as a group every Sunday, but in retrospect, it was well worth all the time invested. Our group of Catecumens, Candidates, and Sponsors became VERY close, and supported each other all through the process. I was a sponsor for the wife of a friend, and a friend from the Folk group that I played with was my husband’s sponsor. I would still recommend to you to go the RCIA route rather than rush through. Your understanding will be deeper, and your experience will be richer.

I will tell you that you can opt to meet with a Parish priest one-on-one to take your training also. Depending upon where you live, you will have to study with a priest who has the free time to do the instruction himself. In our area at least, that it not an easy thing to do, due to the lack of priests. But, if you are able to find an available and willing priest, that is another option for you.

God bless you on your journey.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

There are a number of different issues involved here.

One is that RCIA is really aimed at people seeking baptism. Those who are already baptized aren’t required to go through RCIA but realistically, that is what most parishes have available for people seeking to become Catholic.

Even if baptized candidates go through RCIA they don’t have to be confirmed at the Easter Vigil. They could easily be received into the Church at another time. However, it seems that most parishes bring both catechumens and candidates into the Church at the same time and that time is the Easter Vigil.

Then you get into questions of what RCIA should include and how long it should take. RCIA is not only catechism classes so how much you know about what Catholics believe is only one aspect. There are other elements involved. One is that RCIA is a time for starting to think and act as a Catholic. Even if you’ve been studying the Catechism, it still takes time for you to start thinking and acting Catholic. For example, “thinking Catholic” means understanding how important it is to go to Mass. If I’m traveling, I check out masstimes.org to see where there will be a nearby church and what times they have Mass. Typically when someone starts RCIA, this isn’t something that is important to them. But by the time they’re getting close to being received into the Church, it’s common for them to talk about finding a Mass where they’ll be staying on vacation or while visiting relatives. Sunday Mass has become important to them in a way it wasn’t when they started.

RCIA is also a way of becoming part of a parish. You should have the opportunity to get to know different people and groups in the parish and they should get to know you. I’ve had people in RCIA start to take part in activities like hospitality and social justice while they’re still in RCIA. They’re starting to make the connections that will be important to them after RCIA is finished.

A third element that is part of RCIA, but may already be in place if you’re a Christian, is getting to know Jesus and developing a relationship with him. This is probably more of an issue for someone who has had very little exposure to Christianity and what it means to be a disciple.

None of this happens overnight or according to someone’s timetable. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit and you have to give it time and space to happen.

 

[dnu]

At our parish, RCIA was only an hour every wednesday evening with two or three “interviews” with the Deacons thrown in the mix that took about 45 minutes to an hour. Nothing too grueling about that unless your parish is more intensive than that. I actually thought our RCIA was quite a joke. I learned more from this site than I did the RCIA where they just skimmed the pertinent sections of the Catechism.

Just go through the motions and get it over with, it’s worth it .

 

[tijeras]

I suppose it takes so long because the Church wants to make sure you really understand what you’re getting into. It’s a big commitment, the most important one you’ll ever make. Would you really want your discernment process to go too fast?

And that’s how I think it might be useful to think of it - it’s part of your discernment process.

I like what someone said about obedience. It’s very important and very neglected in our instant-gratification culture. So maybe you can think of it as training in obedience if you really think you’re not going to “get anything out of it.”

But also keep in mind two things:

1. you’re not becoming Catholic in a vacuum. You’re in a parish community and RCIA is a great way to get plugged into that community. It’s rad for everyone to know and see these new people who actually want in! I LOVE seeing the posters up in Church with pictures of those going through RCIA, watching them in all the different rites, pulling a name out of a basket to pray for one of them, etc. It bolsters me in my faith. Also, as I recall from when my dad was converting when I was a child and we’d walk over to the rectory with him after Mass where they’d have donuts for the RCIA families before those in RCIA got started with their classes, it’s really great to have the community of fellow seekers/catechumens/candidates, etc.
2. You don’t know what you don’t know. You listed some things in your post about what you know that should maybe qualify you to just come on in. But give your RCIA teachers the benefit of the doubt and go in thinking you may have some stuff to learn after all.

RCIA is shorter than an academic year and typically only meets once a week right? I’m sure we’ve all taken other classes that were way longer and actually were a waste of time, but we did it because we wanted to graduate/get that driver’s license/it was a pre-requisite to something we really wanted to take. Maybe think of it as your pre-requisite. I know some programs can be lame and boring, but others are totally awesome. I hope yours is totally awesome. Welcome!

 

[JRKH]

Really - I hope my question is received in the spirit in which I’m asking. The process for becoming Catholic seems to take so long. Why is that? Is RCIA necessary for all people?

Strange as this may sound, I’m really wanting to convert but I keep putting it off because it seems I don’t have the patience to go through the involved process of RCIA before I can actually be confirmed and partake in communion. I believe in and accept Jesus Christ, I believe in transubstantiation (the Real Presence), I understand the Immaculate Conception (would maybe need some questions answered about that), I understand and accept the Papacy, purgatory isn’t an issue that trips me up, I maybe have a few questions about why certain things are done…but they are things that, in my mind, could be cleared up quickly.

I’ve been studying Catholicism for a number of years now, and I wonder: Do I have to wait until next Easter or some particular time of year before I can be confirmed as Catholic? It seems in the early days of the church right after Pentecost, they were baptizing and adding people to the church quickly. Why does it take so long now?

Does entering the Church take longer than other important decisions in ones Life?
How long do many people take to discern their major in college?
How long does one spend in discerning their spouse?
How much time and effort do we expend in choosing a house to buy? (including saving up etc)

Perhaps the best example might be someone entering the military.
They spend a lot of time before hand determining that this is really what they want to do. Yet even when they decide and go sign the papers thay are not a “soldier” yet. First they must go through intensive training starting with boot camp and progressing into speciallized schools that take up to a year or more before tehy are “combat ready”.

The Church, with her Godly gifts and Her reverence for the most Holy Eucharist is like this. She wants her children to be well prepared when they receive communion for the first time. So she takes the time to teach beforehand.

I hope this helps to give some perspective.

Also - on putting it off. I did this years ago in reference to going back to School - kept putting it off, until finally I realized (as someone mentioned above) that the time was going to pass regardless and in three years I was could either stll be where I was, or I could have my associates degree. I went back to school as soon as I could arrange it.

Please take steps to get started.

Peace
James

 

[sinnerdexter]

Really - I hope my question is received in the spirit in which I’m asking. The process for becoming Catholic seems to take so long. Why is that? Is RCIA necessary for all people?

Strange as this may sound, I’m really wanting to convert but I keep putting it off because it seems I don’t have the patience to go through the involved process of RCIA before I can actually be confirmed and partake in communion. I believe in and accept Jesus Christ, I believe in transubstantiation (the Real Presence), I understand the Immaculate Conception (would maybe need some questions answered about that), I understand and accept the Papacy, purgatory isn’t an issue that trips me up, I maybe have a few questions about why certain things are done…but they are things that, in my mind, could be cleared up quickly.

I’ve been studying Catholicism for a number of years now, and I wonder: Do I have to wait until next Easter or some particular time of year before I can be confirmed as Catholic? It seems in the early days of the church right after Pentecost, they were baptizing and adding people to the church quickly. Why does it take so long now?

God has a perfect timing for all things in our lives. We all desire and believe for good things to happen in our lives, NOW - not later.

As we continously mature as in the Catholic Christian life (or studying Catholism), we learn to believe for things “Not now” but in God’s perfect timing.

Trusting God often requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when He will do it. We always say, “God is never late,” but He is generally not early either. Why? Because He uses those opportunities to stretch our faith in Him, and we grow during times of waiting.

 

[sinnerdexter]

Does entering the Church take longer than other important decisions in ones Life?
How long do many people take to discern their major in college?
How long does one spend in discerning their spouse?
How much time and effort do we expend in choosing a house to buy? (including saving up etc)

Perhaps the best example might be someone entering the military.
They spend a lot of time before hand determining that this is really what they want to do. Yet even when they decide and go sign the papers thay are not a “soldier” yet. First they must go through intensive training starting with boot camp and progressing into speciallized schools that take up to a year or more before tehy are “combat ready”.

The Church, with her Godly gifts and Her reverence for the most Holy Eucharist is like this. She wants her children to be well prepared when they receive communion for the first time. So she takes the time to teach beforehand.

I hope this helps to give some perspective.

Also - on putting it off. I did this years ago in reference to going back to School - kept putting it off, until finally I realized (as someone mentioned above) that the time was going to pass regardless and in three years I was could either stll be where I was, or I could have my associates degree. I went back to school as soon as I could arrange it.

Please take steps to get started.

Peace
James

The rreason is that God is teaching us lessons in trust. Trust is not inherited; it is learned. We learn to trust God by going through various experiences that require trust. But seeing God’s faithfulness over and over, we let go of trusting ourselves, and gradually we enter God’s rest and place our trust iin Him.

It is easy to see how timing plays an important part in learning to trust God. If He did everything we asked for immediately, we would never grow and develop. Timing and trust are twins. They work side by side.

 

[onthenarrowpath]

Wow. I didn’t realize I’d have so many replies when I logged into the forums this morning. Having left the message so late last evening, and knowing this is Sunday morning, I guess I wasn’t expecting anything until after church this afternoon. Admittedly, I haven’t read every response fully, but I assure you I will. Thank you all so much for caring enough to respond so soon.

Having said that, I want to add a quick note for now, because I have to be getting ready for a Father’s Day brunch. In skimming over the responses thus far, I wonder if maybe I should have rephrased what I said about not having the patience to go through the RCIA process. Sometimes I don’t know how to express my thoughts clearly without trying to explain what I mean. Giving such a brief statement as I did in the OP doesn’t quite express what I meant. I suppose I should probably go into greater depth regarding my thoughts and background. I want to clarify that it wasn’t my intention to “brush aside” the RCIA process. More than anything, I was asking if the RCIA process is necessary in order to understand “the basics” (for lack of a better way of saying it) of being a “true” Christian in the Catholic Church - one who believes and accepts all that the church requires in order to participate in communion at Mass. (My understanding is that the church will not allow a non-Catholic to receive the host. I was baptized in an Assembly of God church 25 years ago.) To the one who mentioned it: I’m not sure I understand why there is a “discernment” process involved in determining if one is being called to become Christian. It sounds as though the church needs to determine if someone is being called to salvation. What happens if the church determines one is not? Are they damned to hell?

Anyway, the main point of my OP was to express that I’m anxious to participate in communion, but it seems like I have to wait in order to receive the Lord. In my Protestant-formed mind, I can’t understand why the Lord would say “you must wait before you can receive me”, when all along I thought the invitation was to “Come to me…all are welcome…now is the time of salvation…”, etc.

More later…I need to get ready for a brunch.

 

[puzzleannie]

RCIA takes as long as it takes. There is a prescribed minimum the catechumenate for unbaptized persons, which is one full liturgical year from Lent to Easter of the following year, once the person has been through an inquiry or pre-evangelization process, followed by no less than 50 days of mystagogy “study of the mysteries” following baptism. There is no prescribed maximum because everyone is different, starts from a different place, has different personal issues to resolve and so forth. In the case of baptized Christians from other denominations the time is even more personal and no it is not necessary or even desireable for him to wait for Easter to be received.

OP has not made clear whether or not he is baptized, whether or not he has a grounding in the Gospels and Christian Creed, and whether or not he has experience in the live and practice of the Catholic Faith. He has not even said whether or not he has discussed any of this with the pastor of the Catholic parish where he wishes to be received, which is his next logical step.

 

[JRKH]

Wow. I didn’t realize I’d have so many replies when I logged into the forums this morning. Having left the message so late last evening, and knowing this is Sunday morning, I guess I wasn’t expecting anything until after church this afternoon. Admittedly, I haven’t read every response fully, but I assure you I will. Thank you all so much for caring enough to respond so soon.

Having said that, I want to add a quick note for now, because I have to be getting ready for a Father’s Day brunch. In skimming over the responses thus far, I wonder if maybe I should have rephrased what I said about not having the patience to go through the RCIA process. Sometimes I don’t know how to express my thoughts clearly without trying to explain what I mean. Giving such a brief statement as I did in the OP doesn’t quite express what I meant. I suppose I should probably go into greater depth regarding my thoughts and background. I want to clarify that it wasn’t my intention to “brush aside” the RCIA process. **More than anything, I was asking if the RCIA process is necessary in order to understand “the basics” (for lack of a better way of saying it) of being a “true” Christian in the Catholic Church - one who believes and accepts all that the church requires in order to participate in communion at Mass. ** (My understanding is that the church will not allow a non-Catholic to receive the host. I was baptized in an Assembly of God church 25 years ago.) To the one who mentioned it: I’m not sure I understand why there is a “discernment” process involved in determining if one is being called to become Christian. It sounds as though the church needs to determine if someone is being called to salvation. What happens if the church determines one is not? Are they damned to hell?

Anyway, the main point of my OP was to express that I’m anxious to participate in communion, but it seems like I have to wait in order to receive the Lord. In my Protestant-formed mind, I can’t understand why the Lord would say “you must wait before you can receive me”, when all along I thought the invitation was to “Come to me…all are welcome…now is the time of salvation…”, etc.

More later…I need to get ready for a brunch.

Just hitting the bolded section.
RCIA may not be strictly necessary but the Church DOES wish to assure that you do really understand. Depending on your backgound, education, nhow much studying you’ve done on own own etc. RCIA might be waived, but that would be unusual and something you’d need to determine between youself and the Priest or DRE etc.

Peace
James

 

[PJM]

=onthenarrowpath;6762670]Really - I hope my question is received in the spirit in which I’m asking. The process for becoming Catholic seems to take so long. Why is that? Is RCIA necessary for all people?

Strange as this may sound, I’m really wanting to convert but I keep putting it off because it seems I don’t have the patience to go through the involved process of RCIA before I can actually be confirmed and partake in communion. I believe in and accept Jesus Christ, I believe in transubstantiation (the Real Presence), I understand the Immaculate Conception (would maybe need some questions answered about that), I understand and accept the Papacy, purgatory isn’t an issue that trips me up, I maybe have a few questions about why certain things are done…but they are things that, in my mind, could be cleared up quickly.

I’ve been studying Catholicism for a number of years now, and I wonder: Do I have to wait until next Easter or some particular time of year before I can be confirmed as Catholic? It seems in the early days of the church right after Pentecost, they were baptizing and adding people to the church quickly. Why does it take so long now?

Entry into the CC requires reception of four sacraments. Christian Baptism, Confession, Eucharist and Confirmation.

This last one; Confirmation requires one to actually know the Catholic Faith before committing to it. Once one commits to he CC they are expected to know, live and share the Faith. One cannot do what one does not know about. Typically an RCIA class last about six months; meeting once per week.

We have 2,000 years of history, teaching and many defined dogma’s and doctrines that you commit too. It is only “scratching the surface” in RCIA.

In the Origins of the Church the process took several years of intensive study; and this was before most of the defined dogma’s and doctrines.

It’s because God will have GREATER expetiations of you as a Catholic than you as a non-Catholic.

If your studies are unguided, not directd; how can you, possibly know what you may have miised, or not understood correctly? It’s for your benefit friend.

Love and prayers,

Love and prayers,

 

[tijeras]

Hi OP, hope you had a great Father’s Day brunch.

Regarding my comment on discernment: I meant your discernment about whether or not you’re really ready for the commitment to the Catholic Church, not about whether or not you should “become a Christian” (it seems that you already are a Christian in the sense of follower of Christ, and your steps into the Catholic Church are about becoming a specifically Catholic Christian, right?).

i think you hit the nail on the head when you pointed out that you’re approaching this from a Protestant standpoint! That makes sense to me. I have Protestant friends who are discovering now, when we’re in our late 20s, that Advent and Lent exist. And they’re like, “whoa, this is cool, you actually PREPARE for Christmas and Easter! It’s not just one day!” Advent and Lent are about waiting, preparing ourselves, purifying ourselves. Catholics have to wait all the time for stuff: parents wanting to baptize their kids need to go to a class, kids wanting first communion have to go to class for one or even two years, teens preparing for Confirmation go to classes for one or two years, engaged couples usually have to wait at least six to nine months, etc. Waiting is a big thing with Catholics, not just like passively waiting at the doctor’s office, but actively using that waiting time to prepare ourselves for these very big deal events (Sacraments) in our lives. They are not to be approached lightly and quickly, not because God isn’t ready for us or something, but because we need to prepare and dispose ourselves towards Him as much as we can. It’s not just about “how much information do I need to absorb before I can receive XYZ?” but really processing what’s taking place in our lives. And if you really think these things are worth waiting for, you go for it, you go through the process. It’s not red tape, it’s time to prepare yourself intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, etc.

 

[Dale_M]

One is that RCIA is really aimed at people seeking baptism. Those who are already baptized aren’t required to go through RCIA but realistically, that is what most parishes have available for people seeking to become Catholic.

Even if baptized candidates go through RCIA they don’t have to be confirmed at the Easter Vigil. They could easily be received into the Church at another time. However, it seems that most parishes bring both catechumens and candidates into the Church at the same time and that time is the Easter Vigil.

When I decided to become Catholic, after a few discussions with the priest, I was encouraged to attend mass, but to not receive the Eucharist until I was confirmed. My prior baptism (Lutheran) and declaration of faith opened all of the sacraments to me, but I was encouraged to go through RCIA and receive confirmation with everyone else. Technically, I already was Catholic, but it was best to move forward in an orderly fashion.

I did receive Healing of the Sick at one point, but otherwise waited. I think the prolonged desire actually made confirmation and first eucharist all the more meaningful to me.

 

[joandarc2008]

Reason 1- There are certain Rites you have to receive as part of the process leading up to your Sacraments

Reason 2- The Catholic Church is about Community - we learn in community and we take our Sacraments (minus Reconciliation for obvious reasons) in community

Reason 3- If you have absolutely outstanding reasons why you don’t fit into the parameters - one young man I knew that came back from practicing necromacy - the priest can get permission from the Archbishop to confirm you in private at another time but you will still need to go through part of the classes depending on where the priest and the archbishop feels you are at.

It seems to me, and I don’t mean to be blunt- that you are coming in with a spirit of what you can take from Christ and not what you can give. If you ARE as advanced as you say in your spiritual studies why should not be in class in order to help others with their growth and study and journey. Or do you plan on coming to Church for Sacraments and leaving and not doing service to Christ? It is not what we take from Him - it is what we give for Him - and this is the basis of community that makes a Church and that is one of the very first and most important lessons you should learn in any religious teaching - SO maybe you should be in RCIA after all.

 

[fdesales]

Wow. I didn’t realize I’d have so many replies when I logged into the forums this morning. Having left the message so late last evening, and knowing this is Sunday morning, I guess I wasn’t expecting anything until after church this afternoon. Admittedly, I haven’t read every response fully, but I assure you I will. Thank you all so much for caring enough to respond so soon.

Having said that, I want to add a quick note for now, because I have to be getting ready for a Father’s Day brunch. In skimming over the responses thus far, I wonder if maybe I should have rephrased what I said about not having the patience to go through the RCIA process. Sometimes I don’t know how to express my thoughts clearly without trying to explain what I mean. Giving such a brief statement as I did in the OP doesn’t quite express what I meant. I suppose I should probably go into greater depth regarding my thoughts and background. I want to clarify that it wasn’t my intention to “brush aside” the RCIA process. More than anything, I was asking if the RCIA process is necessary in order to understand “the basics” (for lack of a better way of saying it) of being a “true” Christian in the Catholic Church - one who believes and accepts all that the church requires in order to participate in communion at Mass. (My understanding is that the church will not allow a non-Catholic to receive the host. I was baptized in an Assembly of God church 25 years ago.) To the one who mentioned it: I’m not sure I understand why there is a “discernment” process involved in determining if one is being called to become Christian. It sounds as though the church needs to determine if someone is being called to salvation. What happens if the church determines one is not? Are they damned to hell?

Anyway, the main point of my OP was to express that I’m anxious to participate in communion, but it seems like I have to wait in order to receive the Lord. In my Protestant-formed mind, I can’t understand why the Lord would say “you must wait before you can receive me”, when all along I thought the invitation was to “Come to me…all are welcome…now is the time of salvation…”, etc.

More later…I need to get ready for a brunch.

The process of becoming a fully-initiated Catholic requires a lot of time, whether as an adult, or as an infant first being baptised, up to his confirmation. At any rate, we are always converting and transforming into “another Christ”, so the process is never “done” until we are presented immaculate and pure to the Groom. Perhaps an understanding of what RCIA is would be of help.

RCIA is a period of sacramental formation. We begin to learn about experiencing Jesus Christ through Sacramentalism - and not necessarily only the formal 7 Sacraments. This period of formation will vary for each person, depending upon the liturgical experience of a candidate. Opening ourselves to the meaning of the liturgy takes time. In addition, the person is brought into communion with the local community - which is often a larger community than the candidate came from (if a Protestant). Getting to know other people and realizing how we can best use the gifts of the Spirit in the service of this community also takes time. Experiencing Christ in this new manner and setting takes some time.

So while there are shorter paths to become fully initiated, most RCIA programs will suggest that a candidate consider taking the route that the Church suggests, which encompasses the longer time frame. The Church is like a mother who wants the best for us. Sometimes, that means doing things in a manner that might not make the best sense, or in a more difficult way. But I think most candidates who ‘qualify’ for the quicker path and ‘endure’ the longer one are quite happy that they did…

Regards