Why so long before being allowed to commune?

[amans_veritatis]

We’re considering beginning RCIA in the Fall, and as I understand it, we would be considered catechumen and not allowed to partake of the Eucharist until the following Easter. My wife asked why this process takes so long, considering passages in the New Testament where it seems like those who profess faith are immediately initiated into full communion with the Church. Has the process of confirmation (does that happen at the end of RCIA) always been like this?

 

[benedictgal]

We’re considering beginning RCIA in the Fall, and as I understand it, we would be considered catechumen and not allowed to partake of the Eucharist until the following Easter. My wife asked why this process takes so long, considering passages in the New Testament where it seems like those who profess faith are immediately initiated into full communion with the Church. Has the process of confirmation (does that happen at the end of RCIA) always been like this?

There needs to be sufficient time for the catehcumen to study and understand the Faith. After all, this will the Faith the catechumen will be practicing for the rest of his life. Furthermore, there is also a time of discernment. Being a Catholic is a life-long commtment, kind of like marriage, because baptism is permanent.

Incidentally, there was a time frame in the early Church for those who were considering becoming Christian. Remember that because of the onset of persecutions, folks who wanted to convert had to be sure about what they wanted to do and the Church had to be sure about them. During the early Church, the only ones who could fully participate in the mysteries were those who were completely inititated. It’s the same concept here, minus the persecution.

 

[amans_veritatis]

Thanks for your help, Benedictgal. What happened if a catechumen died during the catechumenate, before partaking of any of the sacraments?

 

[TexCatholic4JMJ]

Thanks for your help, Benedictgal. What happened if a catechumen died during the catechumenate, before partaking of any of the sacraments?

The catechumen, having seriously expressed believing in the one,
true church, would be saved. Perhaps if that person calls for a
priest and is able, he or she could then be baptised, and be able
to confess and then receive communion.
When our teacher (Sister Mary Andrew—in third grade) spoke to
us about death-bed conversions (who would then be wisked to
heaven), we would be a little jealous that the converts could just
get in without a lifetime of being a catholic. (Remember we were
third graders! LOL)
Not sure if it is still called “Baptism of Desire” but if the deathbed
secenario doesn’t take place, then the Baptism of Desire does.

 

[puzzleannie]

We’re considering beginning RCIA in the Fall, and as I understand it, we would be considered catechumen and not allowed to partake of the Eucharist until the following Easter. My wife asked why this process takes so long, considering passages in the New Testament where it seems like those who profess faith are immediately initiated into full communion with the Church. Has the process of confirmation (does that happen at the end of RCIA) always been like this?

au contraire, in the early church people sometimes remained catechumens for years before being considered ready for baptism, and the final instruction and penitential period was conducted in the weeks before Easter by the bishop himself, often in his own household, the original purpose for Lent. They were not instructed on the “mysteries” the sacraments themselves until after they had been baptized, confirmed, and communed.

You refer only to communion in your title, yet use the word “catechumen” in your post. A catechumen is one who is unbaptized. Baptized Christians requesting full communion in the Catholic Church are candidates and their preparation process is different, often shorter, and respects their unique status. As for how long it takes, it takes as long as it takes, everyone is started from a different place and it is not the same for everyone.

as was the case in the early church, once a catechumen has declared their intent to proceed to baptism, now formalized in the rite of acceptance, they would be entitled to a Catholic funeral should they die, and if martyred–as often happened-- would be considered saved, and if not, presumed to have died in the desire for baptism and hence saved.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Many entering the Church today still go through years of preparation.

I myself was not communicated for 8-1/2 years, nor confirmed for another 5-1/2 years beyond that.

tee

 

[Schluns]

As one who entered the Church last Easter, I can say that waiting to receive communion was very hard for me as I had started attending mass 18 months earlier. The preparation for the catechumen and candidate were the same, the only difference were a few of the Mass rites/presentations prior to Easter. At least in my parish.

I cannot add to the Why of waiting as the previous posts cover that well, I would only detract by repeating or adding my 2 cents.

However, I cannot say that I would change a thing in regard to the culmination of entering the Church on Easter and receiving communion at that time.

 

[Newbie2]

It may be difficult, but at least it’s not a penance like they had in the old, old days, that could last for weeks or months. Different sacrament, but things that are worthwhile are worth waiting for.

 

[Mrs_V]

I remember that during and even before RCIA - the waiting was so hard. My confirmation was so beautiful! Well worth the wait.

 

[psr13]

I understand that they want you to fully know the teachings; however, I find the wait to be ridiculous. If you don’t get in that window of registration you have to wait over a year. I’m sorry, but there is absolutely no reason for that. This is one area I am very critical of in the Church teachings. One person wants to register in October. Oh, sorry, registration was last month. You can’t start until next year and must wait until that Easter to become a full member.

 

[Drilling4Truth]

The issue with Easter only reception into the Church is based on logistics and scheduling.

I did RCIA at a large public university’s Catholic student center. I began the process in January and was received with my group in late October. This was only because we had so many people doing RCIA that it warranted 2 separate groups: one that began in the start of the Fall semester, the second that began in the start of the Spring semester. Smaller local parishes are limited in their resources and volunteer RCIA instructors.

I had to wait 9 months before being received into the Church and trust me, it’s worth the wait.

 

[Schluns]

I understand that they want you to fully know the teachings; however, I find the wait to be ridiculous. If you don’t get in that window of registration you have to wait over a year. I’m sorry, but there is absolutely no reason for that. This is one area I am very critical of in the Church teachings. One person wants to register in October. Oh, sorry, registration was last month. You can’t start until next year and must wait until that Easter to become a full member.

When I had decided to convert I was offered the ability to begin RCIA in the spring and enter the faith in September, but chose to wait as I thought that Easter would be more special to me, and you know, I was right. Also, in my parish you can enroll in RCIA late, they have someone who volunteers to teach ‘make up’ classes. Even after deciding to switch from my old parish to the new parish halfway through RCIA I was still accepted even knowing the poor job of catechesis that the prior parish was doing. If I had been asked to wait until this year, I still would have waited.

Entering into covenants without discernment is why we have such a wonderful divorce rate in this country.

The Patience is well worth it. Plus waiting is a growing experience.

 

[puzzleannie]

I understand that they want you to fully know the teachings; however, I find the wait to be ridiculous. If you don’t get in that window of registration you have to wait over a year. .

I am sorry that is the plan in your parish, as it is NOT the plan envisioned in the RCIA which should be a year round process and welcome new inquirers any time during the year. It is also not envisioned by RCIA that this be the plan for baptized Catholics seeking confirmation, nor for baptized Christians seeking full communion. It may pay to keep looking for another parish that is really on the program.

 

[psr13]

I am sorry that is the plan in your parish, as it is NOT the plan envisioned in the RCIA which should be a year round process and welcome new inquirers any time during the year. It is also not envisioned by RCIA that this be the plan for baptized Catholics seeking confirmation, nor for baptized Christians seeking full communion. It may pay to keep looking for another parish that is really on the program.

Every parish I’ve contacted in both states I have lived in have done it this way.

 

[Prague]

I teach RCIA and we have year round classes.

 

[puzzleannie]

Every parish I’ve contacted in both states I have lived in have done it this way.

my experience in 7 parishes in 4 dioceses, and constant recommendation whenever I take RCIA classes for catechists, is for the optimum rule, suggested by the Rite, which is year round and welcoming new inquirers at any time during the year. My guess is that your parish has found that both candidates and potential RCIA team members are wedded to the school year model and unwilling to change, so they are doing what works best at the moment. Hope that changes soon.