RCIA

[Ellenita]

I bought 'Catholicism for Dummies' today - seems like a good book. Anyway, it says that converts are brought into full communion at the Easter Vigil, once they have made a Profession of Faith and attended RCIA classes. However a Catholic friend of mine recently told me that I would not need to attend RCIA classes as I am a Christian already. Who is right? Is it obligatory and how long do the classes last (weeks, months?).

[Dave]

Although many, perhaps even most, RCIA programs require those who are Christian already to go through the program, your friend is correct in that they're really not supposed to be required to do that.

As for how long the programs last, it varies from parish to parish.

[Ellenita]

Thanks!

Another question for you - is the Profession of Faith only ever done at the Easter Vigil? What about someone who has a burning desire to convert and doesn't have the patience to wait until Easter?

Hypothetically speaking of course!!! :D

[Dave]

Thanks!

Another question for you - is the Profession of Faith only ever done at the Easter Vigil? What about someone who has a burning desire to convert and doesn't have the patience to wait until Easter? 

Hypothetically speaking of course!!!  :D

The profession of faith is done whenever someone enters the Church -- Easter Vigil or not.

[foundsheep]

I bought 'Catholicism for Dummies' today - seems like a good book. Anyway, it says that converts are brought into full communion at the Easter Vigil, once they have made a Profession of Faith and attended RCIA classes. However a Catholic friend of mine recently told me that I would not need to attend RCIA classes as I am a Christian already. Who is right? Is it obligatory and how long do the classes last (weeks, months?).

thats a good book by the way. I just finished it.

[foundsheep]

I bought 'Catholicism for Dummies' today - seems like a good book. Anyway, it says that converts are brought into full communion at the Easter Vigil, once they have made a Profession of Faith and attended RCIA classes. However a Catholic friend of mine recently told me that I would not need to attend RCIA classes as I am a Christian already. Who is right? Is it obligatory and how long do the classes last (weeks, months?).

A good way to look at it is in terms of being reborn. You know how some use the term being born again loosely. But really what is required of being born. 9 months of development of body in your mothers womb. RCIA was my womb for the church. I was born again at my full communion with the church after my time of development and study and realization of what it really means to be a full of the truth christian. I didnt just say "Im born again" and figured that would be my change. It takes work and true change. My RCIA experience will be something Ill never forget.

[FaustinaVianney]

Ellentia~I'm a convert myself and I didn't have to wait until the Easter Vigil to enter the Church and I wasn't even baptized. You must first get in touch with a priest and talk to him about your desires. I don't know how much you know about the faith, but my priest wanted me to have a basic knowledge of what the Church believes and why the Church does some of the things that it does and a desire to continue learning after entering the Faith. So GO talk to a priest. He's the one that will say whether or not you can enter the Church before the Vigil.

Veritatem dare summa caritas

:)

[Joyful]

Hey Ellenita!

It's cool that you're soooo excited about becoming Catholic. About RCIA~ I suggest you go through it. I will teach you sooo much about your faith and also help you to meet other new Catholics. I also think it's cool to do the whole Easter Vigil thing. Knowing that so many others are joining with you that night making a decision that changes your life for all eternity.

Then again... If I were in your position I wouldn't want to wait either. :)

[Good Friday]

Ellenita, I am a convert, and although I was already a Christian I went through with the RCIA process and was confirmed on the Easter Vigil. I recommend that you do the same, as RCIA will help you learn more about the Catholic Faith. It was an amesome experience for me, and if I had the choice between going back and doing it again or just skipping it, I would definitely do it again.

[littleflower+JMJ]

wow ellenita!

please keep us updated on all of this. we will keep you in our prayers.

follow the advice that all have mentioned above. it will be most beneficial, even after RCIA that we're always learning more about the faith, throughout our lives to be enriching ourselves with the beauty and truth of the Catholic Church.

i think you are so amesome ellenita. your openess and sincerity of your faith and learning. God will never hide the truth from one who is truly seekingit, if one is looking for truth, seek and you shall find. B) ask and you shall recieve, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

and if you do all, you will find truth.

"a city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matt. 5:14)

in the catholic church.

God bless you ellenita.

and many blessings and prayers on your journey home to the Catholic Church.

+JMJ

Our hearts, O Lord,

were made for You,

and they are restless

until they rest in You."

[PedroX]

Am I the only one with RCIA horror stories? And how come I had to go through that horrible experience when I was already a Christian?

Ellenita,

If you have read about Catholicism, if you understand the Mass, if you in your heart feel Catholic, you may want to consider skipping RCIA. For me it was nine months of frustration. I would have been much better off meeting with a priest a few times to get a few specific questions answered.

That being said, Easter Vigil and the confirmation rite are extremely beautiful and I am so glad I was part of them.

Hope thats clear as mud!

peace...

[cmotherofpirl]

RCIA is not perfect, it depends on the quality of the instructor. Our RCIA offers group and individual instruction every Sunday from September until after Easter.

However I think the rituals connected to it are important. It can be very a moving experience when they are presented to the parish Church as people on the journey and meet all the people who are praying for them daily.

In our diocese, all members of RCIA go to the cathedral to be personally welcomed by the bishops, who record their names in the book of life. In my year of sponsering we had 800 converts and had to do the ceremony on 2 successive weeks just to accomodate all the people involved. After being together in little groups for many months ,it was amesome and moving to be all together in the cathedral as they called people up from all the parishes of Western Pa.to the front of the Church.

THen in your individual parish you are baptised, confirmed with the people you have spent months growing with. After Easter vigil, you go back to several more classes where you learn more about putting your faith into daily action.

[CatholicAndFanatical]

800 people!! Praise Be To God! Thats amesome.

Ellenita, I am a convert as well, 4 years this easter. I would encourage you to go through it, there will never be another experience like it. Its kinda like graduating High School, that feeling of accompolishment you have that you just finished your development as a new Catholic. The Rites that you go through while in it are very moving, man I wish I could go through that again.

You dont want to try to do this yourself, let the Church guide you and God will use them to bring you more fully to Him. RCIA is there for a reason, you will know more and have a better appreciation for the Church if you attend it.

You will be in my prayers, and I truely hope you decide to join RCIA, my prayers will also be for those that instruct the class's, because your experience and knowledge is in the hands of those that teach it.

Dont get discouraged if its not what you thought, talk to them about it and bring it up to the Priest, they want you to get the most out of it as you can. Keep communications open with them.

God Bless,

CatholicAndFanatical

[VeraMaria]

800 people!! Praise Be To God! Thats amesome.

yes it is!!

we had 1200 people last year here in Miami!!!!!!!!! I thought that was pretty kewl. I'm trying to scan the article that appeared about it in the "Florida catholic". :D B) B)

[Anna]

Wow, you guys make the RCIA experience sound so amesome, I want to go through it.

No, wait a minute. I'm a cradle Catholic!

Pedrox,

Sometimes people with their own agendas really foul up the works. Sounds like maybe that's what happened in your RCIA experience. I'm sure glad you stuck with it and entered the bark of Peter! Welcome aboard! :wub:

Pax Christi. <><

[cmotherofpirl]

When you are not busy :D you can volunteetr as a sponser.

[Katholikos]

I bought 'Catholicism for Dummies' today - seems like a good book. Anyway, it says that converts are brought into full communion at the Easter Vigil, once they have made a Profession of Faith and attended RCIA classes. However a Catholic friend of mine recently told me that I would not need to attend RCIA classes as I am a Christian already. Who is right? Is it obligatory and how long do the classes last (weeks, months?).

Ellenita, RCIA is for Christians of other faiths and for non-Christians who are interested in learning about the Catholic faith. It remains an inquiry process right up to the Rite of Election, when Easter is approaching. Then the person chooses to join or not to make the commitment. Even then, you are free to change your mind up until Easter. So your friend is half right.

Some priests will give permission to omit RCIA, but usually only for people who already know a great deal about Catholicism, and who have little to learn. Even then, the classes are preferrable because they are a cultural as well as a historical and doctrinal learning experience. I've been through RCIA several times -- both as a sponsor and as an assistant to the teacher.

RCIA usually begins with an introduction in August and ends with baptism or profession of faith at the Easter Vigil, about 9 months of weekly sessions. Some meet twice a week -- once to study history and doctrine, once to study the weekly Scripture readings. However, some Catholic Churches are extending RCIA for two years. They have found the one-year program insufficient for producing knowledgeable, faithful Catholics.

I'm excited about your asking. Keep us posted on how this progresses. God gave me the privilege of watching the conversion of one other person on line. Her name was April, and she, her husband, and two sons came into the Church as a result of a Catholic/Protestant discussion group in which I participated. There were only four Catholics on the list. We used to have fierce arguments with April (and other Protestants). She was a Fundamentalist Baptist. Her whole family was in RCIA together, in Oregon. Now she teaches the Catholic Faith to kiddies :D . We still correspond, but she's going to college now and doesn't have much time for the computer.

So, keep us up to date on what happens. I promise you daily prayers.

JMJ Likos

[musturde]

How old do u have to be to be a sponser? Requirements?

[cappie]

The code of canon law states: To be admitted to the office of sponsor a person must be not less than 16, be a catholic wh has been confirmed and received the blessed Eucharist and not be either the father or mother of the person.

Ref: can 874

[Ellenita]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on RCIA. :D

'Office of sponsor' sounds important! So it's not just a mate who happens to be a catholic that can fulfill this role for you, but has to be someone who has been 'officially' recognised as a sponsor? Do you get to choose who it is?