catechumen problems

[oceanstar]

I have been a catechumen for over a year and my priest has never actually catechized me at all or anything really. I ask him questions sometimes and he will answer them but that is it. I have no idea about when I might be baptized, and he mentioned I needed a sponser after I was made a catechumen but he has never said anything about that since. I don't know anything about it, like if I am given one or find one myself, what they do or anything.

It is making me stressful and I am thinking of finding another parish to go to but I don't know if I can do that? And if I go to another parish and try to explain to the priest I want to go to his parish and recieve instruction from him I am afraid he will just tell me to go back to my own and not believe me.

Does anyone know what I can do?

 

[Dorothea]

Hi, oceanstar. Welcome to TAW.

I'm guessing your priest knows when you will be ready to become a member of the Church. I would talk to your priest about your feelings that you expressed here. Ask him when do you get to be baptized. He will probably tell you when he thinks you're ready. This is what I've read and heard from other catachumens. Hang in there. It will happen in His time.

 

[xuxana]

go to the antiochians or OCA. they are convert crazy & will baptize asap. provided u show proof of how long you've been a cathecumen.

 

[Bessie]

xuxana,

Not sure I agree they are convert crazy, but they do tend to be friendly to converts for sure.

Anyway, oceanstar,

my priest didn't do a lot of active catechesis either, but he always answered my questions and encouraged me to go to other learning opportunities such as parish classes/ retreats, bible studies etc. He did recommend a couple of books, but didn't insist that i read very much, he just checked in with me periodically about how I'm doing.

If you think you're ready, ask him if he agrees. If he doesn't, I'd say keep reading and keep asking questions. But if you don't click in that parish, it's also ok to find somewhere where you do, as long as you aren't a chronic parish hopper.

 

[xuxana]

xuxana,

Not sure I agree they are convert crazy, but they do tend to be friendly to converts for sure.

Anyway, oceanstar,

my priest didn't do a lot of active catechesis either, but he always answered my questions and encouraged me to go to other learning opportunities such as parish classes/ retreats, bible studies etc. He did recommend a couple of books, but didn't insist that i read very much, he just checked in with me periodically about how I'm doing.

If you think you're ready, ask him if he agrees. If he doesn't, I'd say keep reading and keep asking questions. But if you don't click in that parish, it's also ok to find somewhere where you do, as long as you aren't a chronic parish hopper.

im actually jealous of OCA cathecumens & converts. they really encourage, watch over, and prepare you to be orthodox. most OCA parishes i know are nearly 100% run & attended by converts so they dont have this pretension of "back in the old country-isms" and overpowering in your face yia-yias talkin about "you know NAAATHING! in greece we do this." or "it comes from the greeks!". i'm over it & its a real turn off. plus divine liturgy @ the OCA is mostly in english? whats not to like? so much of the greek church is all about culture & ethnicity & a social club atmosphere so it tends to make a noob feel most unwelcome. they need to work on their narthex duties.

 

[choirfiend]

go to the antiochians or OCA. they are convert crazy & will baptize asap. provided u show proof of how long you've been a cathecumen.

length of catechumenate is not a reason to baptize. Only being ready to baptize is a reason.

 

[katherine2001]

go to the antiochians or OCA. they are convert crazy & will baptize asap. provided u show proof of how long you've been a cathecumen.

That is not true. No priest I know is going to receive someone into the church before they know that they are ready. In fact, I wasn't formally made a catechumen until just before my confession made the night before I was received into the Church. Also, I don't know how willing a new priest would be willing to step into the middle of this. He may very well advise him to work with the current priest. I would advise that he have a conversation with the priest and get his answer to his questions.

 

[xuxana]

by asap i mean 6 months. thats the usual wait. y'all please dont get ur drawrs in a twist. i just made light of the situation, thats all. lolz!

 

[katherine2001]

I think most people wait longer than 6 months.

 

[LinuxLurker01]

Talk to the priest about it, and if he doesn't seem interested in helping you, go elsewhere where you'll receive support. And six months would definitely be considered rushing by many priests out there.

 

[ProScribe]

I have been a catechumen for over a year and my priest has never actually catechized me at all or anything really. I ask him questions sometimes and he will answer them but that is it. I have no idea about when I might be baptized, and he mentioned I needed a sponser after I was made a catechumen but he has never said anything about that since. I don't know anything about it, like if I am given one or find one myself, what they do or anything.

It is making me stressful and I am thinking of finding another parish to go to but I don't know if I can do that? And if I go to another parish and try to explain to the priest I want to go to his parish and recieve instruction from him I am afraid he will just tell me to go back to my own and not believe me.

Does anyone know what I can do?

WRite hiom a letter./

 

[xuxana]

I think most people wait longer than 6 months.

not in my parish.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I would just patiently and prayerfully endure (for lack of a better word). your priest knows you, and when you are ready, you will be received. so I would say just keep praying, talking to your priest, and do what he tells you.

oh, and welcome to TAW!

 

[LinuxLurker01]

your priest knows you

Respectfully, not every priest makes that effort, and if that is the case, the person would be wise to find greener pastures.

 

[Dorothea]

Respectfully, not every priest makes that effort, and if that is the case, the person would be wise to find greener pastures.

Those cases are not the norm, are they really? So, what Matt said is good. Let's not let negativity play into this conversation. We are here to help oceanstar, who simply asked what was the hold up. Judging by most catechumens' experiences, the delay is normal, and the priests know them well.