RCIA: Questions

[Fonzy]

Hello All!
I'm a teen who is interested in taking RCIA classes. I already contacted the Priest at the church that I've been attending for a month or so. He told me that I need to take RCIA classes--even though I am a teen (I guess I am too old for the other types of classes).
I am very happy with my church and would like to become a "full" member. I was baptized at age 3, but have never attended any "classes" for the church.
My question is for anyone who has taken these RCIA classes. What are they like? How long are they? (One hour? or longer?) How many times a week do you have to attend? How long do these classes last before you are confirmed? (One year or two?) Do you have to buy books for these classes?
Any info. from someone who has taken these classes would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Fonzy

 

[Paul S]

Usually the classes are a couple hours one day a week, and you most parishes supply whatever books or materials you need. At my parish, all the candidates were given a Bible and a Catechism.

RCIA covers a range of topics about the Church, including who God is and who each of the three Persons are, Mary, the Saints, the Mass, the Bible, the Sacraments, the pope, and so on. The program usually lasts from September to Easter.

Were you baptised Catholic?

 

[Fonzy]

Yes, I was baptized in a Catholic church.

 

[TexasCatholic]

I'm in RCIA at my Parish (yes, we have teens in ours, too). Our classes are Sunday mornings for about an hour and a half to two hours. There's no classes during the week. As mentioned, the program is typically Sept. through Easter, but some parishes vary that up or do two cycles a year. If you're not familiar with many church traditions and core doctrines, RCIA will be a great benefit for you. If you're like me, however, and did all your "homework" before ever joining RCIA, it might be a bit on the boring side... However, think of it simply as the path to take home!

Welcome!

-Michael

 

[Glynnw]

Hi Fonzy, I started RCIA back in September. I had decided to convert to Catholic after seeing the PASSION back in March, so you can see there was quite a wait.
The deacon has been my teacher and we would meet once a week on Sunday at 9 am and then go to 10:30 mass. I had done a lot of reading on the Catholic Church leading up to my classes and I had also attended Catholic Church for about 30 years with my wife. After November, the deacon told me he felt that I was ready to be brought into the church as a member. I was so glad because it was the Christmas season and it meant so much to me. I will still have to go to RCIA once a month until Easter.
He gave me a book to study from which covered things like the 10 Commandments, the seven Sacraments, Sanctifying Grace, and precepts of the church, to name a few.
You must memorize the Hail Mary, The Our Father, and The Glory Be, and a must is the Act of Contrition.
It was unusual to enter the Church any time other than Easter, but it is done. I was so glad I was able to enter early.

In Christ, Mary, and all of the Saints, GlynnW

 

[TexasCatholic]

BTW, I'm in RCIA now and we've not even talked about the Hail Mary or any other memorized prayers.

-Michael

 

[Glynnw]

BTW, I'm in RCIA now and we've not even talked about the Hail Mary or any other memorized prayers.

-Michael

So what are you saying, SouthCoast? Just how are you going to your first confession if you do not know your Act of Contrition. I know the priest will help you, but he is not going to say it for you. He will also probably tell you to say some Hail Mary's, Our Father,s, and some Glory Be,s. These are just the basic prayers that my teacher felt would be good to memorize. If you put aside some time each day, you can have them ready to go in a week or two. Maybe you will not have to learn them, yet they are some good prayers to learn. Good luck in your studies.

In Christ, Mary, and all of the Saints, especially Saint Therese, GlynnW

 

[nyj]

You won't have to buy any books Fonzy, other than those that you specifically want out of personal curiousity. Those that you must have for RCIA will be given to you. And if they're not, I'd be floored.

By the way, welcome home and we're glad to have you here on OBOB.

 

[RhetorTheo]

When I was attending RCIA, it was once a week at night. I don't remember how long it ran, but I think it was supposed to go for 2 hours but often went 3-4.

 

[kimber1]

wow, in our class, we always say a prayer before starting. we started with teh Our Father, did the Glory Be several times and a lot of tiems close with teh Hail Mary. we had the deacon's wife come in one class and teach about Mary. we learn a new prayer every couple weeks we've also started reciting teh Apostle's Creed after the Our Father

 

[Fonzy]

Thanks so much for all your replies! I appreciate them!

 

[ukok]

Fonzy, I was on an RCIA course here in England 2003-2004...it was 1 1/2 hours each Tuesday evening (sometimes we'd get carried away and it would run over that time)...we began with prayer and ended with prayer...we had many different priest's and deacons who would take it in turns to teach us about a particular area of Catholicism. We would have tea and coffee and an opportunity to ask questions..the only book we were advised (though not requested) to purchase, was a copy of the CCC...those of us who wanted a copy ordered it through the parish and recieved a discount which was great as we got the big hefty version!

It lasted from Sept 03 till the end of March 04 and i was received into the Catholic Faith along with my children on Easter Vigil, April 10th 2004

God Bless.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

So what are you saying, SouthCoast? Just how are you going to your first confession if you do not know your Act of Contrition. I know the priest will help you, but he is not going to say it for you.

I went through RCIA without ever memorising prayers. I memorised them all myself outside of Class, but not spoken about in RCIA.

I remember my second confession ever, was with a different priest than my RCIA priest. So, at the end, he said, "you may now say your prayer of contrition" I had to admit that I do not know one yet (I had only half a prayer memorised....just the gist of it, really)
He was so nice, he just said, well say a prayer of appology from your heart. I managed to say the right words in the end, but, God Bless him, that priest handled it really well.

Peace in Christ.