RCIA - Why is this not done year round?

[bigsierra]

It seems very limiting to evangelization to only have new members come in one time a year.

I'm not exactly sure how it all works. What if someone wants to be baptized right away?

Are there some parishes that do this more often than others?

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

It all depends on the priest. Easter is the most symbolic and traditional time, but it can be done at any time.



Some priest just need a nudge Go talk to yours and let the desire shine through you and see what happens.



But also remember patience, humbleness, obedience, and waiting are all very beneficial to the Soul. So while you might not see the benefit of waiting right now the Lord may have a benefit planed



And just because you haven't received the sacraments you still hold a special place in the church

Can. 206 §1 Catechumens are linked with the Church in a special way since, moved by the Holy Spirit, they are expressing an explicit desire to be incorporated in the Church. By this very desire, as well as by the life of faith, hope and charity which they lead, they are joined to the Church which already cherishes them as its own.

§2 The Church has a special care for catechumens. While it invites them to lead an evangelical life, and introduces them to the celebration of the sacred rites, it already accords them various prerogatives which are proper to Christians

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Eduaction and understanding is also an important facture in the time frame

 

[bigsierra]

My concern isn't totally for myself, but the unchristian wanting to join the church, that hasn't been baptized.

The Catechumens may be linked to the Church, but what is the state of their soul in that time? What if they are in open mortal sin and can't receive the Sacrament of Penance?

With belief in baptismal regeneration, wouldn’t it be very important to get them baptized as soon as physically possible?

I can also understand that "time" is a positive factor in testing the motivation of the heart.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

There are several things involed.

We also belive in batisim by desire (i.e. the theif on the cross) So by their desire to join in union with the Lord the Catechumen pleases the Lord.

Those in danger of death should always be addressed in a more ugent mode.

The tradiation of the Church is to confir all three sacrements to adults as close to each other as possible. Thus the greater need for education and understanding.

We babtise babies with the promise of the parents and god parents to provide that education after the fact.

I sure othere can provide more infomation to this then I can

The following is some of the church law govering baptisim just for refernce and intrest
[qoute]
Can. 865 §1 To be admitted to baptism, an adult must have manifested the intention to receive baptism, must be adequately instructed in the truths of the faith and in the duties of a Christian, and tested in the Christian life over the course of the catechumenate. The person must moreover be urged to have sorrow for personal sins.


§2 An adult in danger of death may be baptized if, with some knowledge of the principal truths of the faith, he or she has in some manner manifested the intention to receive baptism and promises to observe the requirements of the Christian religion.


Can. 866 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, immediately after receiving baptism an adult is to be confirmed, to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist and to receive holy communion. [/qoute]

 

[bigsierra]

Thanks for the great and quick responses Aaron.

 

[nyj]

When I used to do RCIA, the parish I did it at was year round. I disagree with the "school-year model", I think it's a crock.

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Wish i could provide more but i sure others will be around to help even more

but don't worry God will not forget anyone

 

[bigsierra]

When I used to do RCIA, the parish I did it at was year round. I disagree with the "school-year model", I think it's a crock.

hehe, I would like to see it more often. I think it's disheartening to think about waiting an entire year. The early church was adding to it's number daily. (Acts 2:41)

So it doesn't have to be a Priest that teaches it?

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Well there have been periods in the church history where one had to wait mutiple years before joing complelty

Or you could be a craddle catholic and take 14 to 17 years for your completle jounrey

 

[nyj]

So it doesn't have to be a Priest that teaches it?

No, it does not. We underwent some serious instruction of our own before being allowed to teach, but we handled everything from Inquiry to Catechesis and Mystagogy as well. The priest however did handle the discernment process, as to whom was ready to enter into the Church and those still needed more time to mature in their faith.

 

[bigsierra]

Well there have been periods in the church history where one had to wait mutiple years before joing complelty

Or you could be a craddle catholic and take 14 to 17 years for your completle jounrey

True. I had not thought of that.

 

[bigsierra]

No, it does not. We underwent some serious instruction of our own before being allowed to teach, but we handled everything from Inquiry to Catechesis and Mystagogy as well. The priest however did handle the discernment process, as to whom was ready to enter into the Church and those still needed more time to mature in their faith.

The discernment process sounds interesting. I didn't realize that was part of the process. It would be sad to blow the discernment and have to wait another year.

 

[ufonium2]

It used to take three years to join the Church, way back in the day. Two years were spent on studying the Old Testament, and one on the NT. So, if you think about it, a year doesn't seem that bad.

I think a lengthy catechism is a good thing. I have friends (edited to say: not Catholic) who joined their churches, got baptised and "saved" all within a week or two of their first encounter with the church. They are putting their soul in the hands of a church they know almost nothing about. But, that's what is encouraged. Those churches make you feel like something is wrong with you if you don't immediately join, and because of that they have tons of "members" who don't even know their church's view on salvation.

If you'll notice, most of the ex-Catholics who bash Catholicism on these boards have misconceptions about church teachings. I think if becoming Catholic were easier you would see a lot more of this.

 

[de Unamuno]

IMHO, a long, well taught RCIA beats the pants off a quick-and-dirty Sinner's Prayer any day.

The community coming together en masse, the build-up and anticipation, the deep study and endless conversations, I've waited almost a full year to come into the Church... I've fought and wrestled with God the whole time... I can finally say I am ready, and I wouldn't have traded that romance with Him for anything!

 

[bigsierra]

IMHO, a long, well taught RCIA beats the pants off a quick-and-dirty Sinner's Prayer any day.

The community coming together en masse, the build-up and anticipation, the deep study and endless conversations, I've waited almost a full year to come into the Church... I've fought and wrestled with God the whole time... I can finally say I am ready, and I wouldn't have traded that romance with Him for anything!

That's an awesome testimony.

 

[myrna]

The age we live in with the terroist threat we are always in the danger of death. methings!

 

[RhetorTheo]

I went to a Catholic church and asked how to convert. They said it was nearing Easter, RCIA was ending and I should come back in the fall. I ended up going to a Bible Baptist church.