First RCIA Class

monicajae · November 2010

I went to my first RCIA class last night! I thought it was a great experience and very informative. I do have a couple questions that I was hoping some of you may be able to answer:
Seeing that I am so late starting, will I be able to complete the RCIA program in time for my wedding in July? I understand that baptism occurs over Easter, which isn't far off!
It seems that the class is a progression and I am wondering if I can catch up with the others or if I am going to have to wait until the following Easter?

mica178 · November 2010

Ask your RCIA leaders and priest, but probably yes. The RCIA at my church just started last month and finishes at Easter. I don't know if that is typical, though, so talk with the people at your parish.

jen2013 · November 2010

I would talk to your RCIA teachers, I would think it wouldn't be a problem finishing at that time, I think if it was too late they would have informed you already, but check with them just to make sure!

I am currently going through RCIA and have been for a couple months now, and I am really enjoying it! I hope you are aswell

agapecarrie · November 2010

The first part of RCIA is called "inquiry". Usually, parishes do RCIA over a school year, but some do it over 2 years. It depends on what part of the process your parish is at. If you are getting baptized, and they haven't been going too long, it is likely that you will be receive the sacraments on Easter vigil. There can be a possibility of delaying it for a few reasons, and sometimes then the sacraments can be received on pentacost, or other day.

Talk to the priest, especially about your desire to be Catholic for your wedding and to have a mass. He can discern what stage things are and figure it out from there.

monicajae · November 2010

Thank you! That makes me feel a little more at ease! I will be meeting with the sister who runs the class so I'm sure I'll be able to get more info at that time, but it's so hard to wait a week with questions on your mind!

Calypso1977 · November 2010

agape, cant a priest baptize someone at any time? i understand at Easter priests have special permission to administer confirmation without a bishop, but cant OP's priest baptize her if he feels she's ready, thus making her catholic?

agapecarrie · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_first-rcia-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:edf37dda-0a6c-4992-b9e9-e772a7adde97Post:61ad20f5-208d-4096-b23c-9924c12a74b0">Re: First RCIA Class</a>:
[QUOTE]agape, cant a priest baptize someone at any time? i understand at Easter priests have special permission to administer confirmation without a bishop, but cant OP's priest baptize her if he feels she's ready, thus making her catholic?
Posted by Calypso1977[/QUOTE]

Yes, they can, but most won't without special circumstances. The RCIA process is there for a reason, for formation. For adults confirmation and Baptism go together.

agapecarrie · November 2010

One more thing, I would recommend speaking to the pastor. Lots of rcia teachers are misinformed, uninformed, don't want to teach the faith correctly, or follow the rules so closely they dont' even know that priests are able to do things that aren't in the normal timeline.

Your teacher may be spot on, but they also may not be. The pastor has the final say.

mcdol3 · November 2010

I started in September when I did mine and wasn't confirmed until 18 months later at the NEXT easter. check with you RCIA organizer. I know in my church it's 15 - 18 months for RCIA

bibliophile2010 · November 2010

I agree with other posters that your priest is the person who will best be able to answer your questions.

I just wanted to chime in and say that I'm glad to hear that your RICA experience got off to a great start! May you have many blessings on the journey.

delanceyxo · November 2010

Oh gosh, I'm definitely watching this board! Our wedding is in October, and though I've been baptized in the Baptist church, I'm planning to convert to Catholicism (my husband is Catholic). All of the churches in my area started RCIA in September and I've been told I'll have to wait until the 2011-2012 classes!! Eek!

lmeade62 · November 2010

I started RCIA a little late - I think late September/early October 2007, then entered the Church at Easter 2008, so it was about 8 months. I know it does vary from parish to parish though, so I join the chorus of those recommending you talk with your priest.

Congratulations on starting one of the most wonderful journeys of your life!

Linda

virgincita · November 2010

I converted 5 years ago. I started in November and finished the following Easter, so only 5 months later. I attended the group classes and also had private meetings with the priest to "catch up" because he felt that I was ready to be Catholic and didn't need to wait any longer. Some parishes don't have this flexibility.

I was also discerning a religious vocation...so that might have helped ;-)

I would like to register my opinion that RCIA classes make me super nervous. Thankfully I was blessed with a wonderful and fully Catholic instructor. However, I have seen and heard of terrible instructors who are teaching whatever their "breed" of Catholicism is. It is an abomination (for example, saying that it is ok to be pro-choice as long as you "think really hard about it"). Be careful!! I encourage you to read works of the saints to supplement your class.

And also....welcome!!!!!! :-)

aghouston86 · December 2010

In my personal experience it took me over a year and a half. I began my RCIA classes in Sept. of 07 and received my sacraments of initiation Easter vigil of 09, it all depends on the parish, the instructor, and the program...

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