Becoming Catholic without RCIA but with meetings?

blizzardL · #1 May 27, '12, 2:32 pm

Hello! I'm excited to be joining this forum. I was wondering-- a Catholic friend's husband wishes to become Catholic and has been having a few meetings a month with a nun about the faith. I believe they're using RCIA materials and have been discussing the catechism. He was already well versed in the Christian faith before deciding to convert. Would he still have to go to RCIA in the fall after regular, individual meetings about Catholicism, or could he talk to a priest and ask to be received? Would it be likely to happen? He doesn't want to appear rude by not attending the classes in the fall, but has been making a thorough study of the catechism and has been instructed by a nun.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Diana Catherine · #2 May 27, '12, 2:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by blizzardL

Hello! I'm excited to be joining this forum. I was wondering-- a Catholic friend's husband wishes to become Catholic and has been having a few meetings a month with a nun about the faith. I believe they're using RCIA materials and have been discussing the catechism. He was already well versed in the Christian faith before deciding to convert. Would he still have to go to RCIA in the fall after regular, individual meetings about Catholicism, or could he talk to a priest and ask to be received? Would it be likely to happen? He doesn't want to appear rude by not attending the classes in the fall, but has been making a thorough study of the catechism and has been instructed by a nun.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

There will probably be others with better answers but I think it would depend on the priest.

twopekinguys · #3 May 27, '12, 2:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by blizzardL

Hello! I'm excited to be joining this forum. I was wondering-- a Catholic friend's husband wishes to become Catholic and has been having a few meetings a month with a nun about the faith. I believe they're using RCIA materials and have been discussing the catechism. He was already well versed in the Christian faith before deciding to convert. Would he still have to go to RCIA in the fall after regular, individual meetings about Catholicism, or could he talk to a priest and ask to be received? Would it be likely to happen? He doesn't want to appear rude by not attending the classes in the fall, but has been making a thorough study of the catechism and has been instructed by a nun.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

There are cases for "private instruction".

In our parish, we do have a set schedule for RCIA, but we have cases where an individual's work schedule, schooling, etc. may conflict with it.

In these cases, we have special catechists that work with the individual and their schedule or specific situation.

We keep our clergy up to date on their progress, and any issues that may arise.

These individuals are as fully prepared to receive the Sacraments as any individual that attends the regular sessions.

So, I guess the speedy version of an answer would be...If they are receiving individual or private instruction by a parish/diocese approved catechist, then no, RCIA would not be required.

Imcatholic7 · #4 May 27, '12, 2:58 pm

I'm sort of wondering the same thing since I have practiced the Catholic Faith for 8 years and am planning on RCIA this fall. I already know so much that meeting with a priest would be nice.

Daizies · #5 May 27, '12, 3:03 pm

I know someone who entered the Church after private instruction. She has several young children and her husband works out of town, so RCIA was out of the question.
If he is already a baptized Christian, then I can't see how it would be a problem. However, if he is unbaptized, the priest may decide not dispense with RCIA even if he is well catechized. Really, it all depends on what their priest decides - but it is possible.

TheExorcist · #6 May 27, '12, 3:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by blizzardL

Hello! I'm excited to be joining this forum. I was wondering-- a Catholic friend's husband wishes to become Catholic and has been having a few meetings a month with a nun about the faith. I believe they're using RCIA materials and have been discussing the catechism. He was already well versed in the Christian faith before deciding to convert. Would he still have to go to RCIA in the fall after regular, individual meetings about Catholicism, or could he talk to a priest and ask to be received? Would it be likely to happen? He doesn't want to appear rude by not attending the classes in the fall, but has been making a thorough study of the catechism and has been instructed by a nun.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

I attend an FSSP parish and they do not do RCIA. You meet with a priest as often as your and his schedule permits. Our parish uses A Brief Catechism for Adults. As soon as the priest believes you have an understanding and belief enough in the doctrines, traditions and practices of the church you can be baptized, confirmed and received into the church.

TeenageConvert · #7 May 27, '12, 4:29 pm

Well I never went through RCIA. I was 13 when I converted, and I had studied the faith for months before contacting my priest. We met a few times and talked about the faith, but he saw that I understood the Catholic faith better than most Catholics haha, and I had already been in a sense practicing Catholicism for a while. -I considered myself Catholic. I did attend Confirmation class with the teens at the parish, and was Baptized/Confirmed about 6 months later.

maltmom · #8 May 27, '12, 4:51 pm

Here is a link to the answer section at catholic.com. http://www.catholic.com/documents/ho...ome-a-catholic

There is a section of Preparation for Christians.

I had a valid Baptism and I did not attend RCIA. I studied on my own and then spoke to my Priest. Every situation is different. He really needs to speak to his Priest.

Phemie · #9 May 27, '12, 5:43 pm

There is nothing in RCIA that precludes private instruction.

But even with private instruction, a catechumen would be expected to go through all the rites proper to the catechumenate before being baptized. OTOH, a baptized Christian should be able to have only as much private instruction as he/she requires to be ready. Depending on the person that might only take 6 weeks or it could take a year -- it should be tailored to the person.

Mrs Sally · #10 May 27, '12, 5:55 pm

The person in question - not you - needs to speak to his priest at his local parish. It is always suprising to me that people who want to be Catholic are often reluctant to approach the priest for information. The pastor will need to meet and speak to him, and let the bishop know. Most often the priest will be able to confirm, but confirmation is under the bishop's authority.

mlz · #11 May 27, '12, 5:57 pm

For me, all I did is spend a few months visiting with the priest,then became Catholic. He was fine with this. I had spent 3 years of studing the Catholic faith on my own prior to visiting with my priest.
Mlz

TrueLight · #12 May 28, '12, 12:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheExorcist

I attend an FSSP parish and they do not do RCIA. You meet with a priest as often as your and his schedule permits. Our parish uses A Brief Catechism for Adults. As soon as the priest believes you have an understanding and belief enough in the doctrines, traditions and practices of the church you can be baptized, confirmed and received into the church.

That's what I did. I met with an FSSP priest for 8 weeks. During that time we used as our main texts three books on Catholic teaching, including fundamentals and morality, a history of Catholicism, plus I was given Introduction to the Devout Life and a book on the scriptural basis of Catholicism as a bonus.

Private instruction worked for me way better than RCIA would have (I had audited a couple of RCIA courses).

P.S. I was already a baptized Christian.

Phemie · #13 May 28, '12, 3:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

That's what I did. I met with an FSSP priest for 8 weeks. During that time we used as our main texts three books on Catholic teaching, including fundamentals and morality, a history of Catholicism, plus I was given Introduction to the Devout Life and a book on the scriptural basis of Catholicism as a bonus.

Private instruction worked for me way better than RCIA would have (I had audited a couple of RCIA courses).

P.S. I was already a baptized Christian.

That actually falls right in line with the teachings of RCIA 387 (Canadian edition), the first paragraph of the section

Quote:

Reception of Baptized Christians Into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church
387. This is the liturgical rite by which a person born and baptized in a separated ecclesial Community is received, according to the Latin rite, into the full communion of the Catholic Church. The rite is so arranged that no greater burden than necessary (see Acts 15:28) is required for the establishment of communion and unity.

391. The baptized Christian is to receive both doctrinal and spiritual preparation, adapted to individual pastoral requirements, for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. The candidate should learn to deepen an inner adherence to the Church, where he or she will find the fullness of his or her baptism. During the period of preparation the candidate may share in worship in conformity with the provision of the Ecumenical Directory.

Anything that would equate candidates for reception with those who are catechumens is to be absolutely avoided.

TrueLight · #14 May 28, '12, 6:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phemie

That actually falls right in line with the teachings of RCIA 387 (Canadian edition), the first paragraph of the section

Quote:

Anything that would equate candidates for reception with those who are catechumens is to be absolutely avoided.

Phemie,

I remember you telling me that last year and that made me realize that there should have been other options, but I inquired at a few RCIA programs and all of them started in September and both catechumens and baptized Christians went through the same program.

I guess it makes it easier for the RCIA team.

Mrs Sally · #15 May 28, '12, 6:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

I guess it makes it easier for the RCIA team.

Yes. It can certainly be difficult for those entering who are already baptized Christians and who have been studying Catholicism on their own. There are advantages to having one class for everyone, other than not stretching the priests too thin. Going through the prorgam builds a community among all the newbies and their sponsors which can help anchor people in their parish. Being a Catholic is more than learning the doctrine. We have so many threads of people who feel lonely or out of place at their parish. For someone converting - especially from the more 'outgoing' denominations - having that group of folks that you know and have been seeing ever week for a few months can certainly help the transition.