Why does a person who has been raised in church and has studied the Bible, is baptized and confirmed complete such a long rehash of the same things he or she already knows and believes. I have read several books including the entire Catholic Catechism and believe the doctrine professed. The only thing I as a protestant desiring to become a member of the Catholic Church don't know and need assistance with is the actions during Mass, upon entering the church and at other times, ie. making the sign of the cross, genuflection, etc.

-- Jeff (celticfirestorm@hotmail.com), April 14, 2004

Answers

bump

-- (bump@bump.bump), April 14, 2004.

Jeff, I was raised in the Lutheran Church, was confirmed and went to Bible Study until I was 18 years old. I've always considered myself a good Christian, even when I didn't go to church regularly for a period of about 10 years.

I made the decision to become Catholic about fifteen years ago and finally followed through with it when I met my future wife about 12 years ago. I went through RCIA to join the church, participating in two seperate Parishes simultaneously; I received the Sacraments in the Church which was the home Parish for my sponsor and I also went to classes in the Church in which my Wife and I were going to be married in and would call our home. Since that time, I've been a part of the RCIA teaching team and now for the most part head it up.

I "knew" quite a lot about the church when I entered the process that first year, but now in my twelveth year, I feel as though I am just now beginning to understand what the Church expects of me and means to me. If you seriously wish to be Catholic, you need to understand that becoming a Catholic isn't just "joining," it's a journey, a lifelong process that doesn't end until you give up this earthly life. If you think you know "enough" now, you really haven't begun to challenge yourself as you will when you truly begin to start on this path.

Go through the RCIA process to enter the church, it's not just about "knowledge" of the church, it also about belonging to the "community of the church." You can't develop the same sense of community, by just signing on the dotted line and joining. Becoming "Catholic" is a beautiful process. Don't short change yourself by desiring to short circuit the process to get it over with.

It is something you will only do once and all the "Rites" and "Ritual" that go with becoming Catholic are going to be with you for the rest of your life. If you are truely serious in this endeavor and mean to stick with it for the long haul. Give it all the time and energy that the church asks of you. The process is going to ask of you a kind of selfless humility which might make you a bit uncomfortable, but if it is truely your wish to come to know God, to know our Lord Jesus Christ through the Catholic church, then you need to be ready to place yourself on your knees, before "him" in "his" church. If you're now ready to humble yourself in such a manner, then wait till you really are ready to be a part of the RCIA and then do it seriously and with your full heart.

I truely wish you the best and may you find the "Peace and Grace" in our church that you seek.

"To Jesus, through Mary" Peace be with you,

Leon

-- Leon (pookieboy@hotmail.com), April 15, 2004.

Leon

That was very insightful.

Hugh

-- Hugh (hugh@inspired.com), April 15, 2004.

I liked Leon's answer, but I would like to add something and offer another side to the issue.

The RCIA is a revival of the ancient custom of the Catechumanite (sp). That was often a process of upto 3 years. Part of that time was about doing penance and preparing spiritually for entering the Church. If you take the RCIA in that sense you can really use this time.

On the otherhand, the RCIA is the 'normative' process for entering the Chuch. That doesn't make it the normal way. I find far too many people are unwilling to accomodate other options. It is possible, (as it should be) to enter the Church by a faster process. I'd look around. Talk to some preists. You might be able to make a case for entering without the RCIA program.

(This is the second time I've suggestied this here, so I want to make sure that folks know that I am not anti RCIA.)

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), April 15, 2004.