This is a fairly niche subject, but my earlier post brought it to mind, so I think I’ll write about it. I also think it might shed some light on the never-ending Current Discussions in the Church (whatever they are about, which is everything and, yes, never-ending.)
The earlier post focused on the Mass readings that are designated for use in Mass when the Scrutinies are prayed. The Scrutinies being a set of prayer/questions posed to catechumenates preparing for Baptism (etc) at the Easter Vigil.
I thought it might be useful to do a quick, informal survey of the recent history of the reform of the process for coming into the Catholic Church. I was in this world in the late 1980s and 90s and, as always, it’s interesting to me to see how things are changing, especially when the American Catholic world was so confident that that 80s and 90s framework was it.
In the Early Church, the process for becoming a Christian was long and demanding. We know it as the Catechumenate. In the old rite, what we now call the “Liturgy of the Word” was called the “Mass of the Catechumens” because only the fully initiated were allowed to participate in the “mysteries”—what we now call the “Liturgy of the Eucharist.”
Over time, the catechumenate disappeared. In the 19th century (give or take), missionaries to the unbaptized, especially in Africa, began to articulate a need for a deeper, formal process of conversion—to revive the catechumenate. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council voted in strong approval of this idea, so the work began.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was promulgated in 1972, with the English translation approved in 1974, and by the mid-80s the national push was on from the American bishops to make this the norm, and it was mandated in 1988.
So, let’s take a break and assess. It seems to be a sensible movement—to revive an ancient, venerable tradition and apply it to contemporary needs. The perceived need being a deeper ground in which to plant the seed of conversion rather than superficial instruction or even conversion for social reasons such as marriage. As well as—especially with the unbaptized from actual pagan cultures and backgrounds—a long period of time to be immersed in what it truly means to be transformed in Christ, to be formed in him.
It makes sense—and this was, indeed, the original inspiration for reviving the catechumenate.
The problem was that as soon as the Americans got their hands on it, they instantly turned it into a Program that was going to Solve All the Problems and (importantly) everyone had to be fitted into.
So, basically: Jim Wilson, baptized Episcopalian, who’d been attending Mass with his wife for thirty years and finally decided to go ahead and cross the Tiber, found that he could only do so by participating in an at least one-year program (longer in some parishes) with the unbaptized and the baptized—including baptized Catholics, which required him to study from a program—probably from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate (defunct for ten years now)—and be “dismissed” from Mass after the Liturgy of the Word to go “break open the Word” in imitation of the Early Church practice.
I’m telling you—it was a big deal. The conferences put on by the North American Forum for the Catechumenate were very large, there were regular regional conferences, and it was the expectation among many that this “catechumenate” model was the key to renewing the Church. The expectation was that the emphasis on community in conversion would not only enrich the conversion process, but more deeply engage a parish, as parishioners would be more involved in evangelization, support and catechesis. Another aspect of this was lectionary-based catechesis, which, for a time, was also presented as a New Normal for every level and type of catechesis.
Now. Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of folks who, no matter what their background, had great experiences in the RCIA process. It is not a bad thing to submit oneself to a process, particularly in the spiritual realm, since it is a path to humility and helps one shake off pride and a sense of singularity.
One of the strong points, too, of this process, is the emphasis on prayer and discernment—that is a more holistic formation rather than one emphasizing intellectual assent. A framework that sought to follow through after initiation—the neophyte/mystagogia stage. There was, as is with everything, much that was Not Wrong: for the seeker, reminding them of the depth of the process, and for the local parish, a call to not be so insular and to remember what we are here for.
But, I think that you can see the problem. Problems.
It all comes down to imposing a one-size fits all template on every individual who seeks to join the Church.
(Not to speak of trying to impose a one-size fits all template on all formation efforts, which was the case for a while—publishers fell over themselves producing Confirmation programs or religious education programs that attempted to squeeze everything into that Catechumenate model as well as in the framework of lectionary-based catechesis.)
Which is ironic, considering the post-Conciliar emphasis on the need to respect the uniqueness of an individual’s journey.
But what is this post-Conciliar journey of ours, but itself one of irony and unintended consequences?
Anyway. It was, I think, a valuable thing to look back at the ancient Catechumenate and consider its applicability to various contemporary situations: how to authentically and deeply catechize the unbaptized and even the moderns formed in what amounts to a pagan culture (ours). The emphasis on prayer, discernment, and engagement with community.
All good!
But, of course, the problems were many—unqualified catechists, inadequate catechesis, a national leadership that was all about “doctrine doesn’t matter anymore,” perfunctory celebration of the rites—and, most of all, the insistence that anyone who expressed any interest in becoming Catholic had to go through RCIA. So we could add, to Jim Wilson’s situation up there, that he finally got around to contacting the parish about his interest on February 17, to be told by the parish secretary that he was “too late” for this year and he could “start the process” next September and be received into the Church next Easter.
Yes, this happened, and was fairly normal.
Hey, maybe Jim could have used that extra year. Maybe he would benefit from mixing it up and learning with a bunch of other people.
Or maybe it would have struck him as a little performative and maybe even incredibly stupid to be in a process where he’s solemnly told that he shouldn’t be a part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist anymore (because! Early Church!) and he’s trotted out under a banner with the others to “break open the Word” instead—when, if he wants, the next day he can head to noon Mass and stay for the whole thing.
Or maybe the administrative slavishness would have made him wonder about this Church he thought he wanted to be a part of, turned him off and left his wife wondering when her prayers were going to be answered, anyway.
Here’s the point: the Catechumenate was for the unbaptized. The total strangers to the Way.
The OCIA acknowledges this, with its category of “candidates”—who are baptized and will be making their profession of Faith and being confirmed, and perhaps don’t enter the process until Lent—but the way it worked in most parishes for years was that all of these people were funneled through the very same process, despite the rite itself making those distinctions.
Why? I am not sure. Part of it was probably the domination of the North American Forum and the organization’s conviction that this was the key to parish, hence Church, renewal. Part might be personnel and time. Which is ironic, to me: it might actual take more parish involvement on a wider scale to work with seekers from widely (and wildly) different backgrounds than it does to shove everyone in one program.
But that (the reason for this post) seems to be changing.
I don’t see a total reversion to the individual-instruction-from-Father model, but what I do see more and more are more flexible ways of forming and receiving the baptized into the fullness of the Catholic faith. I’m seeing parishes where individuals are regularly received during Sunday Masses, after periods of instruction and reflection outside of the OCIA. One parish in my area has a two 14-week sessions involving prayer and study for folks like this—outside of the OCIA.
It seems to me that this is one more hazard of archaeologism—looking to the “Early Church” as a purer expression of the Faith that must be restored, so we, too, can be pure. Not taking into account the differences that two millennia of cultural Catholicism, then post-Christian collapse, makes in the situation.
Rather than doing what authentic reform does, which is a careful examination of what we might have lost or forgotten in the present day, looking to our spiritual, theological and liturgical roots for what might enrich our contemporary practice, then carefully and judiciously offering it, mindful of the different circumstances that bring people to Christ.
It’s also a good reminder of “Be wary of the experts who put on conferences and sell you materials claiming, ‘This is Who We Are as A Church Now!’ and woe to those who dare to question….”
(Editor’s note: This essay was posted originally, in slightly different form, at “Charlotte was Both” and is reposted here with kind permission of the author.)
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Dear Amy Welborn, you’ve hit on a vitally important part of our Catholic Church life.
Australian catechists, RE Teachers & clergy today rarely each OBEDIENCE to God; though obedience to institutions is emphasized.
Even though part of The Holy Trinity, Jesus, our LORD obeyed rules:
John 8:28 “I do nothing of Myself; what The Father has taught Me is what I preach.”
John 8:54 “If I were to seek My own glory that would be no glory at all; My glory is conferred by The Father.”
John 15:5 “Whoever remains in Me, with Me in them, bears (good) fruit in plenty; for cut off from Me you can do nothing.”
Then there’s those famous 7 words of Matthew 26:39: “Your will be done Father, not Mine.”
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Because there’s so much joy in becoming a Catholic, it’s easy to forget that Jesus is IN CHARGE of it all, and always & only for the sake of Father God’s glory:
John 16:14-15 “The Holy Spirit will glorify Me, since all He tells you will be taken from what is Mine. Everything The Father has is Mine; that is why I said: ‘All He tells you will be taken from what is Mine.’”
Catholicism IS Life in Christ Jesus; always about obedience to the commandments, of Him who constantly stands ready to shepherd us with encouragement or restraint! His “No!” is no; and His “Yes!” is yes.
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Colossians 3:17 “Never say or do anything except in the Name of the LORD Jesus.”
We are NOT doing it ‘in Jesus’ Name’ if we haven’t asked Him first!
As you’d know, it’s a fatal flaw to think we’re OK to decide to do what we feel motivated to do, and only then say: “In Jesus’ Name”; as if His Holy Name is some sort of universal charm! “Why do you call Me: ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I say?”
———————————————
Ideally, new Catholics need to find how to come into the Presence of Jesus and be able to prayerfully converse with the LORD at any time, before they are incorporated into the body of believers. When they know the Christ of The New Testament, are able to hear God’s Still Small Voice, and understand what it means to seek to be obedient at all times, they are ready . . .
Psalm 80:17 – “O that my people would heed Me, that they would walk in My Ways . . .”
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More than 70 years ago, I was catechized by wonderful Marist sisters, who emphasized the human need for the 10 Commandments. Later, as an adult evangelizing in Africa, the USA, & Australia, I found it effective to link the 10 Commandments to our 5 plus 5 fingers, as a fun way to embody and memorize God’s awesome prescription for our eternal happiness. For example:
HAND ONE
Thumb: “With all my heart, mind, body and soul I will worship the one God revealed by Jesus Christ: Father, Son & Holy Spirit.”
Index Finger: “I will serve no other god nor any idol.”
Middle Finger: “I will not use God’s name profanely; I will not swear oaths, for my ‘yes’ is yes and my ‘no’ is no.”
Ring Finger: “I will keep the Sabbath Day holy, in the way Jesus taught us.”
Little Finger: “I will honour my mum and dad.”
HAND TWO
Thumb: “I will love every person as Jeus loves me; I’ll not hurt or kill anyone, nor think evil of them, nor hate or take revenge.”
Index Finger: “I will maintain sexual purity & faithfulness in my thoughts, words & deeds.”
Middle Finger: “I will not steal; I will not rob others of their reputation.”
Ring Finger: “I will not tell lies, deceive, nor cheat.”
Little finger: “I will not covet for God in Christ is providing all I need”.
Notes
In Exodus 20:1-17 and in Deuteronomy 5:6-21 the Semitic Ten Commandments reflected Jewish cultural belief in the cleanness of the right hand (the first five commands) and the uncleanness of the left hand (the second five commands). Tough if you were born left-handed!
Remaining true to Moses’ original, today’s Catholics can expand the Commandments with a positive, personal, ecumenical, & egalitarian hermeneutics, faithful to Jesus’ New Testament teaching & made easily memorizable for today’s visually-oriented young people.
A common resolve among our Church leaders at all levels to see every Catholic parish, every Diocese, and all the Roman Curia back to honoring & obeying these divine treasures, graciously given us by God for our good, would surely transform our worldly society, instead of the world spirit progressively polluting the Church, as we see so often these days.
Is there anything more eternally basic in our Catholic Faith than: “If you love Me; obey My commands.” Yet, how can they be obeyed if they have not been memorized?
Are our new candidates taught that all sins are actually disobediences?
Thanks again for a great article. Ever in the love of The Lamb; blessings from marty
CORRECTION
Australian catechists, RE Teachers & clergy today rarely teach OBEDIENCE to God, though obedience to institutions is emphasized.
I always got the impression that the candidates became fodder for the program so that the RCIA director would have someone to present for the scrutinies at the Sunday Lenten Masses– rather than the program being a service to the candidates, much the way things start to happen in any organization or industry that becomes bueaucratized. (For example, take the medical industry– please!) And we’d have to find someone else to applaud if we had no candidates in a particular year. This article pretty much summarizes it all.
Interesting article on a subject I am not very knowledgeable about.
Yeah, I’m one of those who converted for social reasons–marriage. I don’t know if I recommend that, and often wish I had not “converted.” But if I had not, would I be married now? Would my then-boyfriend (now husband) have dumped me?
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Which is totally ironic, since I was willing to go along with (I was totally cool with it actually, and even brought it to the attention of my cradle Catholic soon-to-be spouse) NFP. My impression is most Catholics are not okay with NFP. The subject of abortion and contraception never came up in RCIA. Not once. And got no direct mention in marriage prep.
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Actually, I can’t remember much of anything about RCIA, except the liberal nun who was horrified I didn’t have a “Paul got knocked off his donkey moment” and threatened to not allow me to be confirmed at Easter. I was crushed at that time, as my zeal for the Church was pretty strong then.
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We are going on 28 years of marriage. From what I have read, a good many Catholics, even traditionalist ones, don’t make it that far.
Congratulations, dear Mr. & Mrs. Hess; thank you for this interesting personal history.
I think King Jesus Christ really delights in your honest self-knowledge.
If only all of us Catholics would be open about the truth of our faith journey . . . for: “Where The Spirit of The LORD is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17b.
Always in the love of The Lamb; blessings from marty
Praise be to God that you made such a choice. The church belongs to Jesus and as long as you know Him and follow His Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you are on the right path, despite obstacles that you encountered in the church while seeking Him. Our sins and the sins of others in the church can push us over the cliff if we let them (I did that once, knowing I was a hypocrite along with the rest). It was a long, lonely 12 years lacking in faith and hope. We need to hang on to the Lord and He will show us His way. 48 years now with a wonderful husband who is not baptized and my hope grows daily along with my trust in God’s mercy for me and him. If God has been so merciful to me, surely He will be merciful to those I love! God bless you and thank you for your story.
This seems to me to be a more appropriate “program” for our times:
Acts 8:35-40
35 Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what doth hinder me from being baptized?
37 And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.
My worry is that we no longer have “inquiry classes,” and that people who want to investigate Catholicism, to consider a possible conversion or to understand a Catholic spouse or fiancé, are lumped in with people who are more or less already committed to converting. On the one hand, this might produce false conversions by unconscious social pressure, and on the other produce irritation or disgust, so that the person walked away.
Another irony: I did go through Inquiry Class. And a woman, a divorcee, was the one to tell me I should think long and hard about joining RCIA if getting married to a Catholic was the major reason “to convert”.
.
Oh, I hated that woman for that comment, but looking back, she had a good point.
Thank you Amy
My wife went through RCIA back in ‘97. She asked me to accompany her to the classes, so I did. The classes were, at best, uneven. Those taught by the two priests who headed the program were excellent, primarily because the priests were not only good teachers and knowledgeable, but also totally approachable; when laypeople led classes, they ranged from good to purgatorial. The main problem my wife experienced was that she often knew more than the people conducting the classes. Unfortunately, one of my clearest memories is of a laywoman leading us in “prayer” (“Close your eyes . . . Now envision a circle . . . Now see light emanating from the circle.”)
Alas, a friend of mine, now deceased, attended RCIA classes led by a feminist nun who warned the students to stay away from the Catechism and frequently criticized the Church for not ordaining women — not exactly the kind of nun who taught us back in the ‘50s and early ‘60s.
I was a “born again Christian for over 20 years before I joined the Church. I read my way into the Church through church history and Catholic publications. What I learned from RCIC classes would have never brought me to Christ or the Church. I considered it pablum or Christian light weight. I can’t even remember being told that I needed to go to confession before being received into the Church ( perhaps I did it was so long ago). I joined because I had painted my self in a corner and there was no where else to go. I wanted to partake of the true Body and Blood of Christ and I knew that the Orthodox Church was not really an option for me. I knew that I had no other option but the classes did nothing to confirm my choice. I realize that this is a very personal experience but it was mine and was very real to me. In spite of this I have been a very faithful Catholic now for over 45 years and have grown to love the Church and feel very much a part of it.
Dear James Connor – what a lovely testimony; thank you!
“No one can come to Me unless they are drawn by The Father who sent Me, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44
“For My Flesh is real food and My Blood is real drink. You who eat My Flesh & drink My Blood live in Me and I live in you.” John 6:55-56
One wonders what the local bishop actually thinks of RCIA (and Confirmation) programs on the ground, when, on the occasion of finally administering the sacraments, he tries to pack the entire catechesis and evangelization into a half-hour homily.
Does the bishop have reason, really, to be confident that the candidates have been fully and accurately evangelized, both deeply formed and fully informed? What material was used? Was attendance consistent? Might there possibly have been quizzes or Q & A along the way, to detect and fill gaps in the presentations or in their reception and comprehension? Not only faith and the beatitudes and St. Vincent de Paul, but also the natural law and morals across the board? Was the Sacrament of Penance (and all of the Sacraments) presented with clarity and personal conviction, and made part of the (what’s that word again, oh yes) “process”?
All this after two generations of what’s called Catholic-Lite?
And, is the DRE being forthright when he responds to the bishop’s last-minute question as to whether each and all of candidates are actually prepared? That is, now with grand decorum fully on display, what if it’s a grave sin to fib about this stuff to a trusting Successor of the Apostles?
Questions from a former and long-time lead in Confirmation programs, and occasional assistant in RCIA.
Dear Peter D. Beaulieu, thanks for the valuable & evocative inside perspective.
No progress until the real Catholic Bishops – true Episcopes for Christ – organize experienced & tested state & national scrutiny teams, whose work is to systematically interview all existing Catechists, RE Teachers, RCIA leaders, Alpha leaders, Youth leaders, Children’s ministers, & any others who are charged with the guidance of tender new Catholic souls & seekers.
Our bishops are in deep sin where they authorize, unexamined, whatever floats to the surface to do this most precious ministry for the lambs of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Episcopal Scrutiny Teams (EST) will be spiritually discerning and skilled in weeding out those candidates with allegiance to materialism, freemasonry, witchcraft, Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age, and anything else that is incompatible with Catholicism. Appointing only loving women and men in whom they discern The Word of Christ dwelling abundantly & who demonstrate a good knowledge of & firm allegiance to the CCC.
In at least two local parishes I’m aware of, that would disqualify the existing Catechists, RCIA team members, RE Teachers, lay leaders, and perhaps, even a priest and a deacon.
The situation is dire. Will the real Episcopes please stand up & do their proper work! Today’s pseudo-Catholicism lacks all power & authority to save anyone’s soul. It could be sued for flagrant misrepresentation! Our bishops could remedy that whenever they chose to.
Always seeking to hear & follow King Jesus Christ; love & blessings from marty
Welborn’s depiction of the last 40 years is very life-like. The collapse that occurred has been widespread and it would seem it was not forestalled by the RCIA nor by trying to be the early Church. There is now a popularizing evangelism, Matthew Kelly (Rocking Chair Prophet), Richard Rohr, Sonja Corbitt (all due respect), etc., that becomes like the litmus test. You could even put Joel Osteen in there and imagine it’s Catholic!
My bishop is synodalist and pro-Supplicans etc. who uses the front pages to advertise dialoguing abortionists in free-fall dialogues “non-polarizing”. There is no correction coming from the RCIA or any of the other evangelists. What to do.
A heart-felt cry, indeed, dear Elias Galy!
Surely there are still many, largely anonymous, parishioners who can be characterized as *Hebrews 3:13-14 Catholics*:
“Every day, as long as this ‘today’ lasts, keep encouraging one another so that none of you is hardened by the lure of sin, because we shall remain co-heirs with Christ only if we keep a grasp on our first confidence right to the end.”
In the present season of betrayal by so much of the Church hierarchy, we may feel like a minority of one, and wonder if we’ve got it wrong! Yet, the truth is that, around the world, we have millions of faithful *Hebrews 3:13-14* Catholic brothers & sisters.
Catholic World Report ministers a great service to Christ in enabling a form of true synodality, where we little ones of King Jesus Christ can affirm one another.
Stay strong in THE LORD; blessings from marty
Hello Dr. James Martin Rice,
Wonderful comments from someone who has seen a lot and learned to love by looking at Our Lord.
On this side of the world, despite everything, I believe we have anonymous Catholics who do exactly what is described in Hebrews.
Just as an example we have an orchestra conductor who, together with a priest, leads a fabulous study group called Theophilus with the proposal of reading the entire Bible based on the Tradition of the holy doctors of the Church.
God bless,
Thank you, dear Hermés Azevedo: that is genuine encouragement in Christ Jesus Our LORD, who alone is worthy and to whom we delight to give ALL praise and glory and power and majesty forever!
Dear Bishops,
Please scrap the scrutinies if not RCIA altogether. Having an alternate set of readings for the Holy Season of Lent is confusing and divisive. And it sends an odd message to converts: We are going to prepare you to join the worship of the Universal Church by deploying a set of readings that differs from what would otherwise be used. As for RCIA, it is billed as a “restoration of the catechumenate,” when everyone knows that’s antiquarian nonsense. Does anyone think St. Cyril of Jerusalem did anything remotely similar to today’s process? Besides, it’s mostly filled with candidates, i.e., Protestant converts, and not catechumens, i.e., the unbaptized, which is counter to its original purpose. The entire process is contrived, confusing, cumbersome, and bureaucratic. Please just stop it.
What’s missing from this piece (unless I missed it) is the stat about how many who have come into the Church through parish RCIA programs have remained faithful, practicing Catholics 5 years after being received. My last recollection of that stat was that the number was abysmally low.
Our parish’s RCIA (now called OCIA for “Order”) has been an incredible wasteland for years. We’ve been through five RE directors in fifteen years. The current one is completely unorganized, has no clue on how to run a classroom and subsequently no idea how to implement anything. Most of the “catechists” are last year’s “graduates.” The program follows the school schedule, so anyone wanting to convert, even those who have a good grasp of the faith, must wait to start in September with all the newbies. Such a turn off to anyone seriously looking to convert. In fact, the entire faith formation program lacks any substance. I can’t figure out why we even pay this person.