Myth: A year-round catechumenate process is harder than a school-year program

Every parish team I’ve talked with that has transitioned to an ongoing catechumenate process tells me that the amount of work involved is either the same or less than when they were running a school. See:

• RCIA: Learn why year-round is easier
• Is your RCIA open all year-round? It’s easier than you think

Myth: It takes a long time to become Catholic

In North America, the majority of the seekers in our catechumenate processes are already baptized. Many baptized people do not need to be in the process for very long. See:

• What are the requirements in the RCIA for a Lutheran becoming Catholic?
• Why your candidates might not belong in the RCIA
• Six Keys to Catechesis for Baptized Candidates

For unbaptized catechumens, they need to be in the catechumenate for at least one full liturgical year. However, once they become catechumens, they are at that moment joined to the church. So it does not take very long at all to become a member of the Catholic community. See:

• Does RCIA change what it means to belong?

Myth: If we don’t teach directly from the catechism (or a textbook or a video series), we risk not teaching the full doctrine of the Catholic Church

The goal of the catechumenate process is not a mastery of doctrine. It is conversion to the person of Jesus Christ. Pope Francis says that what we are to teach is the first proclamation that Jesus loves you. See:

• The one, most important thing we have to teach in the RCIA
• The RCIA challenge of developing intimacy with Jesus—and my billion best friends
• How to use your parish as your RCIA textbook
• Conversion and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Once they become catechumens, they are at that moment joined to the church. It does not take very long at all to become a member of the Catholic community.

Myth: The seekers are a small faith community, and it is important for them to all journey together

The goal of the catechumenate process is conversion to the person of Jesus Christ. It is not to join a small group. We find the presence of Christ most fully in the ecclesial community, especially when we gather for worship. See:

• What should RCIA teams ask of parishioners?
• Should inquirers be joining “the RCIA”?
• Is your RCIA open all year-round? Let the liturgical seasons be your guide (Part 1)
• How to reduce hoop jumping in the RCIA

Myth: It is inhospitable to dismiss the catechumens from Mass

We are all dismissed from Mass. The catechumens are simply dismissed at a different time than the rest of us. The catechumens are dismissed because they are part of a different order in the church—the order of catechumens. Those of us in the order of the baptized priesthood and the order of the ministerial priesthood remain after the liturgy of the word to offer the sacrifice of the Mass. See:

• Five things your RCIA team may not know about the dismissal
• Looking again at why RCIA dismissal is important

Myth: 50% of those initiated through the RCIA no longer practice their faith five years after initiation

This is just untrue. It is not supported by any study or any verifiable statistics. In fact, the opposite is true. See:

• How effective is the RCIA?
• RCIA Retention Rates Not Just Good, They’re Excellent

Your Turn

What myths have you heard about the RCIA in your parish? Which of the myths listed here have you had to address in your parish? Share your thoughts in the comments below.