Call to Continuing Conversion

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360fit

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During an upcoming Sunday Mass, my local Catholic church (which is becoming more and more progressive) will be holding a “Call to Continuing Conversion” for its confirmation candidates who attend public high schools. (The Bishop will not be present.) All candidates are currently undergoing preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (in the Spring of next year). Additionally, all candidates have already received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Reconciliation. And, I assume, all candidates regularly attend Mass. It is my understanding the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion is held on the First Sunday of Lent for RCIA candidates, whether baptized or unbaptized, and celebrated by the Bishop. While I know Lent came and went this year in March and April, and I know the Bishop will not be present, what most perplexes me is the holding of this ritual for this particular group of candidates. Given the entirety of the scenario, I am seeking clarification whether this has been a traditional Roman Catholic practice for candidates seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation and whether it is doctrinally sound. Thank you.
 
360fit said:
It is my understanding the Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion is held on the First Sunday of Lent for RCIA candidates, whether baptized or unbaptized, and celebrated by the Bishop.
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No.

The Rite of Election is held on the First Sunday of Lent for catechumens and is celebrated by the bishop or his designate.

The Call to Continuing Conversion is used for those who are already baptized. Their sponsors are asked:
  • Have they faithfully listened to the apostles’ instruction proclaimed by the Church?
  • Have they come to a deeper appreciation of their baptism, in which they were joined to Christ and his Church?
  • Have they reflected sufficiently on the tradition of the Church, which is their heritage, and joined their brothers and sisters in prayer?
  • Have they advanced in a life of love and service to others?
Whether the Call to Continuing Conversion is appropriate for those not in RCIA can be debated. But the questions being asked here are certainly important ones for all of us.
 
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I think they are actually combined in celebration; that is, both the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion are celebrated together on the First Sunday of Lent. And, excellent point - yes, pertinent questions for every candidate, regardless. My concern is these are rituals for RCIA candidates and presenting in this manner is literally teaching incorrect church practices to both the public high school candidates as well as all in attendance at Mass.
 
360fit said:
I think they are actually combined in celebration; that is, both the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion are celebrated together on the First Sunday of Lent.
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Ideally they are separate. You want recognize the baptismal status of the candidates. But many dioceses, unfortunately, combine them.

In my archdiocese there are three celebrations of the Rite of Election, one with the archbishop and two with an auxiliary bishop. (Hey, Los Angeles is a big place!). The Call to Continuing Conversion is done in individual parishes. Again, there is a recognition that those who are baptized are in a different category from those who are not.
 
Ahhh, thank you very much for that clarification - it is very much appreciated! I am still wringing my hands about this. Any thoughts on the “legitimacy” of celebrating the Call to Continuing Conversion for non-RCIA candidates? I know you previously stated it could be debated. I am very much wanting and willing to hear and weigh all sides. Again, thank you very much.
 
I kind of like the idea of asking the sponsors if their candidates have met the expectations we have of them. It may be a way of emphasizing those elements and getting the teens to take these factors seriously. If the parish wanted some sort of ritual for the confirmation candidates that included this part of the Call to Continuing Conversion I think it would have real possibilities. In less sure about taking the complete rite and applying it to a different group in a different context. I suppose you could make the argument that RCIA can be adapted for baptized but uncatechized Catholics, but if these are kids who are going to Mass and taking part in religious education, I’m not sure they qualify as uncatechized.

Do I sound confused? It’s only because I am!
 
Thank you so much! Me too!!! (This has really confused me!) I greatly appreciate your honesty and willingness to weigh in! It has helped a great deal! Thanks again! (Should I receive a good, thorough answer as to “why” from the Director of Religious Education, I shall post it.)
 
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Please do let us know what the DRE has to say. It may be some well thought out thing we haven’t thought of or it may be a case of hearing about someone else doing it and deciding to follow suit. We may both learn something!
 
From the Archdiocese of New York, February 22, 2017: “• The celebration of the Rite of Ca!ling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion is an optional rite that is celebrated for baptized candidates (adults and teenagers [14+]), who have participated in their parish’s catechumenate (RCIA) process and are ready either to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist or to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church (RCIA, 446).”

While it does not address those teenagers who have not gone through a process of joining the Church (as they were already members, but are approaching the age of reception of Confirmation), a) it is an optional rite, and b) is there really that much difference between teens joining the Church and being confirmed, and those already in the Church and being confirmed? Seriously? Do not both sets of teens need to engage in continual conversion?

I am not aware of anything anywhere which says that the optional rite is only available to one set of teens.

and lest anyone dismiss the New York archdiocese as "just another bunch of liberals, we might recall that the Archbishop is Cardinal Dolan, not exactly a flaming liberal.
 
Thank you for your reply. The point wasn’t whether it could be done; it was whether this is a “true” practice for this group, according to the Church. Thus, I appreciate what you quoted wrt to the Archdiocese of NY. As for Archbishop/Cardinal Dolan, I would prefer to leave a discussion of him and his ways of doing business out of this, most especially since everyone has their own opinion of him (I am not a fan) AND this is about the Church vice one member within it. Again, thank you.
 
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I don’t consider an archbishop “one member” of the Church; he is the chief liturgist there. And I suspect he knows more about liturgy than just about anyone in these forums. The point I was making is that, whether you like him or not, he is not exactly a “do your own thing” liberal.

And if it can be done, then it is a “true” practice. It is not a required practice, but rather an optional rite. That does not make it any less "true’. You seem to want some sort of tallying of how many dicoeses use it; I seriously doubt there is any such poll.

And I will repeat my question: does anyone really think that life-long Catholic teenagers who are approaching the sacrament of Confirmation are in any less need than anyone else of continual conversion?
 
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury. The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly. The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil. A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit. (Proverbs, Chapter 15, Verses 1-4; Douay-Rheims)
 
Handy dandy guide from the USCCB (It does seem an odd time of year…):

Catholic Conversion Process Unwrapped

By Jeannine Marino, J.C.L. For most parishes, Sunday Mass during Lent has been different as people called “the elect” and “candidates” have ...
usccbmedia.blogspot.com usccbmedia.blogspot.com
  1. Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion: This rite is usually held on the First Sunday of Lent and marks the catechumens and candidates’ final preparation for the Easter Sacraments. They reaffirm their intention to join the Church. In the presence of the bishop, the catechumens inscribe their name in the Book of the Elect. From this point forward, the catechumens are called the elect.
 
Thank you very much for this (name removed by moderator)ut! (I had not yet read this blog. Good to know!)
 
It’s an older document and I don’t know if it is still used but this pdf mentions various rites that are used to prepare teens for confirmation in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. There is mention of a Rite for continuing conversion on page 5.

One of the things that I often see on this forum is the statement that, “RCIA is only supposed to be for the unbaptized.”

The problem with that statement is that it refers to RCIA as a single entity. It might make more sense to say “Rites” because there are lots of rites: some optional, some preferred, some required. We don’t always realize many of these rites are the same whether they occur in the context of RCIA or not.
 
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Yes, I agree, both baptized and unbaptized. Excellent point about viewing “Rites” - macro vice micro. And, most certainly, for RCIA candidates or any other type of candidate, it requires the involvement of the entire Church (vice solely the individual candidates, sponsors, and immediately family). Thank you very much for posting.
 
Just read the chapter in your posted .pdf about Confirmation. Wonderful! (Thank you very much!!!) I think your .pdf speaks to my initial question. Instead of calling it a “Call to Continuing Conversion” (which is mostly applied to RCIA programs), it would seem much more appropriate for it to be considered one of the “ceremonies presenting the candidates to the parish community”. While this might be wording, words matter when discussing doctrine, apologetics, catechism, and so forth. When stated as such, I understand it - highly appropriate, acceptable, and applicable. Thanks again!!!

A cut & paste from the .pdf on Confirmation preparation follows:

Parish Participation: The catechetical and pastoral preparation should in some way include the entire parish community and not merely the candidates for Confirmation (Rite of Confirmation #3). The parish community needs to be made aware that some of its members are preparing to celebrate Confirmation. This may be accomplished through:
• announcements imparting information through the bulletin, parish newsletters, letters from the pastor, etc.;
• preaching on Sundays during the Easter season and throughout the year;
• parish prayer including Intercessions for the candidates in the Universal Prayer
or the Prayer of the Faithful on Sundays;
• ceremonies presenting the candidates to the parish community;
• photographs of the candidates in the vestibule;
• testimonies of commitment;
• prayer
 
Sadly, in our modern culture things like listing names in the bulletin/newsletters, posting photographs in the vestibule require permission/release forms.
 
NO, only in things that are published to the community at large.
Parishes may absolutely have a board with snapshots in their Narthex or church hall.
 
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