Catechumen or Candidate?

[beegirl]

I’ll (most likely) be starting RCIA next year… What’s the difference between a *Catechumen *and a Candidate? Does it have anything to do with whether or not the person is baptized (I was baptized at age 8 in a Baptist church)?

 

[Nicea325]

**

I’ll (most likely) be starting RCIA next year… What’s the difference between a *Catechumen *

and a Candidate? Does it have anything to do with whether or not the person is baptized (I was baptized at age 8 in a Baptist church)?**

Yes there is a difference. A catechumen is one who is NOT baptized and a candidate is one who has been baptized in different Christian faith(church). You are a candidate and you should be attending Mass now and once you commence your process.What do I mean? Many RCIA folks (baptized and unbaptized) are dismissed before the priest/deacon commences his sermon. You should stay to hear the sermon,then be dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.And why? Because you are already baptized and belong to the Body of Christ.

Many RCIA coordinators call everyone ‘candidates’ but it can cause confusion. You will only need to receive Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Good Luck!

 

[anjoh66]

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Yes there is a difference. A catechumen is one who is NOT baptized and a candidate is one who has been baptized in different Christian faith(church). You are a candidate and you should be attending Mass now and once you commence your process.What do I mean? Many RCIA folks (baptized and unbaptized) are dismissed before the priest/deacon commences his sermon. You should stay to hear the sermon,then be dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.And why? Because you are already baptized and belong to the Body of Christ.

Many RCIA coordinators call everyone ‘candidates’ but it can cause confusion. You will only need to receive Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Good Luck!

If it is practised, the dismissal of catechumens and candidates alike should be done after the homily.

 

[beegirl]

Thanks for the clear up

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Yes there is a difference. A catechumen is one who is NOT baptized and a candidate is one who has been baptized in different Christian faith(church). You are a candidate and you should be attending Mass now and once you commence your process.What do I mean? Many RCIA folks (baptized and unbaptized) are dismissed before the priest/deacon commences his sermon. You should stay to hear the sermon,then be dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.And why? Because you are already baptized and belong to the Body of Christ.

Many RCIA coordinators call everyone ‘candidates’ but it can cause confusion. You will only need to receive Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Good Luck!

A Catechumen is a person who is not Baptized and has partticipated in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. They are dismissed after the Homily and before the Creed.

A Candidate is a person who is validly Baptized in another Christian Community, they are welcomed through the Rite of Welcome. They remain through the entire Mass because they are already Christians by virtue of their Baptism.

 

[beegirl]

Okay…so I guess I would be considered a Candidate…since I was baptized (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as a child.

Just wondering…is this somethign I’ll have to prove to the church - with a certificate of baptism or something? - or will they take my word for it?

Thanks again!

 

[srlucado]

Your parish will make every reasonable effort to find documentation for your baptism…but if none is available, they will almost certainly take your word for it.

(It would be the liar, not the Church, that faces the ultimates consequences of someone lying about such a matter.)

 

[beegirl]

Your parish will make every reasonable effort to find documentation for your baptism…but if none is available, they will almost certainly take your word for it.

(It would be the liar, not the Church, that faces the ultimates consequences of someone lying about such a matter.)

Okay! Well I’m sure I’ll come across my certificate if I look hard enough but if i can’t I have a few other things (cards, gifts, dedicated bibles) that will assure that I’ve been baptized. I honelstly don’t see why someone would lie about it… but you’re right, it wouldn’t be the church who paid the price.

 

[tinalewis]

The church where you were Baptized can send your new church a copy of the certificate. It’s nice to send them a donation to cover the cost, but most will do it as a courtesy.

My Episcopal church told me they don’t send copies of the certificate, they write a letter to the new church saying that so-and-so was Baptized on such-n-such a date. Hoooo boy. But if it’s on their official church letterhead, that’s fine, too.

Congratulations, Ms. Candidate!!!

 

[anjoh66]

A Catechumen is a person who is not Baptized and has partticipated in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. They are dismissed after the Homily and before the Creed.

A Candidate is a person who is validly Baptized in another Christian Community, they are welcomed through the Rite of Welcome. They remain through the entire Mass because they are already Christians by virtue of their Baptism.

I really havent understood why some parishes dismiss the catechumens while others do not, so far i didnt come across a single parish in Sweden that dismiss the catechumens after the homily, not that i have been to so many parishes but anyhow.

Our RCIA conductor who is deacon in the parish of my RCIA said that they saw it better fitting to not dismiss the catechumens, i dont think it is a decree from the bishop.
This parish is Jesuits and sometimes they are not so strict in certain things.

Still also my home parish to which i belong and will be baptized in, (yes i did my RCIA in a different parish) they are Franciskans but they also did not dismiss me, i was the only catechumen in the parish.

I was never dismissed up until now, and i guess its very unlikely that they will start dismissing me now so close to easter vigil.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ll (most likely) be starting RCIA next year… What’s the difference between a *Catechumen *and a Candidate? Does it have anything to do with whether or not the person is baptized (I was baptized at age 8 in a Baptist church)?

you are right, a catechumen is an unbaptized person who has asked to prepare for initiation into the Church and has been accepted through the Rite of Acceptance in to the Order of the Catechumenate. If they decide to proceed after the catechetical portion of their formation at the beginning of Lent the Bishop calls them in the Rite of Election and they are now the Elect. A candidate is a baptized Christian who is preparing for confirmation and Eucharist, which includes a profession of faith, so they are preparing to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. We also use “candidate” as a shorthand for anyone, adult or child, who is preparing for sacraments of initiation.

If you cannot find a record of your baptism your parish secretary can help you contact that church for a letter that attests the facts, or you can get an affidavit signed by witnesses that attests the facts (your name and birth date, names of your parents, date and place of baptism, name of minister, names of godparents or other witnesses. If you are unsure or the facts cannot be established a conditional baptism will be done, usually in private sometime before Easter.

 

[Nicea325]

**

A Catechumen is a person who is not Baptized and has partticipated in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. They are dismissed after the Homily and before the Creed.

A Candidate is a person who is validly Baptized in another Christian Community, they are welcomed through the Rite of Welcome. They remain through the entire Mass because they are already Christians by virtue of their Baptism.

**

The candidates remain throughout the entire Mass? That is where lots of confusions happens with candidates.Some parishes dismiss them and others have them stay.If I am correct, the RCIA Study Edition does not state that candidates must stay or leave. I prefer that the stay and catechumens be dismissed,obviously.

 

[Nicea325]

**QUOTE=beegirl;6434252]Okay…so I guess I would be considered a Candidate…since I was baptized (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as a child.

Just wondering…is this somethign I’ll have to prove to the church - with a certificate of baptism or something? - or will they take my word for it?

Thanks again!**

If your previous church provided any sort of documentation proving you were ‘officially’ baptized. Many Protestant/Evangelical churches do not give actual baptismal certificates.However, many Baptists sects will give a confirmation stating when the individual will be baptized,which is considered valid proof. If no paperwork is produced,then a written letter by two witnesses and signed is considered ‘valid’ proof of baptism.

Do not worry,you will be fine.

 

[anjoh66]

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The candidates remain throughout the entire Mass? That is where lots of confusions happens with candidates.Some parishes dismiss them and others have them stay.If I am correct, the RCIA Study Edition does not state that candidates must stay or leave. I prefer that the stay and catechumens be dismissed,obviously.

What is your reasons for claiming the baptised to stay and catechumens to leave?

There is a certain value of liturgical purity that is validly argued by those who advocate only dismissing the unbaptized catechumens.
This recognizes that catechumens, lacking Baptism, are not yet joined to Christ sacramentally, and would greatly benefit from the additional spiritual nourishment that the Church can offer at the table of the Word of God, as they prepare to join the community at the Eucharistic table.
The other side of this issue notes that, although baptized, the candidates cannot partake of the Eucharist either, and so would also benefit from deepening their experience of the Sunday readings in this special way.
The RCIA text allows for this discernment of pastoral need, without directly calling for candidates to join the catechumens in the dismissal Rite.
(see RCIA 83 and 406).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Okay…so I guess I would be considered a Candidate…since I was baptized (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as a child.

Just wondering…is this somethign I’ll have to prove to the church - with a certificate of baptism or something? - or will they take my word for it?

Thanks again!

Anything that documents your Baptism is acceptable. If you were old enough to fully participate and remember specifics you can also attest to it if necessary and nothing can be found documenting it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I really havent understood why some parishes dismiss the catechumens while others do not, so far i didnt come across a single parish in Sweden that dismiss the catechumens after the homily, not that i have been to so many parishes but anyhow.

Our RCIA conductor who is deacon in the parish of my RCIA said that they saw it better fitting to not dismiss the catechumens, i dont think it is a decree from the bishop.
This parish is Jesuits and sometimes they are not so strict in certain things.

Still also my home parish to which i belong and will be baptized in, (yes i did my RCIA in a different parish) they are Franciskans but they also did not dismiss me, i was the only catechumen in the parish.

I was never dismissed up until now, and i guess its very unlikely that they will start dismissing me now so close to easter vigil.

It is optional, if the parish does not have the resources. Such as properly trained leaders.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The candidates remain throughout the entire Mass? That is where lots of confusions happens with candidates.Some parishes dismiss them and others have them stay.If I am correct, the RCIA Study Edition does not state that candidates must stay or leave. I prefer that the stay and catechumens be dismissed,obviously.

All RCIA training material says this, including the White book.

 

[Nicea325]

What is your reasons for claiming the baptised to stay and catechumens to leave?

What is your reasons for claiming the baptised to stay and catechumens to leave?

Because of the reasons stated below. Most parish that I have been too dismiss the catechumens,believe it or not.

Quote:
There is a certain value of liturgical purity that is validly argued by those who advocate only dismissing the unbaptized catechumens.
This recognizes that catechumens, lacking Baptism, are not yet joined to Christ sacramentally, and would greatly benefit from the additional spiritual nourishment that the Church can offer at the table of the Word of God, as they prepare to join the community at the Eucharistic table.
The other side of this issue notes that, although baptized, the candidates cannot partake of the Eucharist either, and so would also benefit from deepening their experience of the Sunday readings in this special way.
The RCIA text allows for this discernment of pastoral need, without directly calling for candidates to join the catechumens in the dismissal Rite.
(see RCIA 83 and 406).

 

[Melissat9869]

What is the protocol for one who was baptized Catholic but not raised in the church? I have done my own research, attend weekly Mass and plan on attending RCIA class in the fall, but have not gone through first communion, confession or confirmation. I attend Mass every week and stay through the end but do not receive the Eucharist. Thanks in advance for your answers.