Dismissal of Catechumens and Candidates

[SammyJankis90]

I just found out about a practice in which Catechumens and Candidates are dismissed prior to the Eucharist. The previous masses I’ve been to, at an out-of-state church while on vacation, did not do this, so this is new to me. Because of poor timing, I most likely won’t be starting RCIA until the start of the fall semester. In the intervening period, while I’m probably not technically a Candidate, should I leave if Catechumens and Candidates are dismissed?

 

[Corki]

The purpose of the dismissal is for the Catechumens to do a breaking open the word session. Unless you are attending those sessions, there is no reason for you to leave.

 

[SammyJankis90]

Thanks! Good to know.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Candidates shouldn’t be dismissed.

The dismissal is for catechumens, that is, those who are not yet baptized. They go out to break open the word and be nourished by it.

 

[TrueLight]

Candidates shouldn’t be dismissed.

The dismissal is for catechumens, that is, those who are not yet baptized. They go out to break open the word and be nourished by it.

Does anyone still dismiss catechumens, and what is a breaking open of the word.

 

[Phemie]

Does anyone still dismiss catechumens, and what is a breaking open of the word.

Our parish did last time we had one – that was about 6 years ago. They hear the Gospel then they are dismissed to discuss what they heard.

 

[novusCatholic]

Our class was dismissed as a group, both the candidates and the catechumens. We were pretty much always lumped together throughout the RCIA process.

I understand the importance of breaking open the word, but as a candidate, it sometimes left me with an uneasy feeling. I felt that I was not getting credit for already being a baptized, practicing Christian. Also, even though a candidate may not be able to receive communion, I see value in witnessing it.

All that being said, I did enjoy the time that we spent discussing the day’s scripture, sharing stories from our week, discussing our journey toward full communion, etc. So, there was value in it as well.

 

[TrueLight]

Also, even though a candidate may not be able to receive communion, I see value in witnessing it.

.

I agree.

I thought dismissal meant you just got to go home which would be very disappointing.

I don’t think all churches do the dismissal though.

 

[Phemie]

Our class was dismissed as a group, both the candidates and the catechumens. We were pretty much always lumped together throughout the RCIA process.

I understand the importance of breaking open the word, but as a candidate, it sometimes left me with an uneasy feeling.** I felt that I was not getting credit for already being a baptized, practicing Christian. ** Also, even though a candidate may not be able to receive communion, I see value in witnessing it.

All that being said, I did enjoy the time that we spent discussing the day’s scripture, sharing stories from our week, discussing our journey toward full communion, etc. So, there was value in it as well.

That’s precisely why candidates shouldn’t be dismissed. Their status of baptized should always be acknowledged in the rituals. Unfortunately, the logistics in parishes often make that ideal impossible.

 

[quiet52]

The Rite of Dismissal is only for the catechumens (the unbaptized), but the baptized can join them in the BOW. However, the baptized candidates who join the BOW session are expected to attend another Mass, because by virtue of their Baptisms and membership in the Body of Christ, they are subject to the Precepts of the Church – one of which requires attendance at Sunday Mass (the entire Mass).

 

[paperwight66]

. However, the baptized candidates who join the BOW session are expected to attend another Mass, because by virtue of their Baptisms and membership in the Body of Christ, they are subject to the Precepts of the Church – one of which requires attendance at Sunday Mass (the entire Mass).

That doesn’t sound right. Where is that written?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

That doesn’t sound right. Where is that written?

It doesn’t sound right to me either. My understanding is that candidates are not yet Catholic and thus not obligated to attend Mass.

I say that with the understanding that they are to live as fully as possible as if they are already Catholic. I stress to my candidates the importance of attending Mass and follow up with them when they don’t. Still, I believe they are not obligated the same as someone who is already Catholic.

My parish doesn’t dismiss candidates so it’s not an issue for us. But if we did (mistakenly) dismiss them, then I would say that by virtue of having come to Mass they did all that was required/recommended of them.

 

[paperwight66]

It doesn’t sound right to me either. My understanding is that candidates are not yet Catholic and thus not obligated to attend Mass.

I say that with the understanding that they are to live as fully as possible as if they are already Catholic. I stress to my candidates the importance of attending Mass and follow up with them when they don’t. Still, I believe they are not obligated the same as someone who is already Catholic.

My parish doesn’t dismiss candidates so it’s not an issue for us. But if we did (mistakenly) dismiss them, then I would say that by virtue of having come to Mass they did all that was required/recommended of them.

And the other point is that there may not be another Mass for them to attend within reasonable distance.

 

[Corki]

It doesn’t sound right to me either. My understanding is that candidates are not yet Catholic and thus not obligated to attend Mass.

I say that with the understanding that they are to live as fully as possible as if they are already Catholic. I stress to my candidates the importance of attending Mass and follow up with them when they don’t. Still, I believe they are not obligated the same as someone who is already Catholic.

My parish doesn’t dismiss candidates so it’s not an issue for us. But if we did (mistakenly) dismiss them, then I would say that by virtue of having come to Mass they did all that was required/recommended of them.

The obligation doesn’t extend to those who are have not yet been accepted into Communion by the Church. I think that for Candidates, this is when they make their public professon of faith but maybe not even until they are Confirmed.

In smaller parishes, everything is lumped together and even Catholics get dismissed for breaking open the word. This happens when someone may have been baptized but had no further formation and is completing his/her Sacraments. RCIA is not the “right” choice but may be the best available for catechesis. Even if that person technically has an obligation, I would say it is fulfilled by coming to Mass, even if dismissed in the middle.

I just can’t imagine going to Confession and saying “Father, I missed half a Mass last Sunday when I went with my class to do breaking open the word”.

 

[JimG]

I’m no longer involved in RCIA, but I believe that our both our candidates and catechumens are dismissed after the readings and homily. Sponsors are supposed to stay for the rest of the Mass.

I realize that dismissal of the catechumens has an ancient history in the Church. In some old missals, the first part of the Mass–the Liturgy of the Word–is called “Mass of the Catechumens,” and the Eucharistic liturgy is called “Mass of the Faithful.”

Still, the whole thing bothers me a little. Non-Catholics are no longer forbidden from attending the entire Mass. In fact, I’ve sponsored some candidates in RCIA who have faithfully attended Mass for years or decades with their Catholic spouses, and it was only after deciding to become Catholic and joining RCIA that they ever missed a portion of the Mass!

 

[paperwight66]

Still, the whole thing bothers me a little. Non-Catholics are no longer forbidden from attending the entire Mass. In fact, I’ve sponsored some candidates in RCIA who have faithfully attended Mass for years or decades with their Catholic spouses, and it was only after deciding to become Catholic and joining RCIA that they ever missed a portion of the Mass!

Yes. it bothers me too. It’s not consistent. Nobody is dismissed in our parish, perhaps for that reason - it doesn’t make any sense to tell someone who has been attending Mass as a non-Catholic that they now have to miss part of it because they have decided to become Catholic.

 

[5Loaves]

We have dismissal of the catecheumens and BOW in my Latin parish. It not only benefits the catecheumens but also the faithful attending that Mass come to recognize these catecheumens and then often will make a point of talking with them and helping them to feel a part of the community. In my experience the presence of catecheumens, and candidates, in a parish is uplifting and a source of great joy to the faithful in the parish.

I realize that dismissal of the catechumens has an ancient history in the Church.** In some old missals, the first part of the Mass–the Liturgy of the Word–is called “Mass of the Catechumens,” and the Eucharistic liturgy is called “Mass of the Faithful.” **

This is what those parts of the Divine Liturgy are still called Liturgy of the Catechumens and Liturgy of the Faithful When there are catechumens there is a litany for them:

The Litany of the Catechumens
Deacon if he is present or the priest in the absence of a deacon: Pray, ye catechumens, to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
-Ye faithful, for the catechumens let us pray, that the Lord will have mercy on them.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
–That He will catechize them with the word of Truth.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
–That He will reveal unto them the Gospel of righteousness.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
–That He will unite them to His Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
–Save them, have mercy on them, help them, and keep them, O God, by Thy grace.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
–Ye catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.
Choir: To Thee, O Lord. (Slowly, if there be no deacon.)
Priest: That they also with us may glorify Thy most honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.

At the transition from the Liturgy of the Catechumens to the Liturgy of the Faithful the deacon if he is present or the priest in the absence of a deacon prays:

As many as are catechumens, depart; catechumens, depart; as many as are catechumens, depart; let none of the catechumens remain; as many as are of the faithful, again and again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.

Traditionally only the baptized (at that time there were no “protestants”) were allowed to be present for the Holy Mysteries/sacraments because of the enemies of the Church in the community. This is also still reflected when right before the recitation of the Creed the deacon says “–The doors! The doors! In wisdom let us attend.” making sure the doors have kept out those who not initiated, and also in one of several prayers we pray right before we receive Holy Eucharist:

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord in Thy Kingdom.

Our priests often say “the Liturgy is the catechesis” and I think it truly is.

 

[asia53]

Does anyone still dismiss catechumens, and what is a breaking open of the word.

As far as I know, catechumens are dismissed in my area. They meet elsewhere, usually their RCIA classroom, and discuss the readings and Gospel reading. “Breaking open the word”— open discussion of the readings and Gospel reading.

 

[puzzleannie]

I just found out about a practice in which Catechumens and Candidates are dismissed prior to the Eucharist. The previous masses I’ve been to, at an out-of-state church while on vacation, did not do this, so this is new to me. Because of poor timing, I most likely won’t be starting RCIA until the start of the fall semester. In the intervening period, while I’m probably not technically a Candidate, should I leave if Catechumens and Candidates are dismissed?

welcome home
when you begin your formal preparation you will be directed on what to do, when, as every parish does not dismiss catechumens. we can’t because of scheduling and use of space. In any case, dismissal of candidates is optional, it is usually only the catechumens who are dismissed for their instruction on the readings.

 

[lutherlic]

We dismiss catechumens and candidates together but recognize that they are distinctly different. I never saw it as a big deal. Attending the entire class, including BOW, was helpful for the candidates almost as much as the catechumens.

As to not being present to see the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we did not schedule RCIA one out of three or four weeks for one reason or another. Those weeks, everyone stayed for the full Mass.