Must A Convert Do This?

[jimcav]

I noticed that once a convert goes through and completes the RCIA program, they are asked to come before the congregation during Sunday mass and be “introduced”, and a prayer is said for them. They are always applauded for their conversion. This is usually done around Easter.

Well, I have a friend who I believe is very interested in conversion, but for his own reasons, doesn’t want to stand in front of the congregation and be introduced. He would prefer to do RCIA without everyone knowing, in other words, he wants to keep it personal.

So can one convert without the ceremony in front of the congregation?.

 

[jmcrae]

I noticed that once a convert goes through and completes the RCIA program, they are asked to come before the congregation during Sunday mass and be “introduced”, and a prayer is said for them. They are always applauded for their conversion. This is usually done around Easter.

Well, I have a friend who I believe is very interested in conversion, but for his own reasons, doesn’t want to stand in front of the congregation and be introduced. He would prefer to do RCIA without everyone knowing, in other words, he wants to keep it personal.

So can one convert without the ceremony in front of the congregation?.

When he receives the Sacraments of Initiation, this will take place in public, typically at the Easter Vigil Mass, or at a Mass of the priest’s choosing - it can’t be done in private, because the Sacraments are not private.

We are also not allowed to hide our faith from the world, just fyi - if he is wanting a private ceremony in order that people should not know that he has become Catholic, this is against Church teaching - he can’t do that. If he is just shy, then I recommend that he go with a large RCIA group, so that he can be “lost in the crowd.”

 

[1ke]

Your friend should talk to a priest. He can discuss his issues with the priest and he can give counsel as to what the options are.

What you describe is not any sort of official rite of RCIA. Although, there are rites for which the candidates and/or catechumens may be up in front (usually as a group, not an individual).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I noticed that once a convert goes through and completes the RCIA program, they are asked to come before the congregation during Sunday mass and be “introduced”, and a prayer is said for them. They are always applauded for their conversion. This is usually done around Easter.

Well, I have a friend who I believe is very interested in conversion, but for his own reasons, doesn’t want to stand in front of the congregation and be introduced. He would prefer to do RCIA without everyone knowing, in other words, he wants to keep it personal.

So can one convert without the ceremony in front of the congregation?.

No. For this reason RCIA is not a “Conversion Class”. It is a **Liturgical Rite. **Liturgical Rites, are always celebrated within the parish Christian Community. The “whole Parish” should be invloved in the RCIA process, especially the Rites.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I noticed that once a convert goes through and completes the RCIA program, they are asked to come before the congregation during Sunday mass and be “introduced”, and a prayer is said for them. They are always applauded for their conversion. This is usually done around Easter. . . .

I think you are referring to the Rite of Sending.

Properly the Bishop would administer the Sacraments of Initiation to those coming into the Church. However, given the numbers, this is impractical. Therefore the Catechumens are sent to the Bishop, usually early in Lent for the Rite of Election at which he elects them to receive the Sacraments and authorizes their pastors to administer them. This is formalized by his signing the Book of the Elect, in which they have signed their names, and returning it to their parish.

Preparatory to that Rite the catechumens are brought before the parish to signify their desire to receive the sacraments by signing the Book of the Elect and to request approval by the parish. The congregation is then asked to approve the catechumens and to send them to the Bishop for Election. The applause, acclamation, is not a congratulation. It is the ancient was for the congregation to signify their approval for candidates to receive sacraments. There is similar applause for the candidates at an Ordination Mass.

It is important to realize that entry to the Catholic Church is not just a *Me and Jesus *experience. It is an integration into the Body of Christ.

 

[jimcav]

Thanks for all your answers guys.

I should have guessed this myself, because I know that sacraments are a public showing, and not private.

I will have to help get my friend over this hurdle…