My Rite of Welcoming was today

[quiet52]

re: candidates being dismissed from mass to join the Breaking of the Word:

Why Candidates are Not Dismissed

 The dismissal formularies in the ritual book never include baptized candidates, who once having celebrated the Rite of Welcoming, are to "regularly [attend] Sunday Eucharist "(RCIA 413).  The ritual book makes this distinction because the candidates are already baptized, while the catechumens are not.  The rationale for not dismissing the candidates in this case is a contemporary expression of the practice of the early Church in which the catechumens were dismissed prior to the Liturgy of the Eucharist because they were not yet baptized.  The candidates, however, "are already part of the community because they have been marked by Baptism" (RCIA 412), and thus their presence at the Liturgy of the Eucharist is appropriate, even though they cannot yet receive the Eucharist.

 However, since the candidates, like the catechumens, cannot partake of the Eucharist, they can also benefit from additional nourishment by the Word of God.  Reflection on the Word sessions, therefore, should optimally be scheduled to make it possible for candidates who have already participated in Sunday (or the Saturday vigil) Mass, or are planning to do so later that day, to join the catechumens at the dismissal, if they are able.  This necessarily places an additional time burden on the candidates who desire the experience of the Reflection on the Word session.

from RCIA Leader’s Guide, Association for Catechumenal Ministry, p. 64

 

[quiet52]

Well all, I had my Rite of Welcoming today, I’ve ‘graduated’ from inquiry and I’m now a candidate.

I was presented in Mass today by my sponsor. We have a ‘BOW’ or ‘Break open the Word’ after the homily in a separate place, and then we have discussions for about an hour and half after the BOW.

So far I’m loving RCIA, I can’t believe there wasn’t a brainwave to re-establish RCIA earlier. I wouldn’t want to be brought into the Church any other way.

So, I can’t wait to say to all of you that you are truly my brothers and sisters! Pray for me!

Casherman, I’m happy for you. Isn’t it a beautiful rite? I have seen people cry (candidates, sponsors, others) during the signing on the forehead (“Receive the cross on your forehead as a reminder of your baptism into Christ’s saving death and resurrection”) and the signing of the senses.

Did your parish present you with a bible after the homily? If so, I’m curious which you were given. Enjoy your journey of faith!

 

[DJgang]

I wish our parish would observe the Rite of Welcoming…

I am baptized. I feel like in our RCIA class, we are spending way too much time going over the normal Christian teachings. (the trinity, divine nature of Christ, the holy spirit,) We are not studying Church teaching (maybe we will get to that, we’ve only been told to read the CCC, and were given an outline book), however, I can’t help but wonder about those people who haven’t educated themselves on the Faith and this is the only class in their education on Church teachings

I may bring this up to the Priest…well…in a nice polite way…

I pray that I’m not jumping the gun on my thoughts about RCIA and it turns out to be a very educational experience.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I wish our parish would observe the Rite of Welcoming…

I am baptized. I feel like in our RCIA class, we are spending way too much time going over the normal Christian teachings. (the trinity, divine nature of Christ, the holy spirit,) We are not studying Church teaching (maybe we will get to that, we’ve only been told to read the CCC, and were given an outline book), however, I can’t help but wonder about those people who haven’t educated themselves on the Faith and this is the only class in their education on Church teachings

I may bring this up to the Priest…well…in a nice polite way…

I pray that I’m not jumping the gun on my thoughts about RCIA and it turns out to be a very educational experience.

I’m not looking at my RITE book at the moment. But I’m reasonably sure that the Rite of Welcome is NOT an option for Candidates except for maybe serious reasons.

 

[Joannm]

I’m not looking at my RITE book at the moment. But I’m reasonably sure that the Rite of Welcome is NOT an option for Candidates except for maybe serious reasons.

I don’t have my rites book here either but I think the Rite of Welcome for candidates is optional in the United States, but it does not contain the signing of senses. That belongs only to the unbaptized. Part of the confusion is all the optional rites in the appendix for the United States but a careful read of it sorts how who participates in which rites. The unbaptized acutally go through the Rite of Acceptance, which includes the signing of senses.

 

[JohnnyReb]

A sponsor should have been with you beginning with the Inquiry phase. You can ask any practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church to be your Sponsor. Or the parish you are attending RCIA at can help find one for you.

I did not have a sponsor from the beginning either. We are introduced to them next week. They are going to hook us up.

 

[JohnnyReb]

I wish our parish would observe the Rite of Welcoming…

I am baptized. I feel like in our RCIA class, we are spending way too much time going over the normal Christian teachings. (the trinity, divine nature of Christ, the holy spirit,) We are not studying Church teaching (maybe we will get to that, we’ve only been told to read the CCC, and were given an outline book), however, I can’t help but wonder about those people who haven’t educated themselves on the Faith and this is the only class in their education on Church teachings

I may bring this up to the Priest…well…in a nice polite way…

I pray that I’m not jumping the gun on my thoughts about RCIA and it turns out to be a very educational experience.

It has been very basic for us too until last night when we got the tour of the church. We went into parts of the church, and they used the tour to teach on some catholic distinctives. It was facinating. I did not know the church could dispose of left over consecrated communion wine by burying it. I think some people need the Christian basics that are coming in, and the reinforcement of those truths does not hurt someone like you are me…granted it might bore us a little at times.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I did not have a sponsor from the beginning either. We are introduced to them next week. They are going to hook us up.

The Rite #10 I believe says that a Sponsor should be assigned (if a persons does not bring their own) at the beginning of the Inquiry phase. I’m sorry that they do not follow the required form for RCIA. I pray they you will receive all the graces necessary for your journey .