On meeting the Archbishop

[Johann_du_Toit]

As part of my confirmation process into the Church, I will be going to the Cathedral in Johannesburg next weekend to meet with with his grace the Archbishop .

I’m not exactly sure what to say and if he is going to quiz me about doctrine of the Church.

Is there any advice from any other converts on what to expect and how I should prepare myself?

 

[brycehecht]

He will NOT quiz you on Church doctrine. I have met my local bishop on numerous occasions as part of my vocation to priesthood. He will most likely ask how you are feeling about the whole process, how your spiritual life is, what you are most looking forward to about being Catholic, etc. The Bishop will respect the fact that you don’t have a doctorate in Sacred Theology! He is just concerned about your faith life. I will pray for your visit.

 

[4love2God]

The OP is about to meet his Archbishop.
Good for you.

He asks : "Is there any advice … on what to expect, and how I should prepare myself?"
The main thing is protocol.
Know how to properly address this Bishop.
And, find out how to act at that introduction :
Where to stand?
When to speak?
How much to say?

You should be able to attain this information by speaking with a local priest.
If not, call the Archdiocese, and see if they have a document which spells out all of the protocols that are relevant to your visit.
And, if no document, talk to the protocol expert at the Archdiocese. This is his job, so feel free to ask whatever you want to know.

And, remember, you should expect that your Archbishop is going to treat you with respect, and he will NOT expect perfection from you.
You can bet that he has seen many people come to his office and REALLY Blow it.
So, you will obviously do better than some people in the past. This fact may be comforting.

 

[pianistclare]

Are you really going to meet him as an individual , or are you going with your RCIA class to the Rite of Sending?
We are doing the Rite of Sending next weekend in our Archdiocese…all the RCIA students in every parish is going to a celebration of this Rite, will stand when their name is read out, with many prayers and many pastors, sponsors, and RCIA leaders present. It’s one of the final steps on the road to full communion at the Easter Vigil.
Unless you have specifically been told that he will meet with you personally, you may not have to worry about what to say. You may be part of a large group being blessed.
Either way, it is exciting!
Many blessings on this last bit of preparations…and remember, catechesis is a lifelong thing. None of us can ever say we have learned enough about our faith.

 

[Joannm]

Are you really going to meet him as an individual , or are you going with your RCIA class to the Rite of Sending?
We are doing the Rite of Sending next weekend in our Archdiocese…all the RCIA students in every parish is going to a celebration of this Rite, will stand when their name is read out, with many prayers and many pastors, sponsors, and RCIA leaders present. It’s one of the final steps on the road to full communion at the Easter Vigil.
Unless you have specifically been told that he will meet with you personally, you may not have to worry about what to say. You may be part of a large group being blessed.
Either way, it is exciting!
Many blessings on this last bit of preparations…and remember, catechesis is a lifelong thing. None of us can ever say we have learned enough about our faith.

It sounds like he is going to the Rite of Election. The Rite of Sending is done in individual parishes. On another note, the Rite of Election is only for the baptized unless they are combining it with the Call to Continuing Conversion.

 

[Johann_du_Toit]

It sounds like he is going to the Rite of Election. The Rite of Sending is done in individual parishes. On another note, the Rite of Election is only for the baptized unless they are combining it with the Call to Continuing Conversion.

That’s how I understood it. And thank you and everyone else for your support.

 

[Johann_du_Toit]

Sorry about this update being late, but work kept me busy.
I attended the Cathedral with my RCIA classmates. My priest and my sponsor gave me the honour of riding with me. We were delayed in traffic and there was almost no parking at the cathedral, but we managed to arrive just in time. It was a beautiful ceremony were our sponsors were asked if we were ready to be confirmed into the Church on Easter Saturday (they said we were) we embraced and cheered. The cathedral priest congratulated eveyone for their good behaviour.

The only downside came after the sermon was completed and just before the announcements, when it was announced “will the following people please move your vehicles”:. Mine was the 1st one called.
Still my Priest said it was an honest mistake and it was still a good day.