Question about Rites and RCIA

[waxwing]

Hello,

I am Catholic but am in RCIA for confirmation - the director said this AM that the Rite of Acceptance is coming up in the next couple months, I mentioned to him that I wouldn’t be attending this because I’m already Catholic. He said yes you all will be participating in this - I don’t feel comfortable about this at all. Also last year when I was at RCIA I went through this rite, but at that point I was under the assumption that I wasn’t baptized, when in fact I have been, the parish has my Baptismal Certificate.

Just thought I would throw that out there for anyones thoughts

Thanks
ww

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello,

I am Catholic but am in RCIA for confirmation - the director said this AM that the Rite of Acceptance is coming up in the next couple months, I mentioned to him that I wouldn’t be attending this because I’m already Catholic. He said yes you all will be participating in this - I don’t feel comfortable about this at all. Also last year when I was at RCIA I went through this rite, but at that point I was under the assumption that I wasn’t baptized, when in fact I have been, the parish has my Baptismal Certificate.

Just thought I would throw that out there for anyones thoughts

Thanks
ww

The Rite of Acceptance is for those inquirers who are NOT Baptized and are ready according to their Sponsors and the pastor to enter into the Catecumenate.

The Rite of Welcome which can be celebrated on the same day (Sunday) as the Rite of Acceptance, but should be celebrated on a different day (Sunday) if possible is for Candidates who are already validly Baptized in another Christian Community, and who’s sponsor feels they are ready for the next step toward Full Communion.

As a practicing Catholic you would NOT participate in either.

 

[japhy]

I am Catholic but am in RCIA for confirmation - the director said this AM that the Rite of Acceptance is coming up in the next couple months, I mentioned to him that I wouldn’t be attending this because I’m already Catholic. He said yes you all will be participating in this - I don’t feel comfortable about this at all.

I would address this with your pastor; what Br. Rich has said is accurate, and it’s not proper for you to go through either rite. Technically you don’t even belong in RCIA since you’re a Catholic already; I’m aware that some parishes incorporate adult Catholics who are seeking confirmation into the RCIA program, but this isn’t what the RCIA process is for.

 

[waxwing]

I would address this with your pastor; what Br. Rich has said is accurate, and it’s not proper for you to go through either rite. Technically you don’t even belong in RCIA since you’re a Catholic already; I’m aware that some parishes incorporate adult Catholics who are seeking confirmation into the RCIA program, but this isn’t what the RCIA process is for.

Thanks - when he mentioned that everyone including me would participating in this, I sort of knew that this wouldn’t be right, but being that all the others were there it wouldn’t be a appropriate place to “argue” this. I will speak to him privately and indicate I will NOT be participating in this rite

Thanks again
ww

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Not too long ago I asked about the Rite of Welcoming for someone who is already baptized Catholic. See forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=266752

1ke said:

The Rite book says the Rite of Welcoming is for **both **those baptized as Catholics who seek to complete their Sacraments of Initiation and those in other denominations who seek to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

So it sounds like the OP could go through the Rite of Welcoming though definitely not the Rite of Acceptance.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Not too long ago I asked about the Rite of Welcoming for someone who is already baptized Catholic. See forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=266752

1ke said:

So it sounds like the OP could go through the Rite of Welcoming though definitely not the Rite of Acceptance.

I’m not looking at the Rite book, right now. But I would guess that it intends it is for those who may have been Baptized Catholic as infants, but never received their First Holy Communion or Confirmation. NOT practicing, Mass going, Catholics who are just seeking Confirmation.

 

[Phemie]

I’m not looking at the Rite book, right now. But I would guess that it intends it is for those who may have been Baptized Catholic as infants, but never received their First Holy Communion or Confirmation. NOT practicing, Mass going, Catholics who are just seeking Confirmation.

I just looked at my Rite and you are right. It specifically mentions those who are receiving both sacraments.

In our parish any adult who seeks Confirmation only is prepared privately and is confirmed by the bishop when he confirms the children.

 

[love4mary]

I was baptized Catholic as an infant but grew up far from the faith.

When going through RCIA in 2003, I participated in ALL the rites. Even though I didn’t need all the rites technically, I still believe that I received graces and plus the experience was faithbuilding and wonderful.

When the Easter Vigil came, I received Comfirmation and Holy Communion but was not re-baptized.

You might not have to participate in all the RCIA rites that take place through out the year till Easter, but what would it hurt?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m not looking at the Rite book, right now. But I would guess that it intends it is for those who may have been Baptized Catholic as infants, but never received their First Holy Communion or Confirmation. NOT practicing, Mass going, Catholics who are just seeking Confirmation.

I’m sure you’re right.

In my parish we actually do adult Confirmation separately from RCIA. If you need both First Eucharist and Confirmation you go through RCIA while those who need Confirmation only go through preparation for that sacrament only.

I was baptized Catholic as an infant but grew up far from the faith.

When going through RCIA in 2003, I participated in ALL the rites. Even though I didn’t need all the rites technically, I still believe that I received graces and plus the experience was faithbuilding and wonderful.

When the Easter Vigil came, I received Comfirmation and Holy Communion but was not re-baptized.

If you need both sacraments then RCIA is the right way to go. But someone can be a practicing Catholic and have slipped through the cracks when it came time to be Confirmed.

Just so you know, even someone who has been baptized in another Christian community is not re-baptized.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was baptized Catholic as an infant but grew up far from the faith.

When going through RCIA in 2003, I participated in ALL the rites. Even though I didn’t need all the rites technically, I still believe that I received graces and plus the experience was faithbuilding and wonderful.

When the Easter Vigil came, I received Comfirmation and Holy Communion but was not re-baptized.

You might not have to participate in all the RCIA rites that take place through out the year till Easter, but what would it hurt?

What does it hurt? Well it is improper to do so or be required to do so. The Rites apply to specific persons who are in specific circumstances. For instance a Baptized person does NOT participate in the Rite of Election because they are not *Carechumens *and do not become Elect. It causes confusion and promotes misunderstanding.

 

[benedictgal]

In another thread, I believe that waxwing noted that he had already received First Holy Communion.

This summer the RCIA director spoke to me and said you know you’ve been catechized, your Catholic, why don’t you go to first confession and then receive First Communion. I discussed this with the Priest and he said yes you can go to Confession and receive Eucharist. Well I did, am so glad that after two years of attending Mass and not receiving, finally I can, it was a very nourishing and unifying experience.

Since this is the case, then, he shouldn’t have to go through the Rite of Welcoming since all he lacks is the sacrament of Confirmation. That being said, then, he needs to clarify this with his pastor.

 

[puzzleannie]

just checked and we will be celebrating the [combined] Rite of acceptance into the order of Catechumens and of the Rite of Welcoming of Baptized but uncatechized adults who are preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. (begins with paragraph 505 in the ritual book). This clearly in the context and explanations includes those baptized Catholic but uncatechized who are completing initiation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

just checked and we will be celebrating the [combined] Rite of acceptance into the order of Catechumens and of the Rite of Welcoming of Baptized but uncatechized adults who are preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. (begins with paragraph 505 in the ritual book). This clearly in the context and explanations includes those baptized Catholic but uncatechized who are completing initiation.

That is correct it would include those Baptized as infants in the Catholic Church but never raised Catholic. The Combined Rite is an option when it is not possible to celebrate separatre Rites. I would assume that there is a reason why your parish cannot celebrate separatre Rites of Acceptance and Welcome.

 

[benedictgal]

That is correct it would include those Baptized as infants in the Catholic Church but never raised Catholic. The Combined Rite is an option when it is not possible to celebrate separatre Rites. I would assume that there is a reason why your parish cannot celebrate separatre Rites of Acceptance and Welcome.

Br. Rich, I can see where the combination is an option; however, if the OP has already indicated that he received First Holy Communion and went through First Penance (as I quoted him from his previous thread), then, why would he have to go through the Rite of Welcome? He’s already way ahead of the others. I think that this is the bone of contention here.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Br. Rich, I can see where the combination is an option; however, if the OP has already indicated that he received First Holy Communion and went through First Penance (as I quoted him from his previous thread), then, why would he have to go through the Rite of Welcome? He’s already way ahead of the others. I think that this is the bone of contention here.

“Baptized as infants in the Catholic Church but never raised Catholic.” Would not include anyone who has received preparation for the Sacraments of and received First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. So no he would not participate in the Rite of Welcome if I were coordinating RCIA at his parish.

 

[puzzleannie]

. I would assume that there is a reason why your parish cannot celebrate separatre Rites of Acceptance and Welcome.

yes because I am only one person and it is hard enough to run multiple classes to meet everyone’s pastoral and schedule needs, and it is like pulling teeth to get the full rites celebrated in any case, so I take what I can get. I am not Padre Pio so I can’t bilocate. now if I can just get them all to attend this Mass . . .

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

yes because I am only one person and it is hard enough to run multiple classes to meet everyone’s pastoral and schedule needs, and it is like pulling teeth to get the full rites celebrated in any case, so I take what I can get. I am not Padre Pio so I can’t bilocate. now if I can just get them all to attend this Mass . . .

I do understand.

 

[benedictgal]

I can see where the combination is an option; however, if the OP has already indicated that he received First Holy Communion and went through First Penance (as I quoted him from his previous thread), then, why would he have to go through the Rite of Welcome? He’s already way ahead of the others. I think that this is the bone of contention here.

I just wanted to remind y’all that the OP has already indicated in another post that he received his First Holy Communion and made his first confession. Since that is the case, why would he have to go through the rite of Welcome since he has already completed two sacraments of initiation (Baptism and First Holy Communion). I think that point should matter in this discussion.

I am not contesting what puzzleannie, Br. Rich and others have said in this thread. We just need to remember that the OP’s circumstances are not a one-size-fits all matter. He needs some clarification. As others have indicated, given his unique circumstance, he needs to address this matter directly with the pastor.