Questions about Rite of Election

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Hello, I’m a baptized Christian (valid baptism outside of the Church) in RCIA. The Rite of Election is this weekend, but I recently read something that made it sound like I don’t need to go to it. Is this true?

Also, the same source mentioned that confirmation shouldn’t be done at Easter Vigil, but I’m fairly sure that my church does both baptism and confirmation at the same time (maybe?), if so, is this an issue?
 
If your parish’s RCIA programs asks you to be present at the Rite of Election, you go. Simple. 😉

Not sure where you read that confirmation should not be administered during the Easter Vigil, but that is not correct. The three sacraments of initiation (baptism, Eucharist, confirmation) are to be administered to all adult converts who have received instruction, or as many of these three sacraments as each needs. (Those who have been previously baptized must also make their confession before receiving the other sacraments.) Pastors have permission to confirm on this night, for precisely this reason.
 
SpeakKindly said:
Hello, I’m a baptized Christian (valid baptism outside of the Church) in RCIA. The Rite of Election is this weekend, but I recently read something that made it sound like I don’t need to go to it. Is this true?

Also, the same source mentioned that confirmation shouldn’t be done at Easter Vigil, but I’m fairly sure that my church does both baptism and confirmation at the same time (maybe?), if so, is this an issue?
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Check with your RCIA team. In many dioceses the Rite of Election (for catechumens) and Call to Continuing Conversion (for candidates) are combined. In other dioceses they’re done separately. Your RCIA folks will know what your diocese does.

Confirmation may or may not be done at the Easter Vigil. It’s not required that it be at that Mass but it’s very commonly done.

Trust that your RCIA team has been through this before and knows what’s needed. It’s good for your peace of mind.
 
PaulfromIowa said:
There is a difference between catechumens, the unbaptized, and candidates, who are validly baptized outside the Church. Technically, RCIA is only for catechumens but the two groups are often combined and educated together.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rite_of_Christian_Initiation_of_Adults#The_Combined_Rite_.5B547_-_549.5D
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Actually, there are different forms of RCIA.

While it’s not ideal (but is permitted) for the unbaptized and the previously-baptized to be combined into a single group, they are both still forms of RCIA.

I often see it posted here on CAF that the previously-baptized do not belong in RCIA. That’s not accurate. They do belong in RCIA, but they should not be confused with Catechumens.

Combining the two RCIA groups is a mixed blessing. It has its advantages, and it has its disadvantages.
 
SpeakKindly said:
Hello, I’m a baptized Christian (valid baptism outside of the Church) in RCIA. The Rite of Election is this weekend, but I recently read something that made it sound like I don’t need to go to it. Is this true?

Also, the same source mentioned that confirmation shouldn’t be done at Easter Vigil, but I’m fairly sure that my church does both baptism and confirmation at the same time (maybe?), if so, is this an issue?
Click to expand...
I went through this last year as a baptised Christian. We also had unbaptised. There was slightly different procedures during a combined event for the baptised and the unbaptised. Your RCIA director could probably explain the difference if you ask.

Bottom line. Just follow the lead of your priest and RCIA leader. Don’t worry they know what they are doing. We are called to obedience.
 
SpeakKindly said:
Hello, I’m a baptized Christian (valid baptism outside of the Church) in RCIA. The Rite of Election is this weekend, but I recently read something that made it sound like I don’t need to go to it. Is this true?
Click to expand...
It depends on your diocese. Most US diocese today do both the Rite of Election and the Call to Conversion at a single ceremony. Check the notices carefully.

Also, it depends on exactly what you mean when you say that you “read something.” If that something came from your diocese or pastor, then you should check with your pastor to verify whether or not you should go. On the other hand, if you read something on the internet that conflicts with what the diocese/pastor told you, then don’t trust the internet.
Also, the same source mentioned that confirmation shouldn’t be done at Easter Vigil, but I’m fairly sure that my church does both baptism and confirmation at the same time (maybe?), if so, is this an issue?
Click to expand...
It’s not the ideal situation to receive the previously-baptized into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass.

For the un-baptized, Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion should be done at the Easter Vigil. This is the ideal way, so Confirmation should indeed be done at the Easter Vigil.

On the other hand, receiving previously-baptized adults into the Church at the Easter Vigil (Confirmation without Baptism) requires special permission from the bishop, and is not the ideal situation, but most US bishops have given this permission–in fact, it’s become so common that most people don’t even realize that the permission is necessary.
 
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