RCIA and annointing with Oil of Catechumens

[DunWil]

RCIA team member from St. Patrick’s Louisville KY. I know I saw somewhere that Catechumens were annointed with the Oil of the Catechumens prior to Baptism…think it was said to be done at the Rite of Acceptance. According to a search of the Catechism from the Vatican it states simply “The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthing…”. I also read on another site that it can be used several times during the course of the catechumenate. Can anyone clear this up for me and explain when the O/C is used during the RCIA process? Our parish skips it and just does the sacred chrism after the Catechumen…Elect…has been baptised.
Thanks,
Chip.

 

[FrCorey]

DunWil:

RCIA team member from St. Patrick’s Louisville KY. I know I saw somewhere that Catechumens were annointed with the Oil of the Catechumens prior to Baptism…think it was said to be done at the Rite of Acceptance. According to a search of the Catechism from the Vatican it states simply “The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthing…”. I also read on another site that it can be used several times during the course of the catechumenate. Can anyone clear this up for me and explain when the O/C is used during the RCIA process? Our parish skips it and just does the sacred chrism after the Catechumen…Elect…has been baptised.
Thanks,
Chip.

Rite of Acceptance, during the signings part of the rite.

54 Next the cross is traced on the forehead of the candidates or, at the discretion of the diocesan bishop, in front of the forehead for candidates in whose culture the act of touching may not seem proper (see no. 33.3) ]; at the discretion of the celebrant the signing of one, several, or all of the senses may follow. The celebrant alone says the formularies accompanying each signing.
55 One of the following options is used, depending on the number of candidates. If there are only a few candidates, the celebrant invites them and their sponsors in these or similar words.
**Come forward now with your sponsors to receive the sign of your new way of life as catechumens.

**With their sponsors, the candidates come one by one to the celebrant with his thumb he traces a cross on the forehead; then, if there is to be no signing of the senses, the sponsor does the same. The celebrant says:

**N., receive the cross on your forehead. It is Christ himself who now strengthens you with this sign of his love. Learn to know him and follow him.

**All sing or say the following or another suitable acclamation.

**Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

**

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

DunWil:

RCIA team member from St. Patrick’s Louisville KY. I know I saw somewhere that Catechumens were annointed with the Oil of the Catechumens prior to Baptism…think it was said to be done at the Rite of Acceptance. According to a search of the Catechism from the Vatican it states simply “The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthing…”. I also read on another site that it can be used several times during the course of the catechumenate. Can anyone clear this up for me and explain when the O/C is used during the RCIA process? Our parish skips it and just does the sacred chrism after the Catechumen…Elect…has been baptised.
Thanks,
Chip.

The Rite of Acceptance is a proper time. But the anointing can also be done at other times. Skipping the OC should not be done. The anointing can take place at an RCIA gathering or prayer service. Read your RCIA RITE book.

P.S. All RCIA directore and team members should sleep with one under their pillow at least!

 

[puzzleannie]

DunWil:

RCIA team member from St. Patrick’s Louisville KY. I know I saw somewhere that Catechumens were annointed with the Oil of the Catechumens prior to Baptism…think it was said to be done at the Rite of Acceptance. Thanks,
Chip.

instead of “seeing it somewhere” as an RCIA team member you should go to the source, the actual Ritual book for RCIA from Liturgical Trainging Publications ltp.org. The study edition is not expensive, and is an absolute requirement for anyone in this ministry.

yes the initial anointing with the oil of catechumens, one of the blessed oils received from the bishop at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday (or whenever it occurs in your diocese) is at the Rite of Acceptance. It may be used at other of the optional rites up to the Rite of Election (when they are no longer catecumens, but the Elect).

The Church prays as the Church believes, and faithful orthodox teaching and practice derive from the Liturgy, from the Rites themselves and the rubrics surrounding them. That is why all ministers in service of the liturgy – and RCIA is liturgy – should be immersed in the Rites, the Missal and its instructions, the Sacramentary and the Lectionary.

 

[TeamRCIA]

Hi all. There is no anointing in the Rite of Acceptance. The first use of the Oil of Catechumens would be in the celebration of one of the minor rites after the Rite of Acceptance.