RCIA without the rites?

[GwenL]

How much of the RCIA class structure and schedule of rites, as outlined by the USCCB, is optional? I know that every parish does things differently, and that’s fine. I’m wondering if some (or any) of the rites are required, or are optional.

I’m in RCIA and am impressed and pleased with the catechesis. We meet weekly, on a weeknight, baptized and non-baptized together. We’re going through the Catechism in great detail, section by section. We go over the coming Sunday’s readings in detail. Our priest runs the class and does a great job.

However, we are scheduled (as far as I can find out) for only one of the rites: the Rite of Election with our bishop on the first Sunday of Lent. We are not scheduled and there is no plan for a Rite of Acceptance for Catechumens (of which I’d be one), a Rite of Sending, or any of the scrutinies. I’ve asked a few people who went through RCIA last year and they confirmed my impression–they met with the bishop and that’s the only thing they did outside of RCIA classes. Aside from Easter Vigil, of course

Don’t get me wrong: I’d rather have the high quality catechesis we’re getting than all the rites with no or poor teaching! I’m just wondering if what we are doing is, well, legit?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[jmcrae]

No, it’s not “legit” - however, the validity of your Initiation Sacraments will not be affected by the fact that you missed the Rite of Acceptance. A lot of parishes fluff over the requirements because they don’t think the Inquirers will notice, or else because they think it’s too much bother for the parish.

Obviously, you don’t want to be labelled a “know-it-all” or a “trouble-maker” at this stage of the game, so maybe (instead of telling him that it’s illicit to skip the steps) just mention to the priest, “Hey, I was disappointed that we aren’t doing the Rite of Acceptance - I had kind of been looking forward to that.”

He probably won’t do anything about it this year, but he might keep it in mind for next year.

(If he says, “What’s that?” you can just say, “Oh, I was doing some reading about the stages and rituals of the RCIA process, and it looked like a really cool thing, for unbaptized Inquirers to be officially enrolled in the Order of Catechumens.”)

 

[kage_ar]

Just because they are not on the schedule does not mean they will not happen We do not put the scrutanies on the schedule, we just announce them the week before.

 

[jmcrae]

Just because they are not on the schedule does not mean they will not happen We do not put the scrutanies on the schedule, we just announce them the week before.

The Rite of Acceptance is supposed to take place on the first Sunday of Advent, unless you are doing year-round RCIA - in which case, one of your four scheduled Rites of Acceptance during the year should take place on the first Sunday of Advent.

 

[GwenL]

I’m fairly sure that none of the rites will happen, with the exception of the rite of election, for two reasons:

1. I asked our priest in a roundabout way. I’m trying to schedule a spring break (mid-March) week-long ski trip, needed to make airplane reservations and put money down, so wanted to confirm that there were no conflicts. He told me that the only thing on the schedule, aside from Easter Vigil, was the rite of election with the bishop on the first Sunday of Lent.
2. Several RCIA participants from last year remember no other events than the rite of election.

Glad to hear I won’t be “invalid.” Maybe the best way to handle it with our priest is to volunteer to help him with RCIA next year and try to make it happen then.

 

[Student09]

We haven’t had the Rite of Acceptance either … at the beginning of R.C.I.A. the priest said that we would be going to the Cathedral later on to meet with the bishop, and I assumed he was talking about the Rite of Acceptance, but maybe he was referring to the Rite of Election?

I’ve been waiting for it to happen, looking forward to it … oh well.

Other than that, though, it’s a very good class.

 

[fdesales]

The Rite of Acceptance is supposed to take place on the first Sunday of Advent, unless you are doing year-round RCIA - in which case, one of your four scheduled Rites of Acceptance during the year should take place on the first Sunday of Advent.

Actually, it is preferred that it is NOT on the first Sunday of Advent, because there already is a MAJOR liturgical theme on that day - the beginning of the Church year and Advent, the lighting of the wreath, etc… It is a poor idea to mix two liturgical ideas and rituals, which is why it SHOULD be done before Advent. There is already a center of focus on Advent. The last few weeks before Advent have themes of the end of the world and the need to repent, perfect backdrops for adults wanting to enter into the Church!

Just start RCIA a few weeks earlier, if you are intent on not cutting back on the Precatechumenate material. We did our Rite of Acceptance on the first Sunday of Advent, as well, until I read and reflected on the above idea. The Mass is too awkard otherwise. Focus just on the candidates/catechumens…

The Rite itself does not demand any particular day to be the Rite of Acceptance, although it is suggested that it is done on a Sunday Mass (even that is not required).

Regards

 

[fdesales]

I’m fairly sure that none of the rites will happen, with the exception of the rite of election, for two reasons:

1. I asked our priest in a roundabout way. I’m trying to schedule a spring break (mid-March) week-long ski trip, needed to make airplane reservations and put money down, so wanted to confirm that there were no conflicts. He told me that the only thing on the schedule, aside from Easter Vigil, was the rite of election with the bishop on the first Sunday of Lent.
2. Several RCIA participants from last year remember no other events than the rite of election.

Glad to hear I won’t be “invalid.” Maybe the best way to handle it with our priest is to volunteer to help him with RCIA next year and try to make it happen then.

Before the introduction (re-introduction, more properly) of the RCIA after Vatican 2, there were no “rites”, thus, it is not a canonical requirement that there are any rites before fully entering into communion with the Catholic Church. Even with RCIA, there is an optional process (we judge whether someone can take it or not) where a person is brought into the Church with little fanfare and ritual, more or less bypassing the RCIA process and rituals. However, when utilized, the RCIA is properly a period of SACRAMENTAL FORMATION. Part of that is liturgical instruction. The books on this subject state that the Liturgy is indeed the best teacher of the faith and that people are not to be denied this. Liturgical ritual is THE means by which Catholics enter into communion with Jesus Christ. As such, the rites SHOULD NOT be bypassed or ignored for those going through the process (keeping in mind that RCIA is ESPECIALLY geared towards the catechumens, the unbaptized)

IF you do not participate in the Rite of Welcome and Acceptance, that is indeed too bad. Perhaps this is the priest’s first or second year doing RCIA. From experience, when constructing an RCIA program from scratch, you first focus on the weekly sessions, then you look at the dismissals, and the rites themselves are generally next in “importance” in the mind of the new RCIA coordinator. If he has been teaching RCIA for quite some time and he still chooses not to do the Rites, he is misinformed on the importance of these rituals and liturgical practices. I am not sure how you could “instruct him” so that things would improve this year, but perhaps next year, he might plan something, like a previous poster mentioned. Telling the priest you were disappointed (tell him several times!) and that you understood that you would participate in such rites should give him impetus to consider it next year.

Regards

 

[fdesales]

We haven’t had the Rite of Acceptance either … at the beginning of R.C.I.A. the priest said that we would be going to the Cathedral later on to meet with the bishop, and I assumed he was talking about the Rite of Acceptance, but maybe he was referring to the Rite of Election?

I’ve been waiting for it to happen, looking forward to it … oh well.

Other than that, though, it’s a very good class.

You are correct, he is refering to the Rite of Election…

As I said before, it is too bad that some people continue to stress so much importance on information, and thus, focus on the weekly meetings so much, while liturgical rituals are given such little importance, when the RCIA ITSELF states that it is a period of sacramental formation, meaning, being taught the faith through liturgical practices and rituals (sacramental formation means learning through visible signs, not by book reading and 90 minute lectures…)

It would be better if a priest was NOT the RCIA cooridinator, in my opinion, because they have so much to do already and do not direct as much attention to learning what the RCIA is REALLY supposed to do. From my experience, they stick to teaching book knowledge (as it was taught long time ago via memorizing the Baltimore Catechism answers), rather than teaching that being Catholic is not about “knowing things” but about experiencing Jesus Christ through the sacraments and the liturgy, and this cannot be taught by ONLY classroom lectures… To free themselves from the “old ways” requires they become more knowledgeable about the RCIA’s intent, but they will generally not because they already have so much on their plate. Thus, I think it is better if someone who concentrates solely on RCIA is better suited to lead it more properly.

I certainly am not saying priests shouldn’t teach the RCIA, but from my experience, I have found that they tend to focus on the classroom as the means of teaching the faith. This comes from their own experiences (seminary and how things were done before). While the classroom is important, it is only a part of the formula. The candidate can learn much about the faith from sponsors and through liturgical experiences, as well.

Regards

 

[fdesales]

Maybe the best way to handle it with our priest is to volunteer to help him with RCIA next year and try to make it happen then.

He is probably “dying” to have someone help take it over so he can move to other ministries… Even if he enjoys doing the lectures, he doesn’t have the time or desire to organize the rituals and so forth…

I am willing to bet that he would GLADLY let you do this next year, especially when you read up about the importance of these rituals in the RCIA process and you explain this to him, offering your services in 2010!!!

Regards

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

How much of the RCIA class structure and schedule of rites, as outlined by the USCCB, is optional? I know that every parish does things differently, and that’s fine. I’m wondering if some (or any) of the rites are required, or are optional.

I’m in RCIA and am impressed and pleased with the catechesis. We meet weekly, on a weeknight, baptized and non-baptized together. We’re going through the Catechism in great detail, section by section. We go over the coming Sunday’s readings in detail. Our priest runs the class and does a great job.

However, we are scheduled (as far as I can find out) for only one of the rites: the Rite of Election with our bishop on the first Sunday of Lent. We are not scheduled and there is no plan for a Rite of Acceptance for Catechumens (of which I’d be one), a Rite of Sending, or any of the scrutinies. I’ve asked a few people who went through RCIA last year and they confirmed my impression–they met with the bishop and that’s the only thing they did outside of RCIA classes. Aside from Easter Vigil, of course

Don’t get me wrong: I’d rather have the high quality catechesis we’re getting than all the rites with no or poor teaching! I’m just wondering if what we are doing is, well, legit?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

The Rite of Acceptance is required for thos not Baptized.
The Rite of Welcome should be celebrated for those already Baptized seeking full union.

The Rite of Election is required for those to be Baptized.
The Rite of Continuing Conversion is optional.

The Scrutinies are required for proper preparation of the Elect.
The Initiation Rites are required for those being Baptized.
The Rite of Reception is required for those being received into full union.

Optional Rites:

Giving of a new name
Presentation of the cross
Minor exorcisms
Blessings of the Catechumens
Anointing of the Catechumens
The Rite of Presentation of the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and Ephphetha
The Rite of Sending of Catechumens for Election

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We haven’t had the Rite of Acceptance either … at the beginning of R.C.I.A. the priest said that we would be going to the Cathedral later on to meet with the bishop, and I assumed he was talking about the Rite of Acceptance, but maybe he was referring to the Rite of Election?

I’ve been waiting for it to happen, looking forward to it … oh well.

Other than that, though, it’s a very good class.

Without the Rite of Acceptance you are technically not even Catechumens!

 

[Student09]

It would be better if a priest was NOT the RCIA cooridinator, in my opinion, because they have so much to do already and do not direct as much attention to learning what the RCIA is REALLY supposed to do. From my experience, they stick to teaching book knowledge (as it was taught long time ago via memorizing the Baltimore Catechism answers), rather than teaching that being Catholic is not about “knowing things” but about experiencing Jesus Christ through the sacraments and the liturgy, and this cannot be taught by ONLY classroom lectures… To free themselves from the “old ways” requires they become more knowledgeable about the RCIA’s intent, but they will generally not because they already have so much on their plate. Thus, I think it is better if someone who concentrates solely on RCIA is better suited to lead it more properly.

I certainly am not saying priests shouldn’t teach the RCIA, but from my experience, I have found that they tend to focus on the classroom as the means of teaching the faith. This comes from their own experiences (seminary and how things were done before). While the classroom is important, it is only a part of the formula. The candidate can learn much about the faith from sponsors and through liturgical experiences, as well.

Regards

That’s not my experience at all - the priest does teach out of the catechism, and he also talks about living the Catholic faith and has brought us into the church to show us where everything is, has us attend Mass, etc.

 

[Student09]

Without the Rite of Acceptance you are technically not even Catechumens!

What point are you trying to make?

 

[GwenL]

Well, now I’m confused. Some posters say that the rites are highly desired but not required; Br Rich says they are required. Does “required” mean that I won’t be a Catholic without the rites? Does “required” mean that my upcoming baptism and reception into the Church will be invalid?

 

[jmcrae]

Well, now I’m confused. Some posters say that the rites are highly desired but not required; Br Rich says they are required. Does “required” mean that I won’t be a Catholic without the rites? Does “required” mean that my upcoming baptism and reception into the Church will be invalid?

Your Sacraments of Initiation will be valid, but you will never be a Catechumen (which means that you will have none of the “civil rights” of a Catechumen, such as being buried from the Church in the case of your untimely death, if you die before receiving Baptism) - you will simply go straight from the status of Inquirer to Elect at the Rite of Election, all in one jump.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What point are you trying to make?

It is participating in the Liturgical Rite of Accrptance into the Order of Catechumens, that changes your canonical status within the Church from that of an Inquirer to a Catechumen, and grants you certain rights within the Church. IT’S NOT OPTIONAL!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Well, now I’m confused. Some posters say that the rites are highly desired but not required; Br Rich says they are required. Does “required” mean that I won’t be a Catholic without the rites? Does “required” mean that my upcoming baptism and reception into the Church will be invalid?

Baptism properly administrated is never invalid.

However the Church has Rites for a reason and they are expected to be followed. As I mentioned, certain Rites do have more than a simple symbolic function, they document certain steps.

 

[GwenL]

Even more confusing.

Does “required” mean “mandatory?”

Pretty obviously, I’m not in control of what rites our parish is going to conduct. Rites may be “expected to be followed,” but that’s something I have no control over or even (name removed by moderator)ut into. It’s a little late to try to find a parish that does conduct the “required” rites.

Again, I’ll ask, does “required” mean that I won’t be a Catholic without these rites? By “not optional” do you mean that since I won’t be doing this rite that I won’t be validly recieved into the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil?

 

[jmcrae]

Even more confusing.

Does “required” mean “mandatory?”

Pretty obviously, I’m not in control of what rites our parish is going to conduct. Rites may be “expected to be followed,” but that’s something I have no control over or even (name removed by moderator)ut into. It’s a little late to try to find a parish that does conduct the “required” rites.

Okay. Deep breath. God will supply for you where the individual priest is lacking. God knows your heart and your intentions. This does not excuse the priest, but you are not personally in any danger. (Although I would, if I were your sponsor, mention to the priest that you are experiencing anxiety about this, since he probably thinks that you haven’t noticed that you aren’t a member of the Order of Catechumens.)

Again, I’ll ask, does “required” mean that I won’t be a Catholic without these rites? By “not optional” do you mean that since I won’t be doing this rite that I won’t be validly recieved into the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil?

You will be validly received at the Easter Vigil. You will “jump” from Inquirer to Elect without ever entering the Order of Catechumens, but that won’t affect the validity of your Baptism.