Rite of Acceptance

[HolleyWilliams]

I have my Rite of Acceptance this Sunday - I am a little nervous! There are 7 of us in my group though, so there is strength in numbers!

We have been told that the priest will ask us ‘What do you ask of the Church?’ and that we should formulate our own replies.

I haven’t a clue what to say and hoped to hear some examples of what others have answered…

many thanks

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Just say “salvation and guidance” you will be fine

 

[Jsmith17]

Our priest decided to “suprise us” with his questions. None of us have any idea what hes going to ask, only that we each get a question and must formulate an answer on the spot in front of the entire congregation.

 

[SD_Catholic]

I have my Rite of Acceptance this Sunday - I am a little nervous! There are 7 of us in my group though, so there is strength in numbers!

We have been told that the priest will ask us ‘What do you ask of the Church?’ and that we should formulate our own replies.

I haven’t a clue what to say and hoped to hear some examples of what others have answered…

many thanks

Well… What do you?

SD

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have my Rite of Acceptance this Sunday - I am a little nervous! There are 7 of us in my group though, so there is strength in numbers!

We have been told that the priest will ask us ‘What do you ask of the Church?’ and that we should formulate our own replies.

I haven’t a clue what to say and hoped to hear some examples of what others have answered…

many thanks

The Rite of Acceptance is for those who are not Baptized and the Rite specifies these words.

Celebrant: What do you ask of God’s Church?

Faith.

Celebrant: What does faith offer you?

Eternal Life.

The Rite however does allow the celebrant to use other words and the person to respond in their own words.

So if you are nervous, just remember: Faith and Eternal Life.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Okay from Pg 21-26 Paraphrased unless “ quote marks” used

The candidates sponsors are to come in as a group. The celebrant (Bishop, Priest, Deacon) will be asking:

Part 1
Either ask “ What is your Name?”
Or call out names and candidates say “Present”

Part 2
Ask a question of or similar to
“ What do you ask of the Church of Christ?” answers “ The grace of Christ”,”Entrance into the Church”, “Eternal life”
“What do you desire?” “For what reason have you come?” answers “ The grace of Christ”,”Entrance into the Church”, “Eternal life”
“What do you ask of God’s Church?” (most common) answer “faith”

Part 3
“What does faith offer you?” answer “eternal life”

Part 4
Paragraph ….Are you prepared to begin this journey today under the guidance of Christ?” answer “I am”
or
Paragraph ….Are you ready with the help of God, to live this life?” answer “I am”

Part 5
Celebrant – to congregation ….”ready to help these candidates find and follow Christ?” answer “we are?”

Part 6
Signing.

Part 7
Concluding prayer and dismissal

 

[HolleyWilliams]

Well… What do you?

SD

Yes I thought someone would say that!

I could answer that over a coffee if you’ve got an hour or so. The problem is getting it all in a word, or two.

Our RCIA leader did say that most people say ‘faith’ but that we were free to come up with our own answer if desired!

Thank you Texas Roofer your info is very helpful.

 

[SD_Catholic]

Yes I thought someone would say that!

I could answer that over a coffee if you’ve got an hour or so. The problem is getting it all in a word, or two.

Our RCIA leader did say that most people say ‘faith’ but that we were free to come up with our own answer if desired!

Thank you Texas Roofer your info is very helpful.

Congrats on your special day!!!.. I would love to hear over coffee, perhaps someday we can (heaven’s just around the corner )

SD

 

[nlh1302]

When I went through the Rite of Acceptance a couple of years ago, the wording was the least of my worries. I actually got hit by a car while crossing the street on the way to the bus stop to go to church (I guess Satan didn’t want me to become a Catholic, I just wish he hadn’t been so direct). Fortunately, I just had a badly skinned knee from the pavement and some bad bruises; somehow I managed to get to church and get through Mass.

The funny thing about all this was that during the class before the Rite of Acceptance, Father mentioned that once we went through the Rite of Acceptance we would be able to have a Catholic funeral. When I told him after Mass what had happened and that his comments weren’t as crass as he thought, he was speechless for one of the few times in his life.

All that aside, I found it a special moment.

 

[HolleyWilliams]

When I went through the Rite of Acceptance a couple of years ago, the wording was the least of my worries. I actually got hit by a car while crossing the street on the way to the bus stop to go to church (I guess Satan didn’t want me to become a Catholic, I just wish he hadn’t been so direct). Fortunately, I just had a badly skinned knee from the pavement and some bad bruises; somehow I managed to get to church and get through Mass.

The funny thing about all this was that during the class before the Rite of Acceptance, Father mentioned that once we went through the Rite of Acceptance we would be able to have a Catholic funeral. When I told him after Mass what had happened and that his comments weren’t as crass as he thought, he was speechless for one of the few times in his life.

All that aside, I found it a special moment.

I’m glad you weren’t too badly hurt! I will take extra care crossing the road on Sunday morning!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m glad you weren’t too badly hurt! I will take extra care crossing the road on Sunday morning!

Just a little additional explanation. After a person goes through the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens they have a different standing in the Church. As noted they have the right to a Catholic funeral. If they were to suddenly die without warning, they would have been considered to have received Baptism of Desire. Because part of the Rite requires that they state in the presence of the faithful their desire for Baptism.

Remember that in the early Church dying as a Catechumen was a real possibility!

You are no longer in the Inquiry stage, but are now a Catechumen, preparing for the reception of the Sacraments Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. And YES,satan will do everything he can think of to keep you from completing the process.

 

[HolleyWilliams]

Thank you.

Although only one member of our group hasn’t been baptised already.

I am baptised protestant Church of England.

We are all doing the same rite though.

 

[Joannm]

Thank you.

Although only one member of our group hasn’t been baptised already.

I am baptised protestant Church of England.

We are all doing the same rite though.

A baptized person does not go through the Rite of Acceptance. They can go through the Rite of Welcome but it is optional. Why do some parishes insist on lumping everyone together and do the rites with people who do not need them?

 

[HolleyWilliams]

We were told it was a way of making us known to the parish.

I’m happy to do it so I guess thats OK.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thank you.

Although only one member of our group hasn’t been baptised already.

I am baptised protestant Church of England.

We are all doing the same rite though.

Ok, you said that you were preparing for the Rite of Acceptance this Sunday? The Rite of Acceptance is ONLY for those who are not Baptized. That was my assumption based on the title of the thread.

 

[jmcrae]

We were told it was a way of making us known to the parish.

This is an abuse of the Church’s rites. (Not on your part, but on the part of whoever came up with the idea of giving the Rite of Acceptance to people who are already baptized.)

If they want to “make you known” the proper procedure is to hold a party for you in the Parish Hall.

Sorry to be so blunt.

I’m happy to do it so I guess thats OK.

Not much you can do about it, anyway.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We were told it was a way of making us known to the parish.

I’m happy to do it so I guess thats OK.

No, it’s not OK. The “Rites” of the Church are not just nice things, they have a canonical purpose. A Baptized person cannot go through the Rite of Acceptance. It is like saying we will just re-Baptize you because it adds to the liturgy, and makes the parish feel good! NO! I’m sorry but the people running your RCIA have no idea what they are doing!

 

[George_C]

Ours is in a couple of weeks and I wish I hadn’t opened this thread.

Is a public Rite of Acceptance absolutely necessary? I’m not comfortable in front of people. My parish is 300-400 people.

And don’t give me that “it’s just nerves” nonsense. I tell you: I absolutely do not like being in the spotlight.

 

[Jsmith17]

No, it’s not OK. The “Rites” of the Church are not just nice things, they have a canonical purpose. A Baptized person cannot go through the Rite of Acceptance. It is like saying we will just re-Baptize you because it adds to the liturgy, and makes the parish feel good! NO! I’m sorry but the people running your RCIA have no idea what they are doing!

My parish is just lumping the two together and calling it “The Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming” with no distincion being made between Candidates and Catechumens.

 

[reff]

I have my Rite of Acceptance this Sunday - I am a little nervous! There are 7 of us in my group though, so there is strength in numbers!

We have been told that the priest will ask us ‘What do you ask of the Church?’ and that we should formulate our own replies.

I haven’t a clue what to say and hoped to hear some examples of what others have answered…

many thanks

Hey there! My Rite of Acceptance is this Sunday too, and I’m very nervous! Father never told us anything about answering questions, so i’m glad I came across this thread. Well God bless you and I wish you the best of luck. Let me know how your’s went!!