Rite of Acceptance

[George_C]

Is “parading” your word, or hers?

Actually, this RCIA instructor is male. The word is mine.

What, exactly, did she say was going to happen?

We’d be taken before the congregation. The schedule says tomorrow will be: “overview of the Rite of Acceptance, questions and discussions.” The following week, will be, again according to the schedule: “Call to Holiness (19) Rite of Acceptance.”

He also basically said it was too bad if we had an issue with being in front of a crowd. I forget his exact words, but the intent was crystal clear. I really don’t think his comments were very professional.

The Rite of Acceptance occurs in public, but there are no parades, and there is no spotlighting. The purpose of the Rite is to provide you with the opportunity to give witness in public of your intention to become a Catholic.

Okay… I hope it’s not an interrogation.

The question will be “What do you ask of God’s Church?” The standard response, which seems to summarize the above, is “Faith.”

“Faith, peace, and salvation.”

That’s my answer.

Since (as I pointed out above) it’s not actually supposed to be an opportunity for grandstanding, they will be expecting the answers to be relatively short.

See the above answer. I’ll be too nervous to grandstand.

(Of course, if it turns out that they are, after all, having a parade, then you could probably get up to the podium and say all of what you have here, too.)

…

 

[jmcrae]

Actually, this RCIA instructor is male. The word is mine.

We’d be taken before the congregation. The schedule says tomorrow will be: “overview of the Rite of Acceptance, questions and discussions.” The following week, will be, again according to the schedule: “Call to Holiness (19) Rite of Acceptance.”

It sounds as though he is using the correct terminology, and is teaching you correctly about what is going on.

He also basically said it was too bad if we had an issue with being in front of a crowd. I forget his exact words, but the intent was crystal clear. I really don’t think his comments were very professional.

He has probably had previous experience with people playing sick, etc. But this is a required Rite of the Church. You can’t go forward from here if you don’t do it. Remember the butterfly in the chrysalis - she has to do some things that are uncomfortable for her, so that her wings will be strong enough for her to be able to fly. There is no way around it. Same with conversion - some things are necessary, to build up your spiritual strength.

Okay… I hope it’s not an interrogation.

Not at all. Everyone is there to support you.

“Faith, peace, and salvation.”

That’s my answer.

 

[truthsilence]

In the Parish where I went through RCIA, everyone was instructed to reply with the same answer to the question “What do you ask of the Church”? The answer: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist. We all responded in unison.

It was helpful doing it that way, for those of us who are uncomfortable being “in the spotlight”. But the support of the Parish is truly a wonderful thing. And hopefully you all will experience nothing but the peace of Christ at your Rite of Acceptance!

Blessings to you,
Tami

 

[George_C]

Thanks everyone.

 

[HolleyWilliams]

Hello again

Well it wasn’t actually nerve-wracking at all.

We were given a sheet of paper with all the necessary info on and it clearly stated candidates and catechumen in all cases.

Everybody answered ‘faith’!

We were presented with a Bible and signed with the cross.

 

[truthsilence]

I think the questions and responses I posted are for Easter Vigil when you are received into the Church. Rushing things a little. oops!

I am excited for you! Glad to hear Rite of Acceptance went well for you.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello again

Well it wasn’t actually nerve-wracking at all.

We were given a sheet of paper with all the necessary info on and it clearly stated candidates and catechumen in all cases.

Everybody answered ‘faith’!

We were presented with a Bible and signed with the cross.

Hopefully he addressed the Catechumens separately and then addressed the Candidates for full communion.

 

[HolleyWilliams]

Hopefully he addressed the Catechumens separately and then addressed the Candidates for full communion.

I’m not certain what you mean by that, but we were all addressed individually.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m not certain what you mean by that, but we were all addressed individually.

The Combined Rite requires that the priest keep a clear distinction between those who are already Baptized and the Catechumens who are seeking Baptism. So he should address one group then address the other when speaking the peayers. Each group can also have individual persons within them addressed.

 

[ErrorCMDR]

My Priest screwed up.
we were given a paper with what to say… I memorized mine, then at mass he changed it and made us all look like idiots.

the paper said that when he asks the Baptized people what they want from the Church. we where to answer this way.

A fuller sharing in the life of the Church.

then.

I am

well he took out the fuller sharing so we where just standing there like What just happened?

I was angry

 

[reff]

Hello again

Well it wasn’t actually nerve-wracking at all.

We were given a sheet of paper with all the necessary info on and it clearly stated candidates and catechumen in all cases.

Everybody answered ‘faith’!

We were presented with a Bible and signed with the cross.

Glad to here your’s went well. Ours was great, wasn’t nerve racking at all! I was ready to answer with “faith” but Father only asked us if we’re ready to accept the faith, or something to that affect, and we just answered in unison “we do.” Then we all wrote our names in the “Book of the Elect”

It was a very quick experience, and yet it was amazing afterward to know that we’re now Cathucmens and have our foot in the door of Mother Church:thumbsup:

 

[Texas_Roofer]

My Priest screwed up.
we were given a paper with what to say… I memorized mine, then at mass he changed it and made us all look like idiots.

the paper said that when he asks the Baptized people what they want from the Church. we where to answer this way.

A fuller sharing in the life of the Church.

then.

I am

well he took out the fuller sharing so we where just standing there like What just happened?

I was angry

Did the Priest give you the paper? There is quite abet of leeway in the procedure. It maybe the catechist gave you a piece of paper and did not check with the Priest.

 

[HolleyWilliams]

Glad to here your’s went well. Ours was great, wasn’t nerve racking at all! I was ready to answer with “faith” but Father only asked us if we’re ready to accept the faith, or something to that affect, and we just answered in unison “we do.” Then we all wrote our names in the “Book of the Elect”

It was a very quick experience, and yet it was amazing afterward to know that we’re now Cathucmens and have our foot in the door of Mother Church:thumbsup:

Fantastic! I’m so glad your day went well too.

The Combined Rite requires that the priest keep a clear distinction between those who are already Baptized and the Catechumens who are seeking Baptism. So he should address one group then address the other when speaking the peayers. Each group can also have individual persons within them addressed.

I’m not certain to be honest, its all a bit of a blur now, all seems to have been done to order though!

 

[FrCorey]

My Priest screwed up.
we were given a paper with what to say… I memorized mine, then at mass he changed it and made us all look like idiots.

the paper said that when he asks the Baptized people what they want from the Church. we where to answer this way.

A fuller sharing in the life of the Church.

then.

I am

well he took out the fuller sharing so we where just standing there like What just happened?

I was angry

That is bad. you are suppost to learn it and recite it from your heart. cheat sheets are not good.
I can see why we have some of the wierd stuff in mass now. people learn the how without the why.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

That is bad. you are suppost to learn it and recite it from your heart. cheat sheets are not good.
I can see why we have some of the wierd stuff in mass now. people learn the how without the why.

The problem with many RCIA processes is that those in charge do not know the how, let alone the why.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Glad to here your’s went well. Ours was great, wasn’t nerve racking at all! I was ready to answer with “faith” but Father only asked us if we’re ready to accept the faith, or something to that affect, and we just answered in unison “we do.” Then we all wrote our names in the “Book of the Elect”

It was a very quick experience, and yet it was amazing afterward to know that we’re now Cathucmens and have our foot in the door of Mother Church:thumbsup:

You all had the **Rite of Sending today ??? **That is when the unBaptized Catechumens write their names in the Book of the Elect. for the Bishop to sign at the **Rite of Election **which usually takes place during Lent! ???

 

[jmcrae]

You all had the **Rite of Sending today ??? **That is when the unBaptized Catechumens write their names in the Book of the Elect. for the Bishop to sign at the **Rite of Election **which usually takes place during Lent! ???

That seemed really strange to me, too.

 

[reff]

You all had the **Rite of Sending today ??? **That is when the unBaptized Catechumens write their names in the Book of the Elect. for the Bishop to sign at the **Rite of Election **which usually takes place during Lent! ???

Uh oh. Should I bring this to the attention of someone?

 

[Joannm]

I am on our diocesan RCIA committee and awhile back I was doing a workshop for RCIA coordinators, some of whom have said they have been doing it for years. When I referred to a section of the Rites book a few of them asked what it was. AMAZING. They have been coordinating RCIA in their parish for years and never saw the Rites book. Thank goodness we had copies available and insisted that they purchase them.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Uh oh. Should I bring this to the attention of someone?

You might casually mention that adding names to the book is premature at this stage, that will be enough.

I am on our diocesan RCIA committee and awhile back I was doing a workshop for RCIA coordinators, some of whom have said they have been doing it for years. When I referred to a section of the Rites book a few of them asked what it was. AMAZING. They have been coordinating RCIA in their parish for years and never saw the Rites book. Thank goodness we had copies available and insisted that they purchase them.

Many focus on education as best they can, often the Priest has to annually beg for catechist and sponsors. It is difficult to both beg and complain at the same time if you are going to get volunteers. I would much rather hear the education is pretty good and the candidates are marched through procedures by the Priest than the reverse.

Ultimately the candidates study or they don’t; volunteer catechist should not be expected to close the doors or draw envy from a Pharisee.