The signing of the Book of the Elect takes place at the Rite of Sending just before or at the beginning of Lent OR at the Rite of Election in the presence of the Bishop at the beginning of Lent.
Other than just caually joking, and saying, “Wow, I went from Inquirer to Elect without ever entering the Catechumenate, that’s hilarious,” don’t make a big deal out of it.
So am I not a Cathecumen than?Other than just caually joking, and saying, “Wow, I went from Inquirer to Elect without ever entering the Catechumenate, that’s hilarious,” don’t make a big deal out of it.
As Brother Rich has pointed out, it’s obvious that the people in charge (including the priest) are not well educated about the steps and procedures of RCIA. It’s up to someone from the Diocese to actually correct them, though - you have no authority in that.
But in the future if someone asks you to help with RCIA, make sure you take a training class from the Diocese on the subject of RCIA before you say “yes,” for the sake of future RCIA participants.
If you were previously baptized with a valid baptismal form and matter you are NOT a Catechumen.So am I not a Cathecumen than?
Technically, no, since they gave you the Rite of Sending instead of the Rite of Acceptance.So am I not a Cathecumen than?
Unfortunately “It is the thought that counts” does not work with the Rites of the Chruch. The Rite of Acceptance is not an option for entry into the Catechumenate. The Rite of Welcome for those already Baptized is optional. The Rite of Acceptance is not just a nice thing to do.Technically, no, since they gave you the Rite of Sending instead of the Rite of Acceptance.
But don’t worry about it. You are doing what Catechumens do, and in actuality (unless you have been baptized before) you are, in fact, a Catechumen, in spite of the error. God understands what they had intended to do, and it is their intention that matters; not what they actually did.
(But it would have been a lot nicer if they could have gotten it right.)
Then this needs to be fixed. What procedure needs to be followed?
What I used to tell my candidates and catechumens was, Listen very carefully to the question, and answer it truthfully. I’m not a real fan of memorized answers, or of people not understanding what they’re saying, or what they’re doing. But I also gave them heads-up about what the questions were going to be, so that they could think them through ahead of time. We never had any problems with people answering inappropriately.
You won’t get in trouble for saying this differently using your own words. The Key to remember is because you are already Baptized you are already united to the church in a way and do in fact seek to be more fully united. You do since you are already a Christian seek an increase of faith and deeper understanding. Taking an unBaptized person through the Rite of Welcome or a Baptized person through the Rite of Acceptance is not legalism. It would be like President-elect reciting his fraternity pledge instead of the Oath of Office or reading his high school graduation speech instead of his inaugural address. They would not make any sense or accomplish the intended purpose.
You are correct. This is also why the RCIA requires a serious investigation into the persons Baptismal situation during the Inquiry period which should be 6 to 12 weeks. For you conditional Baptism would have been a consideration, if the Certificate is found a few months later it does not change anything.
I disagree completely it is legalism. Legalism is all it is. The key here is the idea that man must get it right for god to understand. If god understands any way then the error is insignificant.
I wasn’t validly baptized before (was baptized in the mormon church), so since Father did the wrong rite, am I technically not a Cathecumen? And does that mean my Baptism may not be valid either on Easter Vigil??
Father can recommend you be accepted in to the church at anytime including today, tomorrow, etc… Technically the Bishop accepts us, however that has long been a rubber stamp. At the Rites of Sending and Election you will see candidates/catechumens from many parishes who are personally meeting the Bishop and the Bishop will sign them in as church members. At Easter they become members in full standing by receiving the sacraments all adults should have. At this Rite of Welcoming/Acceptance you were acknowledged within your parish as candidates to become parish members. Contrary to this thread parish vary greatly from 0 candidates to 200 ( I saw 186 candidates from a single Parish). It should be no surprise that the 186 are handled differently than a group of 2.
I’ll have to leave the first question to Br Rich, but this should in no way jeopardizes the validity of your upcoming baptism, it would only perhaps affect the licitity (again, I’ll have to leave that one to Br).
I guess what might not be understood here is that the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an official Liturgical document, and therefore is required to be followed and is never allowed to be modified (except as provided for within). If an RCIA director makes a mistake or intentionally does not follow the Rite and it is discovered the error should be corrected if possible and steps should be taken so it does not happen again.
No, in no way would this affect the validity of your Baptism at the Easter Vigil if no one does anything to correct it, at the Easter Vigil you would be Baptized, Confirmed, receive Holy Communion and become a member of the Catholic Church.
So if you are in the inquiry stage you cannot recieve a catholic funeral or the baptism of desire if sudden death comes upon that person?
If you are already at the point where you are ready to begin the process of becoming a Catholic, then there is little reason to delay being enrolled in the Order of Catechumens, since it seems that your Inquiry phase has been completed.