Rite of Election and nervous

[mkipp]

I am in RCIA and have been researching the Rite of Election. It seems overwhelming at this time. Just thinking of being in the presence of the Bishop makes me nervous. Has anyone been through this? If so what does the baptized candidate do?

 

[kage_ar]

Been there myself, with my DH and with other RCIA groups

The service is a prayer service, songs and readings. Then, each Canidate or Catechumen is called up by name, you walk up and shake the Bishop’s hand. Then you sit back down, some more of the service…

After the service, there is usually a reception with cake and yummies

 

[Joannm]

In our diocese not every catechumen gets to shake the bishops hand since there are usually over 300 of them They go up to the altar with their sponsor and sign the Book of the Elect then stand in the sanctuary and get a blessing from the bishop. Our bishop does insist that children be brought up to him and he talks to each one of them.

 

[dhgray]

I am in RCIA and have been researching the Rite of Election. It seems overwhelming at this time. Just thinking of being in the presence of the Bishop makes me nervous. Has anyone been through this? If so what does the baptized candidate do?

been there … done that … got the t-shirt…RELAX and enjoy the expierence…god bless you

 

[puzzleannie]

I am in RCIA and have been researching the Rite of Election. It seems overwhelming at this time. Just thinking of being in the presence of the Bishop makes me nervous. Has anyone been through this? If so what does the baptized candidate do?

you will be prepared beforehand
baptized candidates are not called for election, since they already enjoy the dignity of the baptized
they may at the same time be called to continuing conversion, or the rite for them may be at another time.

the catechumens gather outside the door of the church or cathedral and knock, the bishop calls them to enter, he greets them individually, or as a group of there are many, they enter the church. their sponsors and catechists attest to their readiness for initiation and the rites of Lent. They are called forward to inscribe their names in the book of the elect (or if this has already been done in the parish during the Rite of Sending for Election, the book is submitted by the catechist to the bishop for his signature). This is done during Liturgy of the Word, or sometimes during the Liturgy of the Hours (not usually during Mass), so the rest of the service continues. If it is during Mass the catechumens are dismissed at the usual time.

 

[IrnBru]

We have our Rite of Election on the 1st of March at St Andrews Cathedral in Glasgow - so excited.

Since there is 8 of us (and thats a lot for such a small church - 7 from one church and me from the other) its an akward bunch.

3 are baptised already - 4 are catholics but not recieved sacraments and one other is to be baptised.

I do have a query - why do you say the catchucumen are dismissed at a certain time during mass - it has never been done with me or any others.

Anyhoo - sooooo excited!

Ps - any tips are welcome to what to wear/do/be wary of!

 

[anjoh66]

We have our Rite of Election on the 1st of March at St Andrews Cathedral in Glasgow - so excited.

Since there is 8 of us (and thats a lot for such a small church - 7 from one church and me from the other) its an akward bunch.

3 are baptised already - 4 are catholics but not recieved sacraments and one other is to be baptised.

I do have a query - why do you say the catchucumen are dismissed at a certain time during mass - it has never been done with me or any others.

Anyhoo - sooooo excited!

Ps - any tips are welcome to what to wear/do/be wary of!

Not all parishes do but usually the catechumens are dismissed after the liturgy of the word as they can not participate in the eucharist.

But i guess that depends the size of the parish and number of catechumens, if there is just one or two maybe it will create strange feelings.

I read somewhere that the catechumens are being dismissed so they can ponder about the liturgy of the word in peace and continue their prayer.
Meanwhile it also serves as a reminder of the initiated catholics about the privilege they acctually got to be called to participate in the communion.

 

[IrnBru]

AH!

That makes sense now!

I’m the only one from my parish going through this year so its easier for me to stay during the whole mass etc

Cheers for clearing the confusion up!

 

[anjoh66]

AH!

That makes sense now!

I’m the only one from my parish going through this year so its easier for me to stay during the whole mass etc

Cheers for clearing the confusion up!

Haha i know, i am in the same situation, the only one in my parish and i was never dismissed, rather encouraged to stay the whole mass.

But i know that in another parish we have they do in the way i said previously as they have a larger number of catechumens