Rite of Election Question

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blizzardL

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Do the parish priests normally attend the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion with the RCIA class from their parishes? Thank you kindly for your replies!
 
We have two priests and one of them always goes with us to the Rite of Election. However, it may not be possible for a priest to always go to the Rite of Election depending on his other commitments, distance to travel from the Parish to the Cathedral etc.
 
Our priest has never gone. The only ones who go are the candidates and catechumens, their families, the sponsors, the Director of Religious Education, and members of the RCIA team.
 
The priests from my parish never have attended the Rite of Election. While there I’ve seen only a handful of priests from the various parishes. Perhaps things are different in other areas.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
The priests from my parish never have attended the Rite of Election. While there I’ve seen only a handful of priests from the various parishes. Perhaps things are different in other areas.
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Ours have never gone. However, the Deacon in charge of the RCIA program does go. I always go since I am on the team, but I don’t see too many priests there. It really is not necessary for them to be present.
 
blizzardL said:
Do the parish priests normally attend the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion with the RCIA class from their parishes? Thank you kindly for your replies!
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I will be attending my Rite of Election ceremony by myself. I was told by my parish, even the sponsors do not have to attend.
 
blizzardL said:
Do the parish priests normally attend the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion with the RCIA class from their parishes? Thank you kindly for your replies!
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My experience is that if the priest is actively involved in the day to day operations of the RCIA, and know the people in the class, they will attend, but otherwise, they leave it to “the team.” This also depends on the personality and style of the priest - if he prefers for lay people to take care of the details, he probably won’t be involved, but if he likes to take an active role in things, then he will be there.
 
At the Rite of Election here the priests do not attend. This Rite is indeed one of my favorite OF liturgies.
 
blizzardL said:
Do the parish priests normally attend the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion with the RCIA class from their parishes? Thank you kindly for your replies!
Click to expand...
Our Priest does not attend, but our Deacon always does, along with the RCIA team.

DGB
 
Jkita said:
I will be attending my Rite of Election ceremony by myself. I was told by my parish, even the sponsors do not have to attend.
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Sponsors do attend because they are questioned by the bishop during the rite and they accompany the catechumen up and stand with them as they sign the book of the Elect.
 
Jkita said:
I will be attending my Rite of Election ceremony by myself. I was told by my parish, even the sponsors do not have to attend.
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That is incorrect - it’s actually even more important for the sponsor to be there than for the candidate, because the sponsor answers on behalf of the candidate to testify that the candidate has successfully completed his Period of Catechesis and has no impediments to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
 
jmcrae said:
That is incorrect - it’s actually even more important for the sponsor to be there than for the candidate, because the sponsor answers on behalf of the candidate to testify that the candidate has successfully completed his Period of Catechesis and has no impediments to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
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Thanks for the information, our parish secretary told me “she didn’t think so” when I asked her, but I will be contacting the other parish myself. She may have said this because I have to travel about 1hr 45mins. to attend the ceremony.
 
Joannm said:
Sponsors do attend because they are questioned by the bishop during the rite and they accompany the catechumen up and stand with them as they sign the book of the Elect.
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Thanks for the information, our parish secretary told me “she didn’t think so” when I asked her, but I will be contacting the other parish myself. She may have said this because I have to travel about 1hr 45mins. to attend the ceremony.
 
Jkita said:
Thanks for the information, our parish secretary told me “she didn’t think so” when I asked her, but I will be contacting the other parish myself. She may have said this because I have to travel about 1hr 45mins. to attend the ceremony.
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The secretary is not trained in RCIA - ask your Coordinator or the priest next time. 🙂
 
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