Rite of Election

[keri6789]

In a few weeks I’m going to go to the Rite of Election. What exactly is going to happen? I tried to look online but everything I found didn’t really make sense to me. Could someone that has done this give me alittle info??

 

[buzzcut]

I did it. As far as I remember all the candidates and catechumens went up to the front and the Bishop gave us each a blessing, one by one.

 

[puzzleannie]

Rite of Election
the bishop elects, or calls, the catechumens
the logistics may vary, but in essentials the bishop greets the catechumens (ideally outside the church or cathedral where this is taking place) and welcomes them. Our bishop shakes each and every hand. Then the catechumens process into the church and take their seats. The pastors (or their delegates) introduce the catechumens from each parish, who come forward, announce their name (or the pastor calls out the names) and sign the Book of the Elect. The Bishop performs the blessing, and his remarks address their intensive preparation for baptism that takes place during Lent.

This takes place in the context of the Mass on the First Sunday of Lent, or possibly at a Mass or Liturgy of the Word later in the week. If the second case, the catechumens are called forward in their own parish on the first Sunday of Lent, sign the book of elect there, receive a blessing and are “sent” to the bishop for Election. This is called, obviously, the Rite of Sending for Election.

These rites are proper only for the unbaptized. There is a parallel rite for the baptized candidates, but it is not election, they are already numbered among the elect by virtue of their baptism.

In case of pastoral necessity, the priest may, with permission of the bishop, celebrate the rite of election in the parish, but he must be sure to explain to all present that he exercises this call in the name of the bishop, to whom the privilege belongs.

during Lent you are no longer catechumens, but the Elect. This rite should only be done once, at the beginning of Lent in the year you will be baptized at Easter. If there are unavoidable circumstances that interrupt your progress during Lent (move out of state, military deployment, grave illness) you should not be made to start over at square one. You would either be baptized as soon as you can complete prepartions, without waiting for Easter, or be initiated the following Easter, participating in the rites and preparations of Lent, but as one who is already among the Elect.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

In a few weeks I’m going to go to the Rite of Election. What exactly is going to happen? I tried to look online but everything I found didn’t really make sense to me. Could someone that has done this give me alittle info??

What you have never voted for a new pastor or Bishop before?

The Rite of Election is celebrated when your pastor, you, and your Sponsor all agree that you are ready to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. You are Elected to join the select group ready for the Easter Vigil Rites. You will sign your name in “The Book of the Elect” your sponsor will also sign next to yours, attesting to the fact that you have proven yourself ready by living out the Catholic Faith in your life. The Bishop will accept this and authorize your admission to the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Rite of Election
the bishop elects, or calls, the catechumens
the logistics may vary, but in essentials the bishop greets the catechumens (ideally outside the church or cathedral where this is taking place) and welcomes them. Our bishop shakes each and every hand. Then the catechumens process into the church and take their seats. The pastors (or their delegates) introduce the catechumens from each parish, who come forward, announce their name (or the pastor calls out the names) and sign the Book of the Elect. The Bishop performs the blessing, and his remarks address their intensive preparation for baptism that takes place during Lent.

This takes place in the context of the Mass on the First Sunday of Lent, or possibly at a Mass or Liturgy of the Word later in the week. If the second case, the catechumens are called forward in their own parish on the first Sunday of Lent, sign the book of elect there, receive a blessing and are “sent” to the bishop for Election. This is called, obviously, the Rite of Sending for Election.

These rites are proper only for the unbaptized. There is a parallel rite for the baptized candidates, but it is not election, they are already numbered among the elect by virtue of their baptism.

In case of pastoral necessity, the priest may, with permission of the bishop, celebrate the rite of election in the parish, but he must be sure to explain to all present that he exercises this call in the name of the bishop, to whom the privilege belongs.

during Lent you are no longer catechumens, but the Elect. This rite should only be done once, at the beginning of Lent in the year you will be baptized at Easter. If there are unavoidable circumstances that interrupt your progress during Lent (move out of state, military deployment, grave illness) you should not be made to start over at square one. You would either be baptized as soon as you can complete prepartions, without waiting for Easter, or be initiated the following Easter, participating in the rites and preparations of Lent, but as one who is already among the Elect.

Our Rite of Election has never taken place within a Mass. It has always been only within a Liturgy of the Word. Because those who are there, the Un-baptized Elect, would be required to be dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist, since they are not yet Baptized.

 

[puzzleannie]

Our Rite of Election has never taken place within a Mass. It has always been only within a Liturgy of the Word. Because those who are there, the Un-baptized Elect, would be required to be dismissed before the Liturgy of the Eucharist, since they are not yet Baptized.

number one, there is no requirement that the catechumens be dismissed, it is one option. There are many cases where it is not possible or appropriate. Number two, even if they are dismissed, the rite can be done in the context of the Sunday Mass, after the gospel, then they are dismissed as usual. chill.

If this is done at the diocesan cathedral, it will probably be done on a Sunday afternoon or weeknight in the context of a liturgy of the Word (or possibly evening vespers), but it could be done at Mass in the parish if that is the custom or dictated by pastoral necessity.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

We actually 2 step it
Step one in regular Sunday mass the catechumens are called up front. They individually record their name in the parish register book, and are then dismissed. Later that day they attend a second service (step 2) which is not a Mass at the diocese’s Cathedral in which the Bishop approves/ acknowledges each catechumen. This is done (poorly in my opinion) by each parish attending this session has a RCIA member come to the podium and read the new names in the parish register, as your name is called you stand up. When your parish speaker stops you sit down. After the service you can get in line and walk through and shake the Bishops hand. That is it. The Bishop acknowledges every catechumen 300-400 in about 30 minutes after a 20 minute service. The reason for this is the Bishop is actually is charge, your local Priest works at the discretion of the Bishop. Your Priest has only the authority the Bishop grants him. Even though marriages, funerals, membership (all sacraments) are performed in parishes the sole authority of such is from the diocese Bishop that is why you are going to him. Hope that helps

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

number one, there is no requirement that the catechumens be dismissed, it is one option. There are many cases where it is not possible or appropriate. Number two, even if they are dismissed, the rite can be done in the context of the Sunday Mass, after the gospel, then they are dismissed as usual. chill.

If this is done at the diocesan cathedral, it will probably be done on a Sunday afternoon or weeknight in the context of a liturgy of the Word (or possibly evening vespers), but it could be done at Mass in the parish if that is the custom or dictated by pastoral necessity.

I not arguing. I just wanted to say what has been done here in this diocese. Catechumens are “required” to be dismissed from Mass (if possible). And as you pointed out the Rite here is always in the afternoon, usually on Sunday and I think once on another day. The Rite of Sending (optional) is celebrated at Sunday Mass in the parish (here).