Rite of Welcoming

[puzzleannie]

During the Rite of Welcoming, catechumens are “signed” with the cross on their foreheads by the Priest, and then signed on their foreheads, ears, eyes, lips, shoulders, hearts, hands, and feet, by their sponsors.

— Adapted from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults​

check your source. the Rite of Welcoming is for Candidates. Catechumens celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. there is a combined rite to be used when both groups will be present, but the presider must make it clear to the participants, sponsors and community the distinction between the baptized and the unbaptized.

 

[Karin]

check your source. the Rite of Welcoming is for Candidates. Catechumens celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. there is a combined rite to be used when both groups will be present, but the presider must make it clear to the participants, sponsors and community the distinction between the baptized and the unbaptized.

Guess you did not read the whole post…my bad for the typo by the way…should of been Candidates not Catechumens

 

[puzzleannie]

If I choose conversion I am very well aware of everything I must believe, which I am fully willing to do if that is where the Lord leads me. However, I am still waiting for the Holy Spirit to lead me into the Catholic church, which is why I am reluctant to present myself as a Catholic.

I have heard all the arguments for why I should not convert, however, I am willing to let the Lord take me where He wants me.

That being said, I sincerely thank you for your concern.

God Bless,

RyanL’s Wife

strictly speaking, while you are of course on a journey of continuing conversion, as are all Christians, you are not “converting” as the word is used in RCIA, which means the initial turning away from sin and embracing the Gospel. You have already done that, long ago. You are undergoing a process of returning to full communion with the Church, and healing the breach that exists because of the sad disruption of Christian unity that has its roots in historical and political events, as well as doctrinal and moral disagreements.

RCIA takes as long as it takes. it is different for everyone. there is no reason for a candidate to feel, or a catechist to insist, that everyone follow the same time table. It simply does not work like that. You have correctly stated the situation: you are receptive to the workings of the Holy Spirit and responsive to His movements in your soul. Where your difficulties hinge on further understanding of doctrine the RCIA class will help you, as much in explaining your beliefs to others as in hearing their testimony. Where they hinge on internal spiritual progress, as you rightly state, that depends on the action of the Holy Spirit and your cooperation, is inward, cannot be dictated, moved along, imposed by the class or its directors.

It may take years. We have a lovely lady in my former parish, also a Baptist married to a Catholic (23 years), who having agreed to raise the children Catholic resolved to learn everything she could about the faith. Being an academically inclined person she did so, and in fact taught CCD for many years (most people in the parish had no idea she was not Catholic). she never received communion of course, but that is not uncommon here. When she expressed her desire to move closer and eventually come into full communion, we referred her to the pastor, who was new, and surprised to learn she still identified herself as Baptist. He met with her for several weeks, helped her over lingering doubts–the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the role of Mary. He simply suggested that when she was at Mass she ask Christ to speak to her about these things. He did, she responded, and was received into the Church at Easter.

 

[RyanL_s_Wife]

So, at some level you know that you will become Catholic, some day.

Honestly? At some level I feel like I don’t have a choice. The husband is the spiritual leader of my house. How can I be one with him if we have different beliefs regarding the Church. But, if I don’t feel God’s call then that is that. A part of me is hoping I am support to join the church, but it isn’t something I will do just because it would make things easier for my family. There is much more to it than that, as I am sure you undestand.

In your mind, what is your faith?

Is it the people you used to go to Church with? People that you love, because they were the first to bring you the message of the Gospel?

Because you need to know that your love for them won’t diminish, if you become Catholic.

What came out on the post was not what I meant. I noticed something was not right about what I said, but was in a hurry and didn’t think it through. But yes, you are right it isn’t so much betraying my faith; but rather, betraying my church. If in the end, I do not join the Catholic church, I don’t want to look back and see myself posing as something I am not…

 

[RyanL_s_Wife]

I read through this thread and truly wish that others, Catholic and non-Catholic alike would give as much thought to their walk with Christ as you are doing:thumbsup:

. Thanks!

You should not participate in this rite with the doubts you have. You should talk to the priest as to why you don’t feel you can participate yet, but tell him you wish to continue to come to the classes.

That is what I am planning. We are meeting Wednesday afternoon.

But I would ask a quetion of you that I was touched on by jmcrae. You say you feel you will be betraying your faith.

Currently, it appears as if your loyalty to Christ is tied to the Baptist Church and you seem to be feeling that if you sever your ties to the Baptist Church, you are also somehow severing your ties to Christ.

Yes, I realize what I said was inaccurate. I probably should have said betraying my church. But, here is the thing. If I present myself as a Catholic, I feel like I will be presenting myself as someone who holds to Catholic beliefs…someone who believes the Eucharist is indeed, the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. If later, I conclude (for myself) that the Catholic church is NOT the true church of Christ, and communion is symbolic, I would have huge issues knowing at one time I presenting myself as someone who “worshipped of a piece of bread”
(Let me stop and say…I am in NO WAY saying you guys are doing that. I am undecided on true presence at the moment, I could very easily go either way. I was just offering this as an example of something I would regret if I make the ultimate decision to remain Baptist.)

You need define faith differently. Your faith is in Christ. Currently, your Church membership is to the baptist Church.

Your loyalty is to Christ. And even if you become Catholic, it is not because your loyalty is now to the Catholic Church instead of Christ, but you will see that your loyalty is to the Catholic Church *because *of your loyalty to Christ and His desires for you.

AGREED:thumbsup:

 

[MariaG]

Honestly? At some level I feel like I don’t have a choice. The husband is the spiritual leader of my house. How can I be one with him if we have different beliefs regarding the Church. But, if I don’t feel God’s call then that is that. A part of me is hoping I am support to join the church, but it isn’t something I will do just because it would make things easier for my family. There is much more to it than that, as I am sure you undestand.

What came out on the post was not what I meant. I noticed something was not right about what I said, but was in a hurry and didn’t think it through. But yes, you are right it isn’t so much betraying my faith; but rather, betraying my church. If in the end, I do not join the Catholic church, I don’t want to look back and see myself posing as something I am not…

I have to laugh at myself a little. I did not post this earlier although I wrote it and deleted it since I felt if the issue was betraying your faith, that was the first issue to deal with. I see that you just misspoke

But I felt as if part of this issue was that you were doing this only because of your respect for your husband, the spiritual head of your household.

I have to tell you, from this side of this, I am truly excited for you. Those whom have to wrestle with their faith like this do so for a reason. God is expecting great things from you. You obviously need to keep working on this, but remember, God may just be asking for you to take that step of faith without all the T’s crossed and I’s dotted.

He has given you the knowledge, comfort and understanding that your husband is the spiritual head of the household. And now God may just be asking for you to take that step of faith without a net.

For some people, the knowledge is what needs to come first. For others, like me , it was the step of faith first, followed by the knowledge. I knew I had to go to the Catholic Church because of the Eucharist. I went. I acknowledged that the Catholic Church had the authority. And then any lingering questions I had were answered. I was blessed that God did it through scripture too, since one of my worries was that I would not be able to “find it in the Bible”.

You acknowledge that your husband is in authority over you as the spiritual head of the household. This is a step that many women never make. It is huge! In reality, it is a small step to acknowledge that the Church is also in authority over you since your husband is in submission to the authority of the Church already. (Small from my view ).

I will continue to pray for you all. And I truly cannot wait to see what your husband and you do for the glory of His Kingdom. Can’t you just feel the Holy Spirit, eager with anticipation of where He is going to lead you?

God is standing there with the grace you need. My advice to you from a person who had to take the step first, with knowledge coming second? Reach out in faith, trusting that your prayer that your husband would come to be the spiritual head of your household (I know you thought God would answer that through Ryan becoming Baptist), but know that your prayer has been answered and God is waiting for you to follow where He already led your husband because of your righteous prayers.

Whichever path you have to take, T’s and I’s crossed and dotted or the step of faith and the questions answered in time, just remember that God has great plans for you and your husband.

God Bless,
Maria