Very quick question regarding RCIA

[beth40n2]

My RCIA classes where held on a Thursday night and we never had dismissal. The other people in my class had been going to the church for years, but had never joined. So maybe my priest didn’t see the need. Also we were all baptised! Non of us very Catechumens (unbabaptised). That may make a difference.

 

[CEM5]

I beg to differ with you, but the dismissal is for the unbaptized only. All the rubrics in the Rite only speak of catechumens being dismissed. However many parishes erroneously dismiss the candidates as well.

Hi Joannm,

You aren’t in essence differing with me, but with the RCIA “program” and the ancient ritual. When you learn about the history of this ancient rite, you will notice that the Mass was divided into two part: the Mass of the Faithful who have already been (validly) baptized, and the Mass of the Catechumens, who are learning about the faith and have not yet been baptized, and cannot partake of the Eucharist. Because of validly baptized, yet not in full communion with the Church, those “candidates” are also dismissed along with the catechumens. The Church continus this ancient tradition.

Recall that in ancient times, when the Church was young, there was no “Protestant” or other churches: there was only the Universal (catholic) Church and either Jew or pagan.

Parishes don’t “erroneously” dismiss candidates. Candidates, along with Catechumens, are learning about the Faith and Moral traditions (doctrines) of the Catholic Church and growing in deeper faith and love for God through the journey of RCIA and the Breaking of the Word (at dismissal).

blessings,
CEM

 

[jmcrae]

Is “dismissal” a normal part of the RCIA program?

Its just I have never seen anyone mention it. It is REQUIRED part of my wifes RCIA program. if she doesn’t attend dismissal she doesn’t get baptized.

This is part of the normal RCIA process for unbaptized people.

Candidates (those who have already been baptized) should stay for the whole Mass, and then join the Catechumens in their meeting, for a deeper session of Catechesis that follows the “Catechumens only” portion of the meeting.

 

[CEM5]

it should be the choice of the baptized candidate whether or not he wishes to join the Breaking open the Word session. In any case he does not yet have a Mass obligation before Confirmation, but even if candidates are dismissed, the distinction between the baptized and unbaptized should be made clear in the dismissal blessing and sending prayers.

Hello puzzleannie,

It is not a choice if the candidate wishes to become in full communion with the Church and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

After the Inquiry stage of RCIA, after which comes the Rite of Welcoming (for the validly baptized) and the Rite of Acceptance (for those who are not baptized), it is manditory that they attend Mass. If they miss too many, the Parish understands the ***lack of commitment ***and they can refuse to have them receive the Sacraments and be received into the Church. In the ancient Church, the catechumens HAD to attend. It showed their committment to the Lord and their desire to become members of His Body.

blessings,
CEM

 

[jmcrae]

It may be erroneous, but I’m very grateful for it. Though I’d been Baptized as a lutheran, I needed all the extra instruction I received in the “Breaking Open the Word”. Just because one is Baptized does not make a person automatically have any understanding of Catholicism. I would think that goes without saying.

I hope that “Breaking Open the Word” was not the only Catechism class available for the RCIA? It is a very beginner-oriented format - there is supposed to be an actual Catechism class taking place either after the same Mass, or at a time that is easy for everyone to get to, that goes deeper into things than that.