What is the origin of the Rite of Acceptance?

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Part the RCIA process includes the Rite of Acceptance. In some ways it is very similar to the Eastern Orthodox chrismation/confirmation.

In the Rite of Acceptance the Celebrant signs the forehead, ears, eyes, chest, shoulders, hands, and feet of the Catechumen. (See an example: catholicnh.org/assets/Documents/CatholicFaith/RCIA/AcceptanceAndWelcoming.pdf)

In the Eastern Orthodox chrismation/confirmation, the Celebrant anoints the forehead, eyes, ears, lips, chest, shoulders, hands and feet. (See an example: antiochian.org/Orthodox_Church_Who_What_Where_Why/What_Is_Holy_Chrismation.htm)

When I search the internet I find nothing regarding the history of the Rite of Acceptance. Are these two ceremonies somehow rooted in a common ceremony from the past?
 
gazelam said:
Part the RCIA process includes the Rite of Acceptance. In some ways it is very similar to the Eastern Orthodox chrismation/confirmation.

In the Rite of Acceptance the Celebrant signs the forehead, ears, eyes, chest, shoulders, hands, and feet of the Catechumen. (See an example: catholicnh.org/assets/Documents/CatholicFaith/RCIA/AcceptanceAndWelcoming.pdf)

In the Eastern Orthodox chrismation/confirmation, the Celebrant anoints the forehead, eyes, ears, lips, chest, shoulders, hands and feet. (See an example: antiochian.org/Orthodox_Church_Who_What_Where_Why/What_Is_Holy_Chrismation.htm)

When I search the internet I find nothing regarding the history of the Rite of Acceptance. Are these two ceremonies somehow rooted in a common ceremony from the past?
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From st-teresa.com/documents/RCIA/The%20Rite%20of%20Acceptance%2012%2012%2013%20speaker%20notes.pdf

*The Rite of Acceptance / The Rite of Welcoming

Basic Definitions:

Catechumen: A non-baptized individual who has made the decision to be baptized and enter the Church

Candidate: Previously baptized individual who seeks full communion with the Roman Catholic Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist

Catechumenate: The stage where those who have decided to enter the Church are being trained for a life in Christ.

In the Rite of Acceptance there is a change in identity where those previously known as inquirers become catechumens and candidates. The Church will officially welcome the catechumens and candidates as disciples, members (albeit not yet full members) of the household of faith. This rite is the “first consecration by the Church” for those seeking Christian initiation. You will literally be marked with the cross of Christ as God’s own.

Before the Rite of Acceptance, it is crucial that there has been a sufficient period for each inquirer, and that discernment has taken place to ready one for this step. Each individual needs to move along this journey at his/her own speed. This cannot and should not be rushed. When you feel you are ready to move forward… it is time.
*

Just FYI, the celebrant isn’t the one doing the signing of the catechumen or candidate. It is the sponsor or a stand in for the sponsor.
 
The RoA is not a sacrament, at least not in the way baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and annoying of the sick are. The Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation is the same sacrament as the Eastern Chrismation/Confirmation, though east and west handle it a little differently for those born into the faith. Eastern Christians do it at the same time as infant baptism. Western Christians wait until the Catholic is older. It’s all done at the same time for adult converts.
 
Oops! I only listed six sacraments. Catholics recognize seven. The last is Reconciliation/Confession/Penance.
 
Wesrock said:
The RoA is not a sacrament, at least not in the way baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and annoying of the sick are. The Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation is the same sacrament as the Eastern Chrismation/Confirmation, though east and west handle it a little differently for those born into the faith. Eastern Christians do it at the same time as infant baptism. Western Christians wait until the Catholic is older. It’s all done at the same time for adult converts.
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I hope no church is annoying the sick!! 😃

But seriously, isn’t it interesting or odd that the blessing of specific body parts occurs in a sacrament in the Eastern Orthodox church and in a non-sacramental rite in the Western church? I’m wondering if the two have a common beginning long long ago.
 
gazelam said:
I hope no church is annoying the sick!! 😃

But seriously, isn’t it interesting or odd that the blessing of specific body parts occurs in a sacrament in the Eastern Orthodox church and in a non-sacramental rite in the Western church? I’m wondering if the two have a common beginning long long ago.
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Given that both came from the same source and RCIA (although it may have had a different name) is almost as old as Christianity. It was a process started when it was very difficult to be a Christian in the Roman Empire. Generally when someone knew someone who knew someone who may at may not be one of these new Christian folks there was a period of what one may call extreme vetting. Rather than a few months RCIA could take 3-4 years or more. Then comes Constantine and it’s not a death sentence to be found to be a Christian.

I’m not sure what they did to bring people into the Church from then on. My understanding is modern RCIA is a fairly recent reinvention of the very early Church. The Rite of Acceptance and the signs are a way of the inquirers showing there intention to move on to the next phase and of the Church welcoming them. It is not a sacrament in the Catholic Church, just a rite. The sacrament of Confirmation is done either as a teen or for adults at the Easter Vigil. In the Catholic Church the priest or bishop will make a sign of the cross on the forehead of all confirmand stating "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The signs are:

*SIGNING OF THE OTHER SENSES OF THE CATECHUMENS
The signing is carried out by the catechists or the sponsors. (If required by special circumstances, this may be done by assisting priests or deacons.) The signing of each sense may be followed by an acclamation in praise of Christ, for example, “Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!”

While the ears are being signed, the celebrant says:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross on your ears, that you may hear the voice of the Lord.

While the eyes are being signed:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross on your eyes, that you may see the glory of God.

While the lips are being signed:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross on your lips, that you may respond to the word of God.

While the breast is being signed:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross over your heart, that Christ may dwell there by faith.
While the shoulders are being signed:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross on your shoulders, that you may bear the gentle yoke of Christ.

While the hands are being signed:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross on your hands, that Christ may be known in the work which you do.

While the feet are being signed:
Presider: Receive the sign of the cross on your feet, that you may walk in the way of Christ.*

I don’t know a great deal about the Eastern Church so I won’t attempt to speak about how things are done there now.
 
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