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Rite
of Christian
Initiation of
Adults (RCIA)
A faith journey, an ongoing process, constantly turning to the Lord, continuing through adult life.
RCIA
Contact Information
RCIA Information |
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The Rite of Election
The Church, identified in Scripture as the Elect of God, holy and beloved,
is urged to be zealous about making her call and election secure by
responding with Spirit filled mission; to be the means by which God’s love
abounds in the world. We, the baptized, are the Church.
Next week we ritualize the addition of newly elect (currently “catechumen”)
who will be baptized at Easter and, at the same time we recognize the
continuing journey of some of the already baptized toward completion of
their initiation or reception into full communion with the Church.
While discernment for election occurs at the local level, the Rite of
Election will be celebrated with the Bishop. He is responsible for
initiation, and will preside at the actual Rite the following week in
another parish. Election is about God’s choice of the catechumens to embrace
the mission of Jesus and is a turning point in the initiation process: from
the extended formation period of the Catechumenate to the Lenten retreat.
Sponsors are entrusted with the responsibility to give testimony and the
Church (represented by the Bishop) chooses the catechumens for the
celebration of the initiation sacraments that mark their immersion in the
paschal mystery and, therefore, the mission of the reign of God.
The initiative of God is to call a person to God’s self, to invite the other
into relationship. Our tradition speaks of those who are so invited by God
as the “elect”, those on whom God’s favor rests. Bishop, giving voice to the
call of God, declares with confidence that they are God’s chosen.
The catechumen responds freely, embracing the responsibilities of
discipleship publicly by signing the parish book of the elect and, later, by
verbally answering the bishop’s inquiry.
In addition, those baptized who are making public their decision to complete
their initiation with Eucharist and Confirmation (the “candidates”), or who
are preparing for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church
will be presented to the bishop at this same Rite of Election. Recognition
and the call to continuing conversion focus on the decision of the
candidates to complete their initiation in response to their election by God
at their baptism.
The Rite of Sending of both candidates and elect will be celebrated at the
11:00 mass on February 25 and will provide an opportunity for the local
community to ritualize and celebrate this pivotal moment. We express our
approval and send them forth assured of the parish’s care and support.
As we pray with and for these elect and candidates, we, the baptized might
ask ourselves: Who would give testimony for me, if I were seeking membership
in the elect today? What would they say about God’s action in my life? What
evidence would be offered?
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