KEY MINISTRIES AND OFFICES OF THE RCIA (40)

Introduction

In the previous article, I examined the role of the Christian community in the RCIA. I explained that the RCIA is a mentorship process by which the community nurtures and supports the catechumens toward Christian discipleship. The community evangelizes, welcomes and extends hospitality, shares the faith, prays with and celebrates the liturgy with the catechumens. Therefore, the RCIA, as P. Ball calls in his book “Adult Believing: A Guide to the Christian Initiation of Adults”, a “every member ministry”.  The RCIA, however, also indicates that there are several key ministries and offices that have to carry out the mentoring role in a more significant way.  

Sponsors

Perhaps the closest figure in Christian initiation to that of a mentor is the sponsor. The office of sponsor forms an indispensable part of the process. In his book entitled, “Mentoring: The Ministry of Spiritual Kinship”, E.C. Sellner, describes a sponsor as “a teacher, a host and guide, an exemplar, a counselor and a facilitator of the other person’s dream”. The sponsor not only helps the catechumens develop initial and foundational skills for a life of Christian discipleship but also journeys with them as a supporting and nurturing companion. The sponsor also acts as a witness to the catechumen’s moral character, faith and intention (RCIA, 10), as well as, help him or her experience more directly a sense of communion and mission of the community (see also: HERALD, April 20, 2025).

Godparents

Another important office in the RCIA is that of the godparent. The RCIA describes the office of the godparent as follows:

Godparents are persons chosen by the candidates on the basis of example, good qualities, and friendship, delegated by the local Christian community, and approved by the priest. It is the responsibility of godparents to show the candidates how to practice the Gospel in personal and social life, to sustain the candidates in moments of hesitancy and anxiety, to bear witness and to guide the candidate’s progress in the baptismal life. Chosen before the candidates’ election, godparents fulfill this office publicly from the day of the rite of election, when they give testimony to the community about the candidates. They continue to be important during the time after reception of the sacraments when the neophytes need to be assisted so that they remain true to their baptismal promises (RCIA, 11).

The above-stated description of the office the godparent has two implications for the Christian community. Firstly, the choosing of godparents is a responsibility in which the entire community participates since it is the community itself that delegates the godparent, although the priest gives the approval. Secondly, since godparents come from the community and serve as representatives of the community, they have a responsibility not only to the catechumens but to the community that they perform their responsibilities well.

Bishop

The General Introduction to Christian Initiation states that bishops “should have a particular concern for the preparation and baptism of adults” (GI, 12). The RCIA points out that it is the bishop who is primarily responsible for establishing, regulating and promoting the adult initiation process in the diocese (RCIA, 12). More specifically, it is his role to preside at the Rite of Election and to admit catechumens for baptism, and when possible, at the Easter Vigil, where those have undergone proper preparation will receive the Sacraments of Initiation. 

Priests

The RCIA states that priests, besides presiding at the liturgical rites of the initiation process and the Sacraments of Initiation, have the responsibility of attending to the “pastoral and personal care of the catechumens, especially those who seem hesitant and discouraged”. They are to provide catechesis to the catechumens and approve the choice of godparents (RCIA, 13). In general, priests can exercise a considerable influence on the catechumenate. Since they are charged with overseeing the complete pastoral and spiritual care of a parish, they can help integrate the catechumenal process with the life of the parish. Through their initiative, and in collaboration with the sponsors, godparents and RCIA team, priests can ensure that the adult catechumenate becomes the responsibility of the entire parish community.

Deacons

According to the RCIA, “Deacons should be ready to assist in the ministry to catechumens” (RCIA, 15). In dioceses where the permanent diaconate has been established, bishops are to ensure that are sufficient numbers of permanent deacons to assist in the liturgical rites and formation of the catechumens. 

Catechists

The RCIA describes the catechist as having an “important office for the progress of the catechumens and for the growth of the community” (RCIA, 16). In reality, however, the term “catechist” is not often used in the context of the catechumenate. Instead, the preferred term is “facilitator”. This due to the manifold responsibilities that members of the RCIA team have to carry out. Infact, besides catechising the catechumens, the RCIA team has the main responsibility of overseeing the entire initiation process in the parish.

The RCIA team, consisting a small number of persons, would welcome those seeking initiation and accompany them closely, integrate them into the community, prepare them for the celebration of the liturgical rites and for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, as well as, perform numerous other duties. Therefore, the role of the RCIA team is crucial to the whole process. Not only are its members directly involved in the formation of the catechumens but also serve as a “bridge” between the catechumen and the community. In creating more awareness of the RCIA and getting more parish members to come into contact with the catechumens, the RCIA team can cause a ‘ripple effect’, leading to greater involvement of community in the initiation process. 

Other related-ministries

Although the RCIA only mentions the above-stated offices and ministers of the initiation process, other ministries have developed over the last few years. Catechetical expert, J. Wilde, in his book, “A Catechumenate Needs Everybody”, for example, identifies twenty different ministries in the RCIA. These include: prayer partners, catechumenate directors, catechumenate coordinators, precatechumenate coordinators, ministers of hospitality, musicians, ministers of evangelization, ministers of discernment minister, sponsor coordinators, spiritual directors and others. Many of these ministries have developed as a result of the social and cultural contexts in which the catechumenate takes place, as well as the needs of the community.

Conclusion

In the previous fifteen articles, I have written about various aspects of the RCIA. This is because the RCIA forms an essential part of the Church’s life and mission and all the baptised are to participate in the initiation process. It is hoped that the articles have been beneficial not only to those involved in the RCIA but to the readers at large. With this present article, I conclude the series on the RCIA.