THE SHAPE AND STRUCTURE OF THE RCIA (34)

Introduction

In the previous article, I described the events leading to the restoration of the adult catechumenate in the Catholic Church. The fruit of the restoration is the establishment of the formal process of initiating adults into the Church known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). In this article, I will examine briefly the shape and structure of the RCIA.

How is the RCIA carried out?

The RCIA is an initiation process that is carried out through four PERIODS of time and three liturgical STEPS which are linked to one another. These periods and steps serve as key moments that mark the spiritual journey and growth experienced by the individual seeking entrance into the Church.

• The four periods of time are: Evangelisation and Precatechumenate, the Catechumenate, Enlightenment and Purification and Mystagogy.

• The three liturgical steps are: Acceptance into the Order of the Catechumens, Rite of Election and Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.

What happens in the Period of Evangelisation and Precatechumenate?

The person interested in the Catholic Faith is invited to attend informal gatherings for a number of weeks at the parish. At this time, the individual is called an ‘inquirer’ since he or she has come to question and find out more about Jesus and the Catholic Faith. The focus here is to introduce the inquirer to the life and message of Jesus and help him or her experience initial faith and conversion to Christ, as well as, come into first contact with the Christian community. The role of the community is to listen and respond to the inquirer’s questions and concerns in the light of the Gospel of Christ and the teachings of the Church.

What happens if the individual wishes to take the next step?

When the times comes for the enquirer to make a commitment to become a member of the Church, he or she is invited to participate in the first liturgical step, that is, the Rite of Acceptance into Order of Catechumens. However, before he or she is accepted into the Order of Catechumens, the Church will demand certain prerequisites from the inquirer. He or she must show evidence of the initial faith and conversion to Christ and the intention to change his or her life so as to enter into relationship with God in Christ.

Consequently, there must also be evidence of a start to the practice of calling upon God in prayer, a sense of the Church, and some experience of the Christian community through contact with the parish priest and with of the community (RCIA, n. 42). In general, the inquirer must express a sincere desire to follow Christ and his teachings and to live as a member of the Church. At this time too, some members of the community will come forward to serve as “sponsors” to the inquirers. The sponsor will accompany the inquirer with prayers, advice and support.

What happens at the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens?

At the celebration of the Rite, the person publicly expresses his or her intention to become a Catholic before the Christian community. The Church on her part accepts the individual as someone wishing to become her member and accepts him/her as a candidate for initiation. The Rite itself consists three parts. Firstly, the person is presented to the community as someone seeking entrance into the Church. Secondly, he or she joins the community in listening to the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures and the homily at Mass. Thirdly, the person is dismissed from the assembly after the homily. However, it is also usual for him or her to be invited by the priest to remain with the community for the rest of the Mass.

After the Rite of Acceptance, the person, now known as a ‘catechumen’, enters into the next period, that is, the Period of the Catechumenate. According to the RCIA, “… the Church embraces the catechumens as its own with a mother’s love and concern” (RCIA, 47). The catechumens are considered as part of the Church. They are encouraged to take part in the celebrations of the word during Mass and to receive blessings. When two catechumens marry or when a catechumen marries an unbaptised person, the appropriate rite is used. One who dies during the catechumenate receives a Christian burial (RCIA, 47).

What happens during the Period of the Catechumenate?

The second period in the RCIA takes place over an extended period of time, usually about five months. The aim here is for the catechumen to mature in his or her relationship with Christ and become familiar with the Catholic Faith. Also, the catechumen gradually inserts him or herself into the Christian community. The Church, on her part, welcomes, encourages and supports the catechumen with catechesis, a sense of community and the appropriate liturgical celebrations and prayers.

At the same time, the catechumen is encouraged to become involved in a parish ministry- group or Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) Involvement a ministry-group or BEC provides the catechumen the opportunity to understand what it means to be a Christian witness and to serve others (RCIA, 75-77). In this way, the catechumen is guided progressively on a spiritual journey toward greater conversion, deeper faith in God and commitment to Christ and the Church.

What kind of catechesis is provided?

The parish priest appoints certain members of the community to serve as catechists (also known as RCIA facilitators). They will have the main responsibility in ensuring that the catechumen is formed in the knowledge of the Faith. Commonly, catechesis takes place in the parish once a week. Catechesis provided to the catechumen has to be holistic and systematic in nature. Its aim is to help the catechumen have an appropriate knowledge of the Church and her teachings and come to a greater understanding and appreciation of the Bible. Basically, the Period of the Catechumenate will help the catechumen know the faith, to celebrate and live it and to serve others.

What are the liturgical rites celebrated during this period?

The catechumens will be required to participate in several rites. Among the rites are:

• The celebration of the minor exorcism which is to encourage the catechumen to repent or ask for forgiveness from God for his or her sins and to renounce any false worship or anything that is incompatible with the Christian faith (RCIA, 90-93).

• The impartation of blessings which is to encourage, support and inspire the catechumen in his or her faith and commitment to Christ (RCIA, 95-96).

• The anointing the catechumen with oil which reminds him or her of the need to depend on God’s help and strength (RCIA, 78-89).

What happens at the end of the Period of Catechumenate?

Upon completing the Period of the Catechumenate, those wishing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation are invited to ‘hand in’ their names in order to affirm their decision to become Catholics. By now, the person must also have a real desire for the sacraments and to want to belong to the Church (RCIA, 120). Again, the Church will evaluate the readiness of the catechumen - his or her degree of conversion, maturity of faith, growth in charity, understanding of Christian teachings and practice (RCIA, 121-122). After which, the catechumen will be invited to participate in the next liturgical step, namely, the Rite of Election.

Conclusion

Due to space limitations, I have so far only examined the first two periods and first liturgical step of the RCIA. In the next article, I will discuss the Rite of Election and the Period of Purification and Enlightenment.