Celebrating the Rite of Election
The Catholic Communications Network has efficiently compiled a report of the numbers attending a Rite of Election, held on either Saturday or Sunday of last weekend (1st of Lent) from each of the dioceses in England and Wales. Once again the numbers reveal a consistent response from people who have made an active choice to come into full communion within the Catholic Church, which also affirms and celebrates the process of welcome, accompaniment and formation which is obviously happening throughout the country.
It also reminds us that not all parishes are able to, or chose to, attend the central Rite of Election which means that the ‘numbers’ tallied each year are only a benchmark. They are also somewhat misleading due to the fact that we don’t see the distinction between catechumens and candidates. However, the implication of increasing totals each year can only be Good News.
Listening to the different ways in which the Rite of Election is celebrated led me to reflect on our experience here in Southwark. We begin planning the Rite in October, reflecting on scripture, music and liturgical art options. An invitation is sent to all parishes in January with a Registration form where the names of those catechumens and/or candidates expected to attend are recorded. As the Diocese is quite large we group the registration of parishes and attendees by area: South East, South West and Kent.
The Rite is held at St George’s Cathedral for everyone registered and is a collaborative effort between the parishes, the Chancery and the Auxiliary Bishops, the Cathedral staff, Liturgy & Music Committee, the Christian Education Centre and a wide variety of volunteers.
Because the Rite of Election is a liturgy unlike any other there is a vibrancy and chaos that brings its own joys and challenges. In the planning we remember this may be the first, and possibly only, time that many of those attending will have been in their metropolitan church. Several ‘Preview Evenings’ are held for RCIA co-ordinators, teams, catechumens and candidates in order to give them a sense of the liturgy and what to expect. We receive many positive comments about how helpful these evenings have been.
We use the Combined Rite #547-561 with Election for Catechumens and Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates. A service booklet is prepared with the hymns, scripture references, prayers and responses. The Book of the Elect is symbolically located in the Baptistery and once the Catechumen has signed it they are seated with their Godparent in a group on and around the sanctuary. Candidates and their Sponsors are seated as a group in the central nave.
Just as the Book of the Gospels has been brought forward in procession and proclaimed, so too is the Book of the Elect. Three readers, representing the three areas, and the Auxiliary Bishop of that area take turns to proclaim the parish name and the person’s name: St Francis, Maidstone Sally Tracey, Robert Stillwell, etc …. It takes ages, but as each catechumen stands with his or her godparent the Cathedral comes alive. The presider then enters into dialogue with the godparents, the assembly and the catechumen. A joyful acclamation is sung to acknowledge the presentation and election of these catechumens and then we repeat the proclamation of parishes and people’s names as the candidates are presented.
The affirmation of the sponsors and assembly and then the Act of Recognition is a powerful witness of ongoing conversion and community support.
This year 88 parishes were represented giving the catechumens and candidates present a glimpse of Southwark’s boundaries while inviting them to see themselves as part of the wider Church.
As we move further into the stage of Purification and Enlightenment let us pray:
Father of love and power, it is your will to establish everything in Christ and to draw us into his all embracing love. Guide these chosen ones: strengthen them in their vocation, build them into the kingdom of your Son, and seal them with the Spirit of your promise. We ask this through Christ our Lord….Amen.
What’s Cooking?
In her blog last week Caroline asked are we ready for the third period the Rite of Election heralds? Before we file this rite away until 2011, I would like to suggest that we ask ourselves, are we ready to think of a time in the not too distant future when we celebrate the Rite of Election as a single rite, and not as a combined rite with the Call to Continuing Conversion.
I know ours is not the only diocese to hold the rite on two separate occasions. We split the parishes: some in the morning and some in the afternoon. This was necessitated by the large numbers forward: 70 catechumens and 110 candidates. The cathedral could have been comfortably filled with just the catechumens, their godparents, family, friends and representatives from the parish communities.
So why would we bother to change?
Well, we’ve already been adapting the rite. In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as approved for use in the Dioceses of England and Wales, Scotland, there is no provision for a combined rite. Have a look at the introduction #105-115. The combined Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion is borrowed from the USA edition (RCIA #547).
Another way of looking at it is to think of it as preparing a meal. The different dishes will complement each other, each important in their own way. Into one big cooking pot, you put some basic ingredients. You have done your preparation (see #107 and 108 2nd para). The pot is simmering nicely. It just needs the final touch and a bit of time, which comes with Lent.
Into another pot you place some different ingredients: green vegetables. See Part 11 chapter 4: Preparation of Uncatechised Adults for Confirmation and Eucharist. The preparation is similar to that of the catechumens, though not identical, because of the need to remember the candidates ‘already baptised status’. The candidates are not in the same position as the elect. Though some of the rites of the catechumenate can be used to advantage: this does not include the Call to Continuing Conversion (#382). Not the same basic ingredients as our catechumens, and so great care needs to be taken, calling I suggest, for a separate pot. Side by side, they can come to the boil at the same time (#385).
Then we have some more ingredients, root vegetables, all grown from the same prepared plots. They keep their flavour by cooking separately and come to their peak in their own time. These are covered by Part II chapter 5 Reception of Baptised Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. They too receive spiritual and doctrinal preparation, suited to their specific needs, but avoiding anything that would equate them with catechumens (#391). So they definitely go in a separate pot.
As in all meals, each dish complements the other.
As to the advantage of having just the elect: it would allow for one ceremony where the elect could have their day. There would be room enough for more representatives from their parish. Thomas Morris (p.160) in his work on RCIA says how wonderful it would be if the affirmation by godparents could be spontaneous. Instead of the communal ‘They have’ called out, how great to hear a few words of witness about the catechumens progress.
For the candidates and those previously uncatechised catholics, our diocese already celebrates a special mass for new catholics and their families. Held in June it offers an opportunity for all new catholics to enjoy cathedral worship, feel what it is like to be part of the wider church and to meet the Bishop.
I wonder how long it will be before the conversation starts that will lead to just the Rite of Election being held in our different dioceses. I like to think that in years to come it will be necessary for our diocese to hold a morning and afternoon rite, but due to the sheer numbers of elect being prepared.
Sue P
Morris, Thomas. (1997) The RCIA: Transforming The Church. A resource for pastoral implementation.
The Rite of Election approaches – are we ready?
On Sunday next, 1st Sunday of Lent, our catechumens and candidates from across the Diocese will gather in the Cathedral, and be presented to our Bishop with the words :
'They have found strength in God's grace, and support in our community's prayers and example. Now they ask that after the celebration of the scrutinies, they be allowed to participate in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the eucharist'.
Those who have journeyed with them to this point find them 'to be sincere in their desire. They have listened to the word of Christ,and endeavoured to follow his commands; they have shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer', and so the Bishop announces to all present 'that our community has decided to call them to the sacraments', and then once again, he seeks the opinions of the godparents:
'As God is your witness, do you consider these candidates worthy to be admitted to the sacraments of Christian initiation?'
'Have they faithfully listened to God's word proclaimed by the Church?'
Have they responded to that word and begun to walk in God's presence?
Have they shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer?
And then speakly directly to the catechumens, the Bishop invites them to 'express your response clearly and in the presence of the whole Church', after which they are declared 'members of the elect'. The whole Church are charged with acceptance of these 'chosen of the Lord', and asked to continue to sustain them through 'loving care and example'
Quite a responsibility. Are we ready?
Lent is offered as a gift for the healing, encouragement and renewal of all - the catechumens, candidates, both adults and children, and the whole community:
- to grow in love
- to overcome hesitations and trust in Christ
- to find joy in daily prayer and reflection on the scriptures
- to acknowledge faults and work to correct them
- to share with others the joy found in faith.
In other words, as described in the Rite (RCIA 125-126) it is more about interior reflection than catechetical instruction - a time intended to purify and enlighten minds and hearts through a deeper knowledge and experience of Christ. So let go of anxiety about 'have we given them enough doctrine'/'do they know enough' - after all, the Rite of Election reminds us very firmly that this is a process of initiation - and relax, and allow lent to be the time of 'retreat' and deepening of relationship with Christ.
A friend offered me this Lenten Prayer which may help us to get the focus for Lent right!
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the realityof light. Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from worry; feast on trust. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives; fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer. Gentle God, during the season of feasting and fasting, gift us with Your Presence, so we can be gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.
You are warmly invited…..
Lent! and it begins with a blissful invitation 'Come back to me with all your heart'. At the beginning of this period in the ritual text is the quote 'The water that I shall give will turn into a spring of eternal life'. That sounds mysterious......
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RCIA 125: 'In the liturgy and liturgical catechesis of Lent, the reminder of baptism already received or the preparation for its reception, as well as the theme of repentance, renew the entire community along with those being prepared to celebrate the paschal mystery..... for both the elect and the cmmunity Lent is a time for spiritual recollection.'
We are being drawn into an ever-deepening experience of who Christ the Saviour is for us personally and communally. Through the Word, in Sunday Gospels, in scrutinies and presentations, we are invited to come closer and be touched by the one who has given us living water to quench our thirst, light for our path, and the freedom to live life to the full, in love and service of others. Its an opportunity for each of us to be reminded of who we are and who we are becoming, and to renew our resolve to hold fast. We might take time in these next six weeks to look at the initiation rites for ourselves, and through the lens of these promises, our intimate covenantal relationship can take on new meaning and hope. The whole purpose of the Gospel of John, proclaimed in the scrutinies, is our union wth Christ through the Spirit - so no academic pursuit this! No requirement to learn or acquire or achieve or posess - but simply to open, and allow for what is happening amongst the people in the Gospel narratives to happen among us in our communities. These are not rituals instituted and left behind by a departed Jesus, but Jesus risen and present in and around us now.
So with a double-awareness of Jesus in his time and history, and Jesus in similar movement in our lives, we respond to the invitation, the question:
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What is your thirst? What darkness or blind spots are in your life? What causes you to remain bound up in 'deathly' attitudes?
We read the gospel differently when we are hungry, says Gustavo Guttierez. You could by extension say we read the gospel differently when we are thirsty, blind or bound up with troubles? And we discover that Christ meets us right where we are, with living water, light for our path, new life full of hope and meaning.
So yes, I am looking forward to Lent and I pray to be open to both personal and community renewal.
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Lord God, You created the human race and are the author of its renewal. Bless all your adopted children and add these chosen ones to the harvest of your new covenant. As true children of the promise, may they rejoice in eternal life, won, not by the power of nature, but through the mystery of your grace. We ask this ghrough Christ our Lord. Amen (RCIA 122, B, Prayer over the Elect)
The road that leads to the glory of Easter
Reflection on the liturgy can be seen as the third stage of liturgical catechesis:
- Preparation to participate in the liturgy
- Participation in the liturgy
- Reflection on our participation in the liturgy.
It can be a key catechetical moment but like all such moments we do not ask others that which we have not asked of ourselves. So before we can ask the elect to reflect on their experience we must first reflect for ourselves. This is not to provide a stock of right answers but so we know what it means to answer the question.
This week's posting is a reflection on celebrating the Rite of Election by network members. Reflecting on what we do is a key part of the guidelines of the Network and so it seems appropriate to offer this space. What follows is not the story of one Rite of Election but a snapshot from around the country which will grow over the coming week.
I am always struck by that moment when Catechumens and Godparents and then Candidates and Sponsors stand up. In part because at these moments you see the people the liturgy is about. They are not isolated people but nor do they have the solidarity of standing in a large group. The answers of Godparents and Sponsors this year to those questions which go to the heart of the Rite were clear and certain. And then the sign of friendship and support seems to have a warmth and depth that speaks of a journey walked together.
The numbers of people is what makes the most stirring impression. Assuming that people are truly meaning what the Rite would have them mean – or even that they are attempting this – it is amazing and encouraging and challenging to see so many people coming to make a public profession of ‘new’ faith.
In the case of this diocese it is sad that the response to the numbers has been to abandon a principal symbolic action (the calling out or their names and the signing of their names by the elect) and to obscure the significance of the presentation of their names by combining it with the welcome of candidates for reception/completion of initiation and obscuring the presentation of (both sets of) names with a handshake with auxiliary bishops. The gesture of welcome is a genuine one, and well received by the elect and candidates, but it lacks the personal punch and commitment of the symbol of the declaration and handing over of the name
When I saw primroses flowering in the woods on Saturday, I thought of the wonder of creation and how these tiny flowers were being propelled into our world much earlier than usual. But don't we always have primroses in Lent and isn't creation just adapting and keeping in time, so all the concerns about it being an early Rite of Election this year melted into the sunlight.
Creation cropped up again when proclaimed in the Scriptures, a story that reflects a disastrous choice, and so I turned to the Rite and saw just how many choices have to be made, that enable the Godparents, Catechists, Sponsors, clergy, local community and the catechumens to be able to affirm that these in our midst are ready to go forward and become the 'elect'.
It's worth having a renewed look at the rite: being able to remember 'the lengthy period of formation ... of minds and hearts'#118, the 'conversion in mind and action and to have developed a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching as well as a spirit of faith and charity' #120, for that will need to sustain the elect during the period of purification and enlightenment.
They also have the experience of having shared the rite with their fellow catechumens, and candidates from throughout the diocese in a ceremony whose symbolism tells of the worldwide Church. I thought what a wonderful liturgical gesture: to have the elect (and candidates) walk down the side aisles of the cathedral, and when called, walk forward towards the Bishop, who in turn walked to greet each one. So there was a continual flow of movement as the Bishop greeted first on the right and then crossed to the other side; the person then turned and walked up the central aisle with their Godparent (Sponsor), through the womb (or heart) of the church. Whether by design or accident, it was rich in symbolism. Congratulations also to our Bishop who individually greeted around 37 catechumens and 130 candidates.
And finally I return to primroses: for as I saw the radiance on some of the faces of those presented to the Bishop, I fleetingly thought of the primroses radiant in the Lenten sunshine.
At St Barnabas' Cathedral in Nottingham, Bishop Malcolm welcomed the 125 candidates and catechumens who gathered for election. Our theme this year was 'Give as a gift - receive as a gift', based on Matthew 10:8. The sight of the candidates, catechumens and their sponsors processing into the cathedral behind the Book of the Elect was an awesome sight and profoundly moving. In advance, candidates and catechumens had been sent a scroll and invited to write down a passage from scripture which had touched them in some way. These were gathered in as they entered the Cathedral and after signing the Book of the Elect they were invited to take away a scroll as a gift. The word of God alive and active and a gift received and shared. We're only aware of one person who received their own scroll back!
In his homily, Bishop Malcolm spoke of the temptations around us, highlighting the temptation to individualism and the commitment of the candidates and catechumens to life as community. He spoke of the way faith was shared and spread in this part of the world, referring to St Bede and reminding us that our faith is received as a gift and is a gift to be given and shared. Each of the elect received a prayer card with the prayer the Diocese of Nottingham is using to focus on how we hand on our faith, and the front of the card showed an image of The English Cross, a cross carved from a dead tree by local artist, Rev Jean Lamb.
At the Rite of Election this year one young woman arrived on her own to be presented to the Bishop as a candidate. She was very nervous and did not have her request for admission form with her. We were able to provide her with a new form and she was befriended by a member of another parish who sat with her and accompanied her to meet the Bishop. How she had been sent forth from her parish on her own I do not know but thank God for the kind stranger who is now a friend. Both women were very moved by the experience and saw God very much at work in their meeting and participation in the Rite of Election.
Reflecting on the Rite of Election
Next week's post is intended to be a space to reflect on the experience of celebrating the Rite of Election If you would like to contribute please send a couple of sentences or a short paragraph to Martin Foster
Will there be fewer people at the Rite of Election this year?
I received an email newsletter just before Christmas which, with an apologetic tone, reminded me that it was only 5 and 1/2 weeks until the beginning of Lent. Easter is almost as early as it can be this year — it can only fall on 22 March before that and that won't happen in our lifetimes (2285 if you really want to know!). An early Easter means an early Lent and the First Sunday, the normal date for the Rite of Election, will be on 10 February. Hence my question. Or at least the origin of my question. What's behind is a question about whether the discernment which is proper before the Rite of Election might say we need a bit longer before we can answer the questions asked of us at the Rite with integrity.
- Have they faithfully listened to God's word proclaimed by the Church?
- Have they responded to that word and begun to walk in God's presence?
- Have they shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer?
Before looking at what the Rite says about being prepared for the Rite of Election and the length of the catechumenate a story.
Last autumn I was in Tours, France and I took the opportunity of visiting the shrine of my patron saint — St Martin. The shrine is a 19th Century basilica and in the crypt is the tomb of St Martin (died 397). Nearby is a museum which tells the history of both the Basilica and of St Martin himself through fragments and art works. One of the most famous incidents in his life happened when he was 17 and a soldier in the Roman army at Amiens. On a cold winter's night he met a beggar and though he had little he shared is cloak with him. That night he had a vision of Christ in the guise of the beggar. He heard Christ say to the surrounding angels:
Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe.
Though I was familiar with the story and some of the many images associated with it I had not come across the last line before and it served as a reminder both that one time to be a Catechumen was a distinct stage in a person's life and that God is working during this period. The Life of St Martin, written quite soon after Martin died, says that he became a Catechumen when he was 10 and shortly after his vision he sought to be baptised at the age of 18.
Looking at the Rite
In the introduction to the Rite of Election it states:
Before the rite of election is celebrated, the catechumens are expected to have undergone a conversion in mind and in action and to have developed a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching as well as a spirit of faith and charity. RCIA 107
And the length of the catechumenate...
The time spent in the catechumenate should be long enough — several years if necessary — for the conversion and faith of the catechumens to become strong. By their formation in the entire Christian life and a sufficiently prolonged probation the catechumens are properly initiated into the mysteries of salvation and the practise of an evangelical way of life. By means of sacred rites celebrated at successive times they are led into the life of faith, worship, and charity belonging to the people of God. RCIA 76
And why not?
The phrase 'several years if necessary' is probably one of those we pass over thinking, if at all, that it applies elsewhere. The challenge is how to faithfully respond the request that the catechumens made at the Rite of Acceptance and to recognise that it takes time.
It is perhaps worth articulating some of the reasons that we find this challenge difficult:
- we see discernment as, at best, a one-way process by the catechumens not as a shared responsibility which is integral to the Rite
- Seeing the process of Initiation as a single timetable for a whole group — for whom is such a timetable designed?
- A year seems a long time to wait for next Easter. Our language can also seem negative: initiation can be delayed or put off.
- All this pre-supposes a team and a process that can cope with people at different stages over the year.
- There is also a need to make clear differences between the different periods particularly in terms of catechesis. The period of purification and enlightenment is not the time for a final catch-up on matters of doctrine but a time of spiritual preparation for Easter.
This would not be the time to suddenly decide that your Catechumens will not be going to the Rite of Election! Nor is it a proposal that, like Martin, the Catechumenate should take 7 years. It is an encouragement to continue to reflect on what the potential of Catechumenate is.
- For further thoughts on these issues see recent postings in Team RCIA
- The 11 March posting will be reflections on celebrating the Rite of Election - contributions welcome.