http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/catholic_church/media_centre/press_releases/press_releases_2010/rite_of_election_weekend_of_joy_for_the_catholic_community

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.   

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 2^nd 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.

'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.

Whereas we normally have three or four  adults, plus a few children for RCIA and CICCA (Catholic  Initiation of Children of Catechetical Age) in our city parish here in the West country,  this year we have twenty-five  adults and children coming  forward to be baptised and received at Easter, including seven  adult baptisms and six adult receptions. This has brought its own logistical problems in our small church, one of three, which make up our small parish, where the total combined Mass attendance across three parishes, numbers no more than three hundred.

Although we had described the Rites briefly to the members of the RCIA group, - the danger of revealing too much could detract from the actual impact of the experience on the day, there was much excitement on the day of the event. The group had had two questions to consider "What do you ask of the Church and why?" Each had agreed to give an individual, personal answer. Responses were written at a previous RCIA session, to act as an aide-memoir in case adults and children were nervous on the day.

When this was tried last year, as a result of a  suggestion made by the parish priest, but  greeted with a little scepticism by hard bitten catechists,  the catechists  had been surprised that the adults had agreed to it and secondly,  how deeply it had prompted the group  to think  about their responses. The third surprise was the witness that it gave and the impact it had had on the parish communities, who had strained to listen to every word of the moving answers. There was even a tear or two. This year a microphone was used!

On Saturday morning, the phone lines were busy, as catechists phoned and checked that people were OK and knew what they were doing, reassured those who were nervous, listened to question responses that had been changed, reminded people to arrive early. Both individuals and families shared how nervous and excited they felt.  Some parents were busy listening to their children’s answers. Some could not but help mention at work, what was going to take place at the weekend.  Some had spoken to others in the group and compared notes. Some shared how this had made them think very seriously about the step they were taking.  It seemed the very act of preparing for the rites had brought the whole group together.

Even our parish priest, who enjoys celebrating these beautiful rites - he himself came into the church through the RCIA process – was becoming a little apprehensive, less he fail to remember which part of the rite applied to each adult and child. There was a master spreadsheet which showed all the permutations, which became translated into colour coded cards with names. The complication came when families had members who were to be received and baptised and where parents had to speak not only on their own behalf, but on behalf of younger children not old enough to be part of CICCA.

One of our parishioners, who normally directs the traffic in our local, large ferry terminal to make sure that all the lorries and cars are correctly loaded onto the ferries, made short work of organising the movement of prospective candidates and catechumens, adults, children  and babies, sponsors, catechists etc.,  as they were greeted at the door at the back of the church at the beginning of Mass  and then moved  around  our tiny church, so there was room for catechists and sponsors to continue with the signing after the priest etc., and  the rite could be celebrated in a dignified manner.

After the homily, gospels were presented to each person. The Mass was a long one, but no one seemed to mind, as the excitement felt by the RCIA and CICCA groups was communicated to parishioners and reminded those who had been received in previous years of their own experience.

When entered into enthusiastically, these rites  provide a profound experience for those standing at the threshold of their new Christian journey or encouragement for those already on their  journey, they mark the next step, they give visible witness to the building of community and give heart to all of us who are on the self same journey.

It was clear from the conversation that there were some mental health issues but, sensing some deep spiritual disturbance, I continued with gentle questioning which brought out the fact that the person had been heavily involved in tarot reading and that many aspects of their life was now controlled by the cards.  They were convinced of the presence of an evil spirit and terrified that, if they got rid of the cards, it would harm them and members of their family. We got as far as putting the cards out of easy reach and I am hoping that we will get as far as the cards being given to me or to someone else who can destroy them on the person’s behalf… it would take a long time for them to be able to do this for themselves.

But the thought lingered – and so I thought this opportunity to prompt discussion could be helpful not just to me but to others who might be walking alongside someone who has had a similar experience.

If the person is not baptised, there are, of course, the minor exorcisms where there is provision made for a prayer asking that, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit,  God will remove “the worship of false gods and magic, witchcraft and dealings with the dead” (Prayer B, p42 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). But how often is this part of the prayer used? Is there a temptation to avoid saying the words out loud? Are we inclined to see such a prayer as appropriate in mission territories – or perhaps in Pentecostal churches – but less necessary for us? And yet, tarot – astrology – wicca – mediums – and more – are increasingly prevalent in the UK and many who are searching for “the spiritual” will often have tried some of them on their way to Christianity. Some may have emerged apparently unscathed. Others, such as the person with whom I was speaking, may be very seriously affected both mentally and spiritually and in need of medical intervention but also deep spiritual healing.

People who are baptised may also have been attracted to similar practices. The Rite does suggest that some of the rites belonging to the catechumenate could be used in the preparation of the candidates preparing for full communion. We often use the presentations of the Creed, Lord’s Prayer and Gospels and a penitential rite – but would we consider bringing in the minor exorcisms – and how would we do it? Obviously, there will be occasions when this is best done in private – and some people may need a fairly lengthy process of coming to trust that they have been set free of what was holding them bound with several rites along the way. (Discernment would be needed by catechists, sponsors and clergy as to how this might work bearing in mind the individual’s vulnerability). But might there be a place for the minor exorcisms to take place within a meeting – or during a service in the church? Does anyone have experience of doing this – and how did it work?

The person I was speaking to has a long journey ahead and its outcome is far from clear.

The prayer has to be that whatever brought them to take the step of getting in touch will give them the strength to continue the journey to healing… that they will continue to search for the truth – the real truth that will set them – and keep them – free.

It is as though Jesus realised that the sign he was waiting for might not be the mighty voice of his Father, but the quiet voice of his mother speaking out a human need. And so his ministry begins, life-giving miracles and meals with friends, transfiguration on the mountaintop and stories of lost coins. This is a man who will know if a sick woman touches his cloak to find healing, who will find faith in unexpected places and change his attitude, who will fight against ordinary, unthinking human injustice. Heaven may well open, with angels ascending and descending, but in the meantime Jesus goes among people who are in need. Nothing is too small or too great for the One who has put death beneath his feet, the second person of the Trinity.

Following Jesus, trying to be like him, is something which comes gradually. I've written elsewhere about how I fell into the Church through the liturgy and the music, a route I wouldn't change. But it meant that Jesus himself became for me a public figure glimpsed through the liturgy, whether as one of the 'presences of Christ' or a the star of the Gospels. In catechesis, he wears many hats: Son of God, Son of Man, Saviour, Emmanuel, Head of the Body which is the Church. To meet Jesus for the first time as someone who responds to the people he meets every day is something altogether different. Jesus challenged by his mother, Jesus, compassionate, Jesus, quick on the uptake, Jesus, powerful. All these hats, these titles are for something, and that something is us, his people. And not when the hour comes, but now, in our need.

What does this morning's Gospel mean for us today? Maybe, if we are following Jesus Christ and trying to be like he is, just maybe it's a reminder that the right time for compassionate action is not later on, as a New Year's resolution, or during Lent, or when we think we're ready, but now, now, now.

Listen: whose voices do you hear?

I have often wondered what it would be like to be baptized into the Church as an adult rather than as a baby. I have never regretted the fact that my parents and extended family following the long tradition of our Church had me baptized within weeks of being born. I have been fortunate indeed that my understanding of what it means to be baptized has grown and developed over the years. I now know, in a way that I never understood for many years, that I am continually called upon to be baptized rather than simply be a card holding member of the Church.

I was recently asked to officiate at the baptism of a family friend’s child. I was told that they wanted the baptism done by someone they knew and would like to have it done privately. I agreed, provided that they approached the parish priest, also a friend of mine, and got permission. After a little discussion it was agreed that baptisms really aren’t ‘private affairs’. In fact there were six baptisms that day. The service and the community gathered together proved very powerful indeed. I took the opportunity to point out that where the Church was concerned the most important thing the parents could do for their children was to love one another. And if they do that they would do something that no school, college or university could ever do. They would teach them the importance of fidelity, of learning to trust, of kindness, of the importance of forgiveness and generosity. In formal religious terms they would give them the gifts of faith, hope and charity.  I also pointed out that if we had the eyes to see and the ears to hear then we would ‘see the heavens open, and see the Holy Spirit descend upon each one of the children and hear the voice from heaven say to each one “You are my daughter/son, beloved, my favour rests on you.”

It is easy to say these words it is another thing to allow them to shape your life.  In the case of Jesus of Nazareth when he emerged from the baptism of John he began his public ministry how much more so when we emerge from the waters blessed by the fire of the Holy Spirit are we called to live in a more radical way. As I said at the beginning of this reflection it has taken me quite a number of years to come to some understanding of what it means to be baptized and to try to live as a baptized person.

To be baptized either as a adult or as a young person of suitable age certainly offers richer possibilities than being baptized as a child. As the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults reminds us – ‘The Adult is the Norm’. While the ‘normal’ is the child – the ‘Norm’ is the adult. I love the moment when the adult is baptized – it is a definitely a threshold moment. It both confirms and deepens the faith already present in the life of the person. It is obvious that the person being baptized is not just becoming a member of a club but entering a living community of faith. I love the ceremony of clothing the adult with a white garment as a sign of that new life. Each year in the parishes in which I served, to welcome the Elect, the custom grew that all who attended the Easter Vigil would consciously wear something white to indicate putting on Christ. Those who had previously being received into the Church came wearing the white garment that had been out over their shoulders during their reception.

While ‘at prayer’ in Luke’s Gospel Jesus reveals to us something of the mystery of the Trinity and offers a profound reminder that we are all baptized into the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

• Take time this week and over the coming weeks to reflect on the challenge to live as one baptized into the love of God.
• Reflect on what it is to be plunged into the waters of life rather than standing on the shore and dipping one’s toes into the shallows.
• Ponder on the difference between  saying prayers and being ‘at prayer’

Is RCIA about helping people to become Catholics or Christians? The short answer to this question is, of course, ‘both’. Most  people who embark on an RCIA programme want to explore the possibility of being received into the Catholic Church. But RCIA is more than just instruction in what the Catholic Church teaches, important though that is. It is where a group of people at various stages on their faith journey share their experiences and deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ together. The Magi were neither Jews, Catholics nor Baptists but I imagine them as deeply spiritual people who, in the words of the catechism, had come to ‘seek God with a sincere heart’.

Some years ago our RCIA group was joined by a lady who was a Baptist minister. She wasn’t considering becoming a Catholic herself but she came to bring a friend. Her friend had been baptised a Catholic but had never been confirmed. The Baptist minister wanted to help her friend to grow in faith in the living reality of Jesus Christ in her life and she thought the best way to do this was to bring her along to RCIA. We enjoyed having our Baptist friend with us each week. She shared her spiritual experience with us and enjoyed sharing ours. She came along to the Easter Vigil to see her friend being confirmed.  RCIA is not, of course, primarily preparation of baptised Catholics for Confirmation, but, in this case, it was very appropriate.

I often wonder how we would feel if someone were to come to RCIA and, after getting a great deal out of it and growing in personal faith, were to decide to become a Methodist. The Holy Spirit can surprise us but it’s exciting to see him at work.

What many non-Catholic Christians respect about the Catholic Church is its spirituality - the distillation of 2000 years of reflection and spiritual experience. What we do in RCIA is to share what we have with each other as well as with our enquirers and catechumens. Not all of Our Lord’s disciples are Catholics by any means.  If we share our spirituality, our personal relationship with God, rather than focus on just recruiting more Catholics, we shall help to build up the Church in a way that will stand the test of time.  Many of the enquirers probably would want to be received into the Catholic Church – because they were hungry for more of spirituality which it offers. And those who do not become Catholics may well go on to build the Kingdom of Heaven in some other way that we would wish to support.

Ecumenism has come a long way since the 1960s.  Back then it sometimes seemed that ‘Christian Unity’ could be a case of fudging differences in doctrine. Some cynics would say being united by not being sure what you believed. It soon became accepted that the way to be an ecumenical Catholic was to understand our own tradition better so that we were more able to share what we have with others of different traditions and discover the reality of our shared spirituality. Discussion of doctrinal differences is a job for theological experts and church leaders. Meanwhile there is plenty for the rest of us to get on with at grass-roots level.

John Ortberg wrote a challenging book called ‘if you want to walk on water you’ve got to get out of the boat’. Going into the world and making disciples does call for water-walking. The lives of many Saints, and of Christians in general, shows that it is amazing what people can do when they keep their eyes on Jesus rather than on the stormy waters around them.

But I’d like to focus on the importance of having a good strong boat to get back into when our attempts at water walking don’t quite come off.  A boat where we can dry our clothes, get some encouragement from our friends, and, when necessary, learn some useful theory.

I chose to become a Catholic because it offered me a safe boat from which I could gingerly try a bit of water-walking. Non-catholic Christians who I meet whilst water-walking come from different boats yet they have been enticed out of them by the same Lord and they walk on the same water. We don’t always understand each other but what unites us is the common spirituality which lies beneath what we say.

Now we see through a mirror darkly but one day we may compare notes with the Magi.

Rite

The complete text of the Rite is not available on the web. There are two reasons for this. The first is copyright. The second is about technology - one of the effects of the internet is that we expect everything to be available but to be available someone has to put it there. RCIA predates the common use of computers - there is no handy electronic text of the rite. So it would first need to be typed up.

All the introductions of the Rite are available on the Liturgy Office website. There is a project to include the Introductions to all the rites on the website. Even if you do not have a copy of the book you can be familiar with the Introduction. The Introductions to the revised Rites provide the theological underpinning, practical guidance and areas for adaptation.

Scripture

The Jerusalem Bible is again not available on the web for similar reasons to the Rite I expect. The New Jerusalem Bible can be found at Catholic Online. This is not a site I have explored that much- the Bible seems well done. There seem to be quite a few 'pop-ups'. I am not sure how much is based on American Catholic Culture but I did discover that A & E stood for Arts and Entertainment rather than emergency prayers!

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) will be the core text of a new published version of the Lectionary. The Oremus Bible Browser provides excellent online access. For example, you can, at the click of button, show the text with verse numbers or not - which makes it great for copying.

For some guidance about copyright and how much you can use at one time without need to seek permission see the Liturgy Office website.

One of the great, unsung, ecumenical advances of the last 10 years has been the adoption by many non-Catholic Churches of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). This is based on our Roman (or Common) Lectionary. Though the 'revised' parts means that it does use some different principles for choosing readings for the majority of readings on the majority of Sundays we are sharing in a communion of the Word. One of the consequences of this is that there is a wealth of resources on the web based on the RCL. To give just one example the Revised Common Lectionary website has not just the texts but images as well.

Two other Lectionary resources that may be useful for those who have people for whom English is not their first language. The Vienna International Religious Centre provides the readings in a variety of European languages including eastern European. The English text appears to use the Jerusalem Bible (unacknowledged). The Department of Tourism of the Spanish Bishops' Conference offers a similar service. I am uncertain what English version is used (it's not JB, NJB, RSV, NRSV or NAB).

Images

Images can be subject to copyright in the same way as text and music. It is easy to find images which are either copyright-free or where the owner gives permission for their use. Key to finding such images are Creative Commons. This is a system which allows people to show if their work can be used by others. The owner can distinguish whether or not the work should attributed to the author, that the use should be non-commercial, whether changes can be made and finally if the user should make their own work available in the same way as the original. The image at the beginning of this paragraph has a license that states that I can freely use the work and even change it if I wish but I have to attribute to the photographer. If you hover your cursor over the image you should see the title and photographer.

Creative Commons has its own search site which allows you to find images, text, video and music. It does this by using search engines such as google and checking whether what you are looking for they have a CC license. My two favourite sources for images are Fickr and Wikimedia Commons. Flickr is a photosharing site and is great for finding images that can spark the imagination. Wikimedia is better for finding classic art.

Happy searching!

Why not add good resources you have come across in the comments.