RCIA Goal: Teaching verses Initiation- The RCIA initiation process is not about teaching the facts –
It is about becoming part of the community.
Expect something to happen and celebrate it in ritual.
Immerse the children/families in the community -
not teach them about a sacrament.
RCIA adapted for children (sometimes referred to as RCIC or children’s catechumenate) is the process for
Unbaptized Children: Ages 7+ to enter the church and fully initiated (baptism, confirmation and Eucharist).
The process for children typically takes two years. The RCIC classes are held on Sundays and are conducted family style – at least one parent must accompany the child(ren) at the classes.
RCIA consists of
four periods
#1 Precatechumenate,
#2 Period of Catechumenate
#3 Purification and Enlightenment
#4 Mystagogia
#1:PERIOD OF PRECATECHUMENATE
YEAR ONE
Inquiry (
Inquirers)Begin with Inquiry Process
Asking questions about the church, mass, things that they’ve seen people doing, rosary, etc. Can last anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. Inquiry process will include both parents and children. Separate children from parents for questions. Begin to teach the parents how to answer the questions of their children.
YEAR TWO
Rite of Acceptance Who’s ready to move on?
Celebrate the Rite of Acceptance more than once a year. Children will celebrate in the larger community with the adults
Family Interview: A date/time will be set for an Interview with the RCIA Team who will meet with each family individually. Through their discussion during this interview, we will determine if the children/family is ready to take this first public step. Children who show a general lack of interest or enthusiasm, or who have missed a significant number of sessions, will remain in the inquiry stage.
Celebrate Rite of Acceptance: date to be determined
Rite of Acceptance Ceremony Outline
Receiving the Children
Children express their intention
Affirmation by the Parents (Sponsors) and the Assembly
Signing of the Candidates with the cross
Signing of the other senses
Invitation to Celebration of the Word of God
#2: PERIOD OF CATECHUMENATE
YEAR TWO CONTINUED Catechumen Rite of Elect Children preparing for the Rite of Election or their parents need to choose one or two godparents.
Sponsor (parent) is expected to attend the Rite of
Election, and the godparent(s) at the celebration of the sacraments of initatiation at the Easter Vigil.
Rite of Election for children is celebrated at the parish – usually the first weekend after Ash Wednesday
Rite of Election for children will be celebrated during Lent The Diocese provides a separate Rite for the children focused on the children for richer meaning.
Rite of Election: Ceremony Outline celebrated with the Bishop
Presentation of the Catechumens
Affirmation by the parents, godparents and assembly
Invitation and Enrollment of Names
Act of admission or Election
Recognition of the godparents
DISMISSALS When the children enter the Catechumenate, they will begin attending the
9:30 Mass for the Rite of Dismissal and “breaking open” the Word.
The Dismissals for children will begin following the Rite of Acceptance.. The family attends Mass. Children sit with their family and are dismissed after the homily. Parents join children at end of Mass. Weekly Instruction will follow the dismissal.
#3: PERIOD OF PURIFICATION & ENLIGHTENMENT (Lent) YEAR TWO CONTINUED
Elect
What is Lent
Rite of Election
Scrutinizes – taking a hard look at evil and the Church community prays for deliverance and freedom from evil
Nicene Creed
Community/laity
Lord’s Prayer
Meaning of Holy Week
The scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect, to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good.
These penitential rites are major occasions in their catechumenate. They are held within a celebration of the word of God as a kind of scrutiny.
The conditions for their celebration is that the children are approaching the maturity of faith and understanding requisite for baptism.
The children and their godparents participate in the celebration of these penitential rites.
The penitential rites or scrutinies are celebrated the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays during Lent. At least one penitential rite is to be celebrated.
Outline for Scrutiny:
Prayer
Readings
Homily Intercessions
Anointing with the Oil of Catechumens (or Laying on of Hands)
Dismissal of the children
Practice & Eucharist Retreat: To prepare for the Easter Vigil Service, the children and parents will attend a
Family Eucharist Retreat
Practice for the reception of First Communion will be done with the children at the retreat.