Preparing for Life at the Table of the Lord
A Newsletter from the Christian
Initiation Committee
of the Ontario Liturgical Conference
Preparing
for and Celebrating a Rite
As we move closer to the end of the liturgical year many
initiation leaders are focused on preparing to celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens or the Rite of Welcoming
Candidates.
For experienced and new leaders alike, the best place to
turn when preparing to celebrate a rite is the blue ritual book, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
We recall that unbaptized inquirers (7 years of age and
older) celebrate the Rite of Acceptance
and baptized candidates (7 years of age and older) seeking reception into Full
Communion celebrate the Rite of Welcoming
Candidates. The two rites are never celebrated at the same liturgy. (par.
457 & 466). The baptismal dignity of the candidates is to be respected.
There is never a reason to schedule the two rites during
the same liturgy. In a parish that gathers only once for Sunday Mass it may be
necessary to schedule the rites over two weeks. In other parishes it will be
possible to schedule the two rites at two different liturgies.
Readiness
to Celebrate
Before discerning if an inquirer is ready to celebrate the
first public rite it is wise to review par. 42 & 458. The Church is looking for signs of first
faith, initial conversion and a start to the practice of calling upon God in
prayer, a sense of the Church and some experience of sharing in the life of the
community. This is the formal beginning
of the initiation journey. Those ready
to celebrate this first rite will have begun to develop the habit of weekly
participation in Sunday Mass.
Celebrating
in the Midst of the Community
The rites are celebrated during Sunday liturgy. For the
unbaptized the rite begins outside the worship space or in the narthex and for
the baptized the rite begins in the midst of the assembly. For both rites the Penitential Rite and
Gloria are omitted. (See pages 20 & 270 in the ritual book.)
Preparing musicians, lectors and ministers of hospitality
will foster a more vibrant celebration. Including sung acclamations invites the
entire assembly into prayer. It is
important to use a microphone so the responses of those seeking initiation can
be heard. Preparing sponsors in advance so they are able to guide the inquirers
means the dignity and power of the rite is strengthened.
Breaking
Open God’s Word
Each Sunday from the day the rite is celebrated until full
initiation, after the homily the catechumens and candidates will be sent to reflect
and feast on God’s Word (par. 67 & 485).
The Ontario
Liturgical Conference is a consultative body to the Assembly of Catholic
Bishops of Ontario in liturgical matters. The Christian Initiation Committee
supports the OLC in matters pertaining to the implementation of the Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults and other issues of Christian Initiation in
Ontario, Canada. One of the primary goals of the Christian Initiation Committee
is to promote the vision of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as
it applies to adults, children of catechetical age and those baptized in
infancy. To be added to the email list please contact olcrcia@gmail.com
