Florida Catholic | Christian Initiation: Who & Why

Christian Initiation: Who participates and why?

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 02.15.08

A catechumen signs her name in the Book of the Elect during the Diocese of Orlando’s Rite of Election Feb. 10.
VALETA ORLANDO | FC

ORLANDO | Catechumens, candidates, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the rite of election are terms heard a lot in Catholic circles at this time of year. Although many Catholics have a general understanding that those words refer to people and the process of becoming members of the Catholic Church, not everyone knows what they really mean.

“Catechumen” is first mentioned in St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, 6:6, “One who is being instructed in the word.” The church continues to use the term to designate those who have not been baptized, but who have experienced the desire and made the commitment to be instructed in the faith.

Cheryl Drohan, a catechumen at Most Precious Blood Parish in Oviedo, expressed it this way in sharing her faith journey, “I had no formal religious practice. When I married my husband, a Catholic, we decided we would practice the Catholic faith. I went to Mass, but I didn’t know the prayers or traditions and I couldn’t go to Communion.

“I felt like an outsider and it grew that I wanted to be a part of it. I remember seeing catechumens come forward at Mass, but it terrified me. I wanted to belong and understand, but I was afraid. My husband and his family were supportive but didn’t push. Finally, I said, I’ve got to find out more about it. I looked down and there was Donna’s (Scimeca, initiation coordinator) phone number,” Drohan said.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the liturgical book containing the norms and rituals of the Catholic Church for people who wish to become Christians in the Catholic Church. Many laypeople commonly refer to the initiation process as RCIA.

The word “candidate” designates those individuals who have been baptized Catholic or in another Christian community, but have not yet received formation in the church. Candidates journey along with catechumens in instruction in the faith, but participate in different rites, which acknowledge their baptism.

The Acts of the Apostles 2:36-41 is the earliest record of the process of reception into the newly forming church. “Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The remainder of the passage makes it clear that once baptized, individuals received further instruction and entered into the life of the community and church.

Drohan continued, “This has been a journey just to come to RCIA. In my heart, it just feels right. I was so afraid, but I now see there’s no reason. It’s all based on love and I’ll soon be more a part of the wider community. I’m excited about it.”

The process changed multiple times throughout the centuries, but on Jan. 6, 1972, the Office of the Congregation for Divine Worship, with the approval of Pope Paul VI decreed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and restored the catechumenate. The process now has four formal stages punctuated by liturgical rites.

The Rite of Election or “enrollment of names” is a particularly poignant ceremony. It is generally celebrated by bishops on the first Sunday of Lent. Accompanied by catechists and sponsors, catechumens from throughout their diocese, who have vouched they are indeed fully instructed in the faith and are ready and willing to be initiated, sign their names. Once they sign their names in the Book of the Elect, the bishop declares them “members of the Elect” to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the Easter vigil.

Thu Nguyen, a parishioner at Ascension Parish in Melbourne, recalled her nervousness last year as she approached the altar to sign her name in the Book of the Elect. Nguyen said it was a day she will never forget. After signing her name, she said, “I was so very happy.”

Donna Scimeca, initiation coordinator at Most Precious Blood Parish, said, “People come to us seeking the truth, wanting to know more about our Catholic faith. Through all of that, we the team, the entire community — we grow. We learn more because for us too it’s lifelong faith formation.”

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