On Sunday 21 February, the first Sunday of Lent in 2021, thirteen Catechumens and five Candidates celebrated the Rite of Election with with their godparents, sponsors and Bishop Shane Mackinlay at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.
Members of families and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) teams were present from the parishes of St Kilian’s Bendigo, St Liborius’ Eaglehawk, St Mary’s Heathcote and St Brendan’s Shepparton.
The RCIA is the process by which adults become members of the Catholic Church. It is a journey of prayer and discernment, of sharing and growing in faith. It’s a journey that requires the support of godparents, sponsors, Parish RCIA teams, and entire parish communities.
Catechumens are adults who prepare to receive the Sacraments of Baptism as well as Confirmation and Eucharist. Candidates, are adults who have already been baptised into another Christian faith community. Candidates prepare to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist in order to be fully welcomed into the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Election marks the beginning of a final more intense period of preparation for the sacraments of initiation; that is, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, which are usually received at Easter in the Candidates’ and Catechumens’ home parish. This year, due to COVID restrictions which delayed the beginning of the RCIA programme, some of parishes will celebrate the reception of Sacraments of Initiation at Pentecost (Sunday 23 May 2021).
There are four stages in the RCIA journey
Stage One: A Period of Inquiry, or Catechumenate
This is a time of evangelisation. Those who wish to know more about the Catholic faith and who are genuinely searching for God are welcomed at informal gatherings where they meet and talk with parishioners, listen to a sharing of experiences of God in their lives, and ask questions in a way that respectfully allows each person the freedom to experience their own spiritual journey without pressure to progress to the next stage of RCIA. There is no fixed duration for this stage.
Stage Two: Period of the Catechumenate
Inquirers who wish to become Catholics are now accepted into the ‘Order of Catechumens’ and a sponsor is chosen to befriend and support them on their journey of faith. This is a time of ongoing conversion and formation in the Christian way of life.
Stage Three: The Period of Purification and Enlightenment
At the Rite of Election, which is usually held on the first Sunday of Lent, sponsors ,or ‘godparents’, affirm the catechumens’ growth in faith. The Bishop, in the name of the Church, elects them to continue towards initiation, usually at Easter. They are known as Elect. This period of Purification and Enlightenment is a time of intense spiritual preparation – a time of prayer, discernment, ‘scrutiny’, and reflection, during which the hearts of the Elect come to know Jesus more fully.
A note about ‘Scrutinies’: These are rites held during Lent for self-searching and repentance. They are not just for the Elect, but for everyone. Scrutinies mark a time to ‘take stock’ and for healing; a time to scrutinize our lives in the light of faith, to become more ‘single hearted’ in the love of Christ.
Stage Four: Mystagogy (or Post-Easter Catechesis)
After initiation, often at the Easter Vigil, time is spent helping the newly Baptized (or those from other Christian faith traditions who have joined the Catholic Church) explore mor fully the meaning of the Sacraments they have received and assisting them to fit into their new life as a Catholic. The parish community continues to support and encourage new members and help them to become more deeply immersed in parish life.
It is important to note that the RCIA is very much a journey of prayerful discernment. There is no pressure for participants to stay on the journey mapped out for them and they are welcome to take more time if they need, without any pressure or sense of obligation.
Resource: Sandhurst Diocese RCIA Forum Leaflets.
Lyn Green, Adult Faith Education Sandhurst.
