An alternative Rite of Welcome

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6 thoughts on “An alternative Rite of Welcome”

  1. I really like what I see here.

    When we speak of catechized inquirer are we suggestion to move directly to this rite and have them begin their journey as candidates foregoing any precatechumenate? We have always invited them to come to a few inquiry sessions that would allow them to reflect on their journey and current sece of being called to explore the possibilty of living out their Christian commitment within the Catholic Church. It is also there that we include a tour of the church and respond to any question that would make them more comfortable at liturgy with us.

  2. Hi Bonnie. You’d have to make a pastoral judgment based on each person. For example, a Lutheran, married to a Catholic, who has been participating in Catholic Mass for several years would probably not need inquiry sessions. A Baptist, engaged to a Catholic, who is just now starting to participate in Mass would probably need a couple of introductory sessions. I wouldn’t call it precatechumenate though. Precatechumenate is a period for evangelization. If the inquirer is already evangelized and already catechized, the categories in the RCIA don’t really apply.

  3. This was really good info! Having grown up in the ELCA (lutheran) church, going through first communion as a kid and then two years of confirmation in my teens, I looked into becoming confirmed in the Catholic church about five years ago. I had been attending Mass at a Catholic church (as a part of an instrumental group) for a year or so, and I have an avid, in-depth fascination with theology that goes way back. So, when I was told that I would have to go through RCIA and months and months of twice-weekly classes, etc., I fizzled out on the idea since it involved changing my entire schedule around… plus I was a full time student and worked a full-time job, yadah yadah yadah….

    Also, it felt a little too weird for some reason – they were going to accept me as a candidate vs. a catechumen, but it seemed offensive to my intelligence for some reason – as if my whole church-going childhood was being laughed at or something…. make sense? Seriously, an ELCA Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc. can basically walk into a Catholic Mass and participate without even needing the Missal! For a Baptist, Presbyterian, etc., things are going to be a little more difficult

    Anyway, thanks for the great info – it’s hard to find ‘straight talk’ on the internet, and I think it’s because of a fear of offending lurkers out there, or getting attacked by militant people from other denominations, haha. Now I’m definitely going to make some inquiries locally.

  4. I am in a parish that usually has about 15 RCIA catechumens or candidates. I have found that many of the RCIA folks may have attended Mass for some time but still have lots of questions about our beliefs, history and development. Many time Catholic sponsors say they learned SO much even though they have been Catholic all their lives and attended catholic school or religious education.The community that is built and fostered through weekly catechetical/prayer sessions is very valuable so I always encourage folks to be part of the group as much as possible.

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