Q. At my parish we are planning to have a rehearsal for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday morning.
Our master catechist helps with the catechumenate, and she is suggesting that the elect and candidates not be at the rehearsal. She thinks only the sponsors should be there. She mentioned that this way the sponsors are guiding their elect or candidate. Also, rehearsing only the sponsors will take stress away from the elect and candidate.
Is there anything in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults with this perspective? I feel more comfortable with the elect, candidates and sponsors all attending the rehearsal, but I am open to making sure that the Easter Vigil is very special to our elect and candidates.
A. I understand what you mean and the desire to make sure that you and the elect and candidates are comfortable. The last thing we want is for a celebration to fall flat or seem like people don’t know what they are doing! Yet, one of the favorite metaphors for the initiation process among the early church was that of a mother giving birth to a child. The mother, in early church usage, was the surrounding assembly. So we get in a sense that everyone other than those being initiated (or birthed) should attend to the details!
The power of bold symbols
What is important is that the sponsors and godparents attend the rehearsal and be fully comfortable in their role of accompanying those preparing the sacraments. It sounds counterintuitive to not have the elect and candidates present for the rehearsal. However, the Great Vigil is where the symbols are lush and speak boldly, the readings are evocatively proclaimed, and we use natural elements of the world (fire, water, oil, etc) to help us remember that we are in God’s presence.
We want the elect and candidates for focus on these evocative symbols and not worry about where they have to stand and when they have to move. And hopefully you can encourage your presider to be flexible and to be okay with some lightheartedness and joy when human foibles show up.
Here are three blog posts that can be helpful:
- The secret to effective rituals: rehearsal
- 32 best RCIA practices for Easter Vigil
- The Easter Vigil—should you rehearse the catechumens?
- Nick Wagner has written an outline of how to lead rehearsals in his book, The Way of Faith.
We want the elect and candidates for focus on these evocative symbols and not worry about where they have to stand and when they have to move.
When a rehearsal could make sense
The job of the elect and candidates is primarily spiritual preparation so anything you can do to prepare them spiritually, e.g. a retreat, would be paramount. In their spiritual preparation, they can also relay some of their feelings with trusted people. In the past when I have had rehearsal the “morning of” of the Easter Vigil, I had the elect and candidates be “on retreat” while godparents and sponsors and liturgical ministers were in the church rehearsing. Oftentimes this coincided with the Preparation Rites (RCIA 185).
If some of the elect and candidates are still anxious about what to expect, give them the overall flow of the liturgy (Liturgy of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Initiation, Liturgy of the Eucharist), but do not get bogged down on the details. The details of standing, sitting, and blocking are for the sponsors, acolytes, presider, and musicians to worry about. This is where immediate preparation and rehearsals differ. Yes, answer their questions should they arise, but allay their anxiety and encourage them that people will tell them where to go, when to go, and what to do. Oh, it is also good to give practical news, e.g. a change of clothes and what to wear beforehand.
