Q. Do the catechumens have to celebrate the scrutinies before they are baptized? A. Catechumens are required to participate in all three scrutinies, which are central to their spiritual preparation for initiation. Only the bishop may dispense someone from the obligation of celebrating a scrutiny (see RCIA 20). The scrutinies are only for the elect […]
Catechumens and the obligation to celebrate the scrutinies
Q. For children in catechumenate, is it not preferred to have parents present participating with the children and using parish sponsors only when the parents are not able to be present? I am getting a lot of “we always did it that way,” but I want to do things the preferred way. A. Thanks so
Parents should be front and center in children’s faith journey
Q. Can you give me a reference, resource, or rubric where it states sponsors or godparents should never be dismissed with the catechumens? A. The basic teaching of the church is that those who are members of the order of the faithful (all the baptized) have an obligation to pray all the prayers that belong
Q&A: Can sponsors be dismissed?
Q. I am wondering about how to facilitate a first confession experience for the elect. There are no rites that I can find or any materials for planning. How can I make sure our new Catholics experience this healing sacrament? Our elect this year did do a weekly examination of conscience during the scrutinies, but we don’t
When do you celebrate penance with different seekers?
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
Prepare the elect for Easter Vigil…but don’t rehearse them
Q. We have both child and adult catechumens who are asking if they can just be baptized and then continue on with their formation to celebrate confirmation and eucharist when they are ready. Is that possible? A. For both unbaptized adults and children who have reached the age of reason, when they are ready to
Q&A: Can a catechumen be baptized and then wait on confirmation and eucharist?
Q. We have three adults in our formation process. One is from the Baptist tradition and the other two are active Catholic members of our parish who need only confirmation. Because they are all baptized, I understand they do not need the formal catechumenate process nor do they have to wait until the Easter Vigil.
Q&A: How do we help our candidates develop a relationship with Jesus?
1. Wait, there’s a new translation? Almost, but not quite yet. The United States bishops have approved a close-to-final translation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and we are waiting on confirmation from Rome. So it’s not yet finished, but will be soon. 2. How soon? Well, in church years, “soon” could mean
Q. My parish has historically confirmed candidates for confirmation at the Easter Vigil — those who were baptized and uncatechized and those who were in need of confirmation only. We have been told recently to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation with the already-baptized at a time other than the Easter Vigil. So when should they
Q&A: When should we confirm baptized candidates?
Q. I am the director of the catechumenate process in my parish. I was asked by two of my catechumens to be their godmother. While I am so humbled, I am not sure what the proper protocol is. Is it okay for catechumenate directors to be godparents of their catechumens? A. As long as you
Q&A: Can directors of the catechumenate be godparents of their catechumens?
