Let's Help New Members Of The Church Feel More Comfortable
In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Catechumenate has the same purpose as the Liturgy of the Word – to help new members grow as Christ’s disciples and eventually to lead them to full participation in the Church’s worship. However, the Catechumenate allows new members an opportunity to take a more in-depth look at the Sunday Gospel all of us are called to live.
During this stage, the RCIA ritual states that “celebrations of the Word of God are foremost” (paragraph 79). Like us, our new members are to grow in the love of Scripture. These celebrations of God’s word are to be in sync with the liturgical season (paragraph 81). Three basic types of celebrations are to be held: 1) celebrations specifically for the catechumens; 2) participation in the liturgy of the word at the Sunday Mass; and 3) celebrations held in connection with instruction (cf. paragraph 81) so that these occur in a context of prayer (cf. paragraph 84).
We celebrate God’s Word with our catechumens to 1) implant in their hearts Christian teachings, (e.g. New Testament morality, forgiveness of injuries and insults, a sense of sin and repentance, the duties Christians must carry out in the world); 2) give them instruction and experience in the difference aspects and ways of prayer; 3) explain to them the signs, celebrations, and seasons of the liturgy; and 4) prepare them gradually to enter the worship assembly of the entire community (cf. paragraph 82). The similarities between the Liturgy of the Word and the Catechumenate are obvious.
The RCIA ritual is very specific about one item that is rarely observed in our parishes because we believe our Inquirers and Catechumens should attend Sunday Mass as soon as they ring the parish doorbell. Paragraph 83.2 states “Gradually the catechumens should be admitted to the first part of the celebration of the Sunday Mass.” Another custom, which has not caught on in our parishes, is that, “After the liturgy of the word they should, if possible, be dismissed, but an intention for them is included in the general intercession...” (Paragraph 83.2).
Why would the Rite instruct that our catechumens/candidates be admitted “gradually” to the first part of the celebration of the Sunday Mass? This guideline challenges those working with the RCIA to rethink what we do. The RCIA is about conversion – not only for new members, but also for the Church, particularly in how we initiate new members into the Church. We are asked to rethink former ways of doing things. One reason for “gradually” leading them into the Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass is that our Catholic worship is highly ritualistic. We want our new members to feel comfortable when they do join us occasionally. How often do new members ask during their sessions “Can I genuflect when I come into church?” “Can I kneel?” Their awkwardness and unease are evident!
During our sessions with catechumens/candidates that include celebrations of God’s Word, we can introduce various prayers used at Mass to help them begin to feel more comfortable. Such prayers would be “the sign of the cross” and what it means (this would be very appropriate since it’s presumed they have been signed with the cross in the Rite of Acceptance), the opening greeting, the Penitential Rite, the Gloria, responses to the scriptures, and a sung Alleluia.
Incorporate symbols such as incense into our prayer; the extending of our hands upwards during the Lord’s Prayer; and other Catholic symbols like the triple signing of the cross before the Gospel. Don’t talk about it; show them how to do it and explain the meaning of it!
Let’s put ourselves into their shoes and wonder what it would feel like not understanding what’s happening. Some might argue that they learn by being present. That’s a valid argument; but I would rather listen to the wisdom of the RCIA, the Church’s official ritual, even with its many challenges to rethink our initiation process. There’s much to learn yet!
