The Rite of Sending can be a significant step in the journey of catechumens preparing for the Rite of Election. This is an optional rite that appears only in the United States edition of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (starting at OCIA 106). Some parishes in other English-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries have used the U.S. Rite of Sending as a model for celebrating a similar rite in their communities.

In this article, I want to clarify the importance of the Rite of Sending, what it entails, and how to celebrate it effectively, so that it can become a catalyst for deeper conversion in your parish.

Why is the Rite of Sending important?

The Rite of Sending serves as a bridge between the catechumenate journey within the parish and the formal diocesan Rite of Election. In the early days of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in the United States, the Rite of Election was celebrated in parishes, often within the context of Mass. As the celebration shifted to the cathedral, it became a diocesan liturgy, and the Rite of Sending was developed to fill the need for a parish celebration with the soon-to-be-elect.

The Rite of Sending is also an opportunity to recognize God’s work in the lives of the catechumens and to formally declare that they are ready to be presented to the bishop for the Rite of Election.

The Rite of Sending is an opportunity to recognize God’s work in the lives of the catechumens and to formally declare that they are ready to be presented to the bishop for the Rite of Election.

What is the Rite of Sending?

The Rite of Sending is, as mentioned, a parish celebration. It is most often celebrated at a parish Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. In dioceses where the Rite of Election is celebrated on a Saturday (right before the First Sunday of Lent), the rite typically takes place on the Sunday before. The Rite of Sending includes:

• Presentation of the Catechumens: The catechumenate director formally presents the catechumens to the parish community. This presentation is a formal declaration that the parish believes the catechumens are ready to be sent to the bishop. This presentation is a little more formal and solemn than when the catechumens were first presented to the parish as inquirers at the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate. To highlight the difference, you might consider chanting the names of the catechumens as they are presented.
• Affirmation by Godparents: Godparents publicly affirm their catechumens’ readiness for the next step in their journey. Technically, the godparents do not begin their role until the Rite of Election. Nevertheless, they may be invited to offer their testimony about God’s grace in the lives of the catechumens at the Rite of Sending. If the catechumens have sponsors who are different than the godparents, they might be invited to offer testimony as well.
• Affirmation by the Assembly: The parish community affirms the catechumens’ readiness, often through a simple “Yes” or “We do.” However, you might consider inviting members of the assembly to offer spontaneous, extended testimonies.
• Signing of the Book of the Elect: Usually, the catechumens sign the Book of the Elect in the Rite of Sending. However, in a few dioceses, the catechumens sign the Book of Elect at the diocesan Rite of Election. So you need know what the practice is in your community. Note that the signing of the book at the Rite of Sending does not make your catechumens Elect. That won’t happen until the Rite of Election.
• Intercessions and Dismissal: The community prays for the catechumens and then dismisses them, sending them forth to the Rite of Election. These intercessions are not the Prayer of the Faithful. However, for pastoral reasons, you may combine the Prayer of the Faithful with the intercessions for the catechumens and then omit the Prayer of the Faithful from its usual place once the catechumens are dismissed.

How to celebrate the rite of sending for deeper conversion

To celebrate the Rite of Sending effectively, consider these points:

• Prepare the godparents: Ensure godparents understand their role in the rite and encourage them to offer personal testimonies of how they have witnessed God working in their catechumens’ lives. One way to help them do this is to have them use the formula “I have seen God’s grace active in my companion’s life because….”
• Engage the assembly: Invite the assembly to actively participate in the rite by sharing their own witness to the faith of the catechumens. This helps the parish community recognize the work of God in the lives of those preparing for initiation.
• Use music effectively: Incorporate music into the rite to heighten its solemnity and sacredness. As previously mentioned, the presentation of the catechumens and the calling of their names can be chanted. Consider singing an acclamation after the testimonies and the signing of the Book of the Elect.
• Rehearse the rite: Rehearsing the rite helps ensure that everyone involved is comfortable and prepared. This includes the presider, the catechumenate director, the godparents, and the musicians. However, avoid rehearsing the catechumens. In the ideal situation, the catechumen will have enough trust in their godparent to guide them through the rite. Our goal is for the catechumen to enter into the rite in a prayerful, spiritual way without having to worry about the choreography.
• Make it meaningful: Focus on the meaning of the rite, rather than simply going through the motions. If we celebrate the ritual effectively, it will lead to a deeper conversion of the catechumen. And the rite will be memorable. Sometime after the ritual, we can build on those memories by asking the catechumen what they believe God’s spirit was trying to tell them in that memorable moment.

When celebrated effectively, the Rite of Sending becomes a powerful moment of grace and conversion for the catechumens and the entire parish community.

What happens when we celebrate effectively?

When celebrated effectively, the Rite of Sending becomes a powerful moment of grace and conversion for the catechumens and the entire parish community. It reinforces the parish’s commitment to the catechumens’ journey. It allows the parish to participate more fully in this pivotal moment for the catechumens.

When the rite is celebrated effectively, we remember and recognize God’s initiative in the lives of the catechumens. The rite helps the catechumens feel supported by their community. And a well-celebrated Rite of Sending makes the parish community more aware of the work of God in their lives as well.

By embracing the Rite of Sending, catechumenate teams will enhance the faith journey of their catechumens and deepen the spiritual life of their entire parish.