Lent comes early in 2008—February 6. That means that you only have a few weeks to decide who among your catechumens will celebrate the rite of election. Unless you have a year-round process, you’ve probably already made the decision. In most parishes, anyone who celebrated the Rite of Acceptance this past fall (or even this […]
Are your catechumens ready for the next stage?
Frank C. Senn writes about the mystagogical process for neophytes in the early church: During the week after Easter Day, the neophytes attended the liturgy daily, wearing their white robes, while the bishops instructed them in the mysteries (sacraments) they had just experienced. The faithful were also permitted to attend these sessions during the “week
How to do Mystagogy with the Neophytes in Easter
During the Triduum, the question arises about when to dismiss the Elect and the catechumens. (If you are engaged in a year-round process, you will likely have both.) If parish leaders understand the liturgical role that the unbaptized have in worship, it will be clear that the Elect and the catechumens are dismissed before the
When Do You Dismiss during Triduum?
Are you getting ready to initiate the Elect in your parish at the Easter Vigil? Make sure they (and you) know what they are signing up for. In his book, The People’s Work, Frank Senn says: The purpose of proclaiming the word and celebrating baptism and the Lord’s Supper is to form a community of
The Elect are about to join the royal priesthood, and it is time to start getting them used to their royal status. Here are nine ways to help the Elect enter more fully into their preparation for baptism and Eucharist. Chauffeur them. At a recent Election Rite, a candidate was late for the liturgy because
9 Ways to Treat the Elect Like Royalty
Have you ever been in love with someone you weren’t supposed to love? Someone your parents or your friends disapproved of? In the first two paragraphs of today’s Gospel, Jesus does some astounding things. He goes to Samaria. He walks up to a well where a woman is drawing water. He sends off his disciples
Reckless Love: A Scrutiny Homily
Okay, that’s a little strong. But if your lenten catechesis for the elect looks a lot like the catechesis that was going on during the period of the catechumenate, something is amiss. What the RCIA says about lenten formation The rite is pretty clear. If you have your RCIA handy (or maybe even if you
I’m writing this on the First Sunday of Lent. Today is typically a hectic day in many catechumenate ministries. The candidates for election are stressed and may show up late for the parish Mass and the Rite of Sending. The catechumenate director or liturgist has a thousand details to attend to. There are friends and
When you are planning for the scrutinies, be sure to move the Elect out into the midst of the assembly. The goal is to strive for both visibility and intimacy. If you only have one candidate for initiation this year, the action of the scrutiny should take place where it is most visible—usually at the
