reception of baptized christians · other christians become catholic, p. 80) combined rites...

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Reception of Baptized ChristiansRITE OF RECEPTION INTO THE FULL COMMUNION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

RITE OF RECEPTION INTO THE FULL COMMUNION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Outline for Today’s WebinarI. Background

II. Where We Are Now

III. What the Rite Actually Says

IV. Recommendations

I. BackgroundWHAT IS THE RITE OF RECEPTION?

Background

• New Ritual created• April 1968

• Unity of Christians

Early Church• Not “re-baptize” person from heretical group• Some places: Laying on of Hands for receiving heretics• Or:o Renunciation

of heresieso Profession of faitho Lay handso Anoint w chrism

Different for Heresy, Apostasy, Schism

Middle Ages“Throughout the Middle Ages, liturgical books developed a rite for those being received from heresies, and the distinction betweenheretics and apostates was lost. For the first time in history, returning heretics were reconciled, not received.”

= committed sin by being baptized - even in infancyP. Turner, When Other Christians Become Catholic, p 37

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After 16th century Reformation

• Catholic Church regarded Protestants as heretics

• Abjuration of heresy

• Conditional baptism

20th century USA• Conditional Baptism Common

Vatican Council II Ecumenism“This sacred Council has several aims in view: 1. it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to

the Christian life of the faithful; 2. to adapt more suitably to the needs of our

own times those institutions which are subject to change;

3. to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ;

4. to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church.”

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963) n. 1

Vatican Council II Ecumenism“This sacred Council has several aims in view: 1. it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to

the Christian life of the faithful; 2. to adapt more suitably to the needs of our

own times those institutions which are subject to change;

3. to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ;

4. to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church.”


Vatican Council II on Liturgy“A new rite is to be drawn up

for converts who have already been validly baptized;

it should indicate that they are now admitted

to communion with the Church.”


Unity of Christians• Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) 1964

“Those who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. …

“[A]ll who have been justified by faith in baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as sisters and brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church.” (n. 3)

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Unity of Christians

• Concern:

• Dignity of Christian baptism

compromised

• Anne Koester, “The Reception of Baptized Christians: A Short Course in Vatican II Ecclesiology and Ecumenism,” Worship 75 (March 2001) 130-149

II. Where We Are NowVATICAN COUNCIL II TO NOW

Where We Are Now• Misunderstanding • Rite of Reception into Full Communion

◦ is its own ritual ◦ but now in USA is part of “RCIA” ◦ (in book and in practice)

◦ reception at Easter Vigil◦ along with catechumens◦ lengthy preparation ◦ stages marked by ritual steps

?Where We Are Now• Rite of Reception was included

in the R.C.I.A. editio typica• as an appendix

• Latin 1972

• English 1974

◦ Provisional Text

Where We Are Now• R.C.I.A. revised 1980s• New Translation for USA• 1988

Where We Are Now• 1988 version of R.C.I.A. book (USA)

• includes Reception as part of RCIA◦ Part II “Rites for Particular

Circumstances”

◦ Chapter 5◦ “Reception of Baptized Christians

into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church”

• Now Rite of Reception has RCIA paragraph numbers • (!!!)

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Where We Are Now• 1988 version of R.C.I.A. book (USA)

• In addition to Part II, Chapter 5

• Rite of Reception also appears (adapted) in a “Combined Rite”

• In Appendix I

• “Celebration at the Easter Vigil of the Sacraments of Initiation and of the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church”

Combined Rites 1988 Appendix I1. Celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of

Catechumens and of the Rite of Welcoming Baptized but Previously Uncatechized Adults Who Are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church

2. Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop [Optional]

3. Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and of the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates Who Are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church

4. Celebration at the Easter Vigil of the Sacraments of Initiation and of the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church

Combined Rites• Rome at first denied permission for

◦ Reception into Full Communion ◦ with Sacraments of Initiation ◦ at Easter Vigil

• Why?

Combined Rites◦ Ecumenical concerns • Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity

“The insertion of this rite into the Easter Vigil

gives such importance to the eventthat it may cause surprise

and even painto our fellow Christians

and give rise to new difficulties.”

Combined Rites◦ Liturgical concerns• Congregation for Divine Worship

1. Did not want to introduce new elementsinto the rite of baptism and confirmation

(Letter of CDW to NCCB, 1986, cited in Turner, When Other Christians Become Catholic, p. 80)


2. concerned about clearly preserving the distinctionbetween catechumens and the baptized


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3. Rite of Reception has its own liturgy:

◦ Mass for Christian Unity may be used◦ Nicene Creed is recited◦ rite of admission immediately follows

homily

◦ None of this is part of the Easter Vigil


Combined Rites• Concerns

• Ecumenical

• Dignity of baptism

• Distinction between catechumens and baptized Christians

Where We Are Now• For many parishes, a

catechumenate comprised mainly of baptized candidates?

• More candidates for full communion than catechumens?

Where We Are Now• School year classes

• Both catechumens & candidates

• Same preparation• Ritual steps for all

• Combined rites

• Initiation + Reception at Vigil

III. What the Rite Actually SaysPRINCIPLES RITUAL PREPARATION

3 Principles 1. BAPTISM

2. ECUMENISM

3. NOT CATECHUMENS

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1. “No Greater Burden”

“no greater burden than necessary is required for the establishment

of communion and unity” (RCIA 473)

◦ Acts 15:28 “Council of Jerusalem”“‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, …’”

1. “No Greater Burden”

• Recognize their baptism

• Dignity of baptism

• Already Christians

Already Christian BelieversRite “should ordinarily take place

at the Sunday Eucharist of the parish community,in such a way that it is understood

that they are indeed Christian believers who have already shared

in the sacramental life of the Church and are now welcomed

into the Catholic eucharistic community upon their profession of faith...”

(US National Statutes 32, emphasis added)

2. Avoid “Triumphalism”

“Any appearance of triumphalism should be carefully avoided.”

(RCIA 475.2)

?

Avoid “Triumphalism”

•

2. Avoid “Triumphalism”

“Any appearance of triumphalism should be carefully avoided.”

(RCIA 475.2)◦ Ecumenical implications

◦ “often it will be preferable to celebrate the Mass with only a few relatives and friends.”

◦ “the person to be received into full communion should be consulted about the form of reception.”

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3. Distinction – Not catechumens

“Anythingthat would equate

the candidates for reception with those who are catechumens

is to be absolutely avoided.”

(RCIA 477, [RFC 5])

Ritual CelebrationMASS ONE CANDIDATE WHEN READY

No longer1. No abjuration of heresy required (RCIA 479, RFC 6)

◦ Not reject past practice or beliefs

2. No routine conditional baptism

◦ Baptism cannot be repeated

◦ Rare, private

◦ permitted only “after serious investigation”(RCIA 480, RFC 7)

Eastern Rite Christians

• RCIA 474

• “no liturgical rite required”

• “simply a profession of

Catholic faith”

Rite of Reception

into the Full

Communion of the

Catholic Church

1968

Liturgy of the Word

Celebration of Reception ◦ Profession of faith

◦ Nicene Creed with assembly◦ Profess Catholic beliefs

◦ Act of Reception◦ Confirmation ◦ Celebrant’s Sign of Welcome◦ Intercessions◦ Sign of Peace

Liturgy of the Eucharist ◦ new member receives

Communion with assembly

Rite of Reception

“The Rite should …

have as its high point

eucharistic communion.”

(RCIA 475.1)

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For one person• Rite of Reception presumes one person

• All the rubrics and pronouns are singular◦ “the candidate” (490)

◦ “the one to be received” (491)

◦ “the person being received” (493)

◦ “the one received into full communion” (496)

• Received when each is ready

When to Celebrate Reception?◦ Rite of Reception calls for

celebration within Mass, if possible

◦ Only “for a serious reason” in Liturgy of word (499)

◦ No specific day or season is mentioned

◦ Makes no reference to the Easter Vigil

(RCIA 475.1)

When to Celebrate Reception?• Mass - High point is communion

◦ If Sunday or solemnity, use Mass of the day

◦ If another day, may use Mass for Unity of Christians (487)

• Readings (RCIA 488)

◦ for the day ◦ or for Rite of Reception ◦ or Mass for Unity of Christians

When to Celebrate Reception?

• “often it will be preferable to celebrate the Mass with only a few relatives and friends.”

• “the person to be received into full communion should be consulted about the form of reception.”

(RCIA 475.2)

Invitation“N., of your own free willyou have asked to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

“You have made your decision after careful thought under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“I now invite you, in the presence of this community,to profess the Catholic faith.

“In this faith you will be one with us for the first time at the eucharistic table of the Lord Jesus,the sign of the Church’s unity.” (RCIA 490)





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Profession of Faith• Nicene Creed• “Joins the community” • Union, before reception

• Creed = baptism questions• Affirm common baptism

• “always said at this Mass”(RCIA 491)

Profession of Faith• Nicene Creed + this statement

“I believe and professall that the holy Catholic Churchbelieves, teaches, and proclaims

to be revealed by God.”

(RCIA 491)

Act of Reception“The Lord receives you

into the Catholic Church.His loving kindness has led you here,so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit

you may have full communion with usin the faith that you have professed

in the presence of his family.”

(RCIA 492)

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Reception

Reception

• Profession of Faith

• what makes a baptized Christian

a Catholic

Confirmation

• Gift of Holy Spirit

• Builds on baptism

Celebrant’s Sign of Welcome495 “The celebrant then takes the hands of the newly received person into his own as a sign of friendship and acceptance.

“With the permission of the Ordinary, another suitable gesture may be substituted ….”

General Intercessions“Brothers and sisters,our brother/sister andhas already been united to Christ through baptism,and now, with thanksgiving to God,we have received him/herinto the full communion of the Catholic Church and confirmed him/herwith the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“Soon he/she will share with us at the table of the Lord.

“As we rejoice,let us join with him/her in asking for the grace and mercy of our Savior.” (RCIA 496)

General Intercessions• “For all who believe in Christ

and for the Communities to which they belong, that we may come to perfect unity, we pray to the Lord.

• “For the Church [Communion] in which N. was baptized and received his/her formation as a Christian, that it may continue to proclaim Christ and serve God’s people, we pray to the Lord.”

Sign of Peace

• “The sponsor and the entire assembly, if not too numerous, may greet the newly received person in a friendly manner.

• “In this case the sign of peace before communion is omitted.”

(RCIA 497)

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

• New member receives communion with the assembly Preparation

DOCTRINAL

SPIRITUAL

Preparation for Full Communion“The baptized Christian is to receive both doctrinal and spiritual preparation, adapted to individual pastoral requirements for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.“The candidate should learn to deepen an inner adherence to the Church, where he or she will find the fullness of his or her baptism.“During the period of preparation the candidate may share in worship in conformity with the provisions of the Ecumenical Directory.”

(RCIA 477)

Preparation for Full Communion“The baptized Christian is to receive both doctrinal and spiritual preparation, adapted to individual pastoral requirements for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.The candidate should learn to deepen an inner adherence to the Church, where he or she will find the fullness of his or her baptism.During the period of preparation the candidate may share in worship in conformity with the provisions of the Ecumenical Directory.”

(RCIA 477)


(RCIA 477)


(RCIA 477)

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(RCIA 477)

Not dismissed with catechumens

Preparation for Full Communion

“Their doctrinal and spiritual preparation for reception into full Catholic communion should be determined according to the individual case,

that is, it should depend on the extent to which the baptized person has led a Christian life within a community of faith

and been appropriately catechized to deepen his or her inner adherence to the Church.”

(U.S. National Statutes 30)

Preparation for Full Communion

“Those baptized persons who have lived as Christians and need only instruction in the Catholic tradition and a degree of probation within the Catholic community

should not be asked to undergo a full program parallel to the catechumenate.”

(US National Statutes 31)

Preparation - Confession“If the profession of faith and reception take place within Mass, the candidate, according to his or her own conscience, should make a confession of sins beforehand, first informing the confessor that he or she is about to be received into full communion.” (RCIA 482)

• “According to conscience” = how to confess• Not optional

Sponsor“If someone has had

the principal part in guiding or

preparing the candidate, he or she

should be the sponsor.”(RCIA 483)

Your reaction?

• Familiar with Rite of Reception?

• Notice?

• Struck you?

• Caught your attention? ?

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Reception at Easter Vigil?NATIONAL STATUTES

USCCB 1988

When to celebrate Rite of Reception?

• 32 “The reception of candidates into the full communion of the Catholic Church should ordinarily take place at the Sunday Eucharist of the parish community,

• “in such a way that it is understood that they are indeed Christian believers who have already shared in the sacramental life of the Church

• “and are now welcomed into the Catholic Eucharistic community upon their profession of faith and confirmation….”

U.S. National Statuteson the Catechumenate1988


• 33 “It is preferable that reception into full communion not take place at the Easter Vigil

• “lest there be any confusion of such baptized Christians with the candidates for baptism,

• “possible misunderstanding of or even reflection upon the sacrament of baptism in another Church or ecclesial community,

• “or any perceived triumphalism in the liturgical welcome into the Catholic Eucharistic community.”








Ecumenical







Dignity of Baptism







Distinction catechumens & candidates

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• 34 “Nevertheless if there are both catechumens to be baptized and baptized Christians to be received into full communion at the Vigil,

• “… the combined rite is to be followed….

• “A clear distinction should be maintained … between candidates for sacramental initiation and candidates for reception into full communion,

• “and ecumenical sensitivities should be carefully respected.”





















U.S. Statutes 32-34

• 32 Receive at Sunday Mass

• 33 Not at Easter Vigil

• 34 If you ignore n. 33and do it at the Vigil anyway, use this ritual

§ Make clear distinction

§ Ecumenical Respect



U.S. Statutes 32-34• 32 Receive at Sunday Mass• 33 Not at Easter Vigil • 34 NOTE: Read n 34 carefully!

◦ 34 is NOT encouraging the use of the Combined Rite

◦ but offering a ritual to follow if you must receive candidates along with initiating catechumens


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• 34 Combined Rite is in Appendix◦ For a serious reason◦ Not in the Ritual Book itself◦ Supposed to be the exception◦ Not “default” as has happened

• 34 calls for § Clear distinction§ Ecumenical Respect

• But are these really evident?§ Reception at the most important

liturgy of the year? § “Initiated” with catechumens?



U.S. Statutes 32-34

LISTEN TO 32 and 33:

• 32 Receive at Sunday Mass

• 33 Not at Easter Vigil U.S. National Statuteson the Catechumenate1988


• Even more confusion• Baptized but Uncatechized Christians

“The high point of their entire formation

will normally be the Easter Vigil.

“At that time they will [1] make a profession of the faith

in which they were baptized, [2] receive the sacrament of confirmation,

[3] and take part in the Eucharist.”

(RCIA 409)

R.C.I.A.Chapter 4Preparation of Uncatechized Adults for Confirmation and Eucharist


Originally meant for Catholics!






(RCIA 409)



Originally meant for Catholics!






(RCIA 409)


Easter Vigil• “Quite simply, there is neither a historical precedent for the

reception of baptized Christians from other traditions at

Easter, nor any sound theological reason why it should take place.”

– Maxwell E. Johnson, “Let’s Stop Making ‘Converts’ at Easter,” 18

• “Receiving baptized Christians at the Easter Vigil diminishes the very baptism we are trying to celebrate.”

– Maxwell E. Johnson

• “By adopting Easter as the occasion for celebrating the rite of

reception, the Catholic Church in the United States has reframed the meaning of the rite … into something more resembling a conversion, a dying and rising -- rather than an evolution, a coming to full communion.”

– Paul Turner, When Other Christians Become Catholic, p 14

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From 1976 Foreword to USCC Rite of Reception

“Thus the name of the present rite and its contents have been chosen to express, not conversion to Christian faith, but rather admission, reception, and welcome into the fullness of Catholic communion. “This is the reason also that the present rite is to be kept entirely distinct from the catechumenate of Christian initiation. “The rites of the catechumenate and Christian initiation are for unbelievers who come to Christian faith; “the present rite is for Christian believers who have been baptized in another church or ecclesial community and who now seek to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.”

IV. RecommendationsDOES RECEPTION BELONG IN “RCIA”?

Recommendations• Read the R.C.I.A.• Read R.C.I.A. with pastor• No “cohort” - individuals• Receive when ready• May have joint catechetical meetings• Watch language

◦ Catechumens are not “received into full communion”◦ “Candidates for full communion”◦ “RCIA” is about “becoming Catholic”

Recommendations• Don’t assume “uncatechized”• Judge if Part II, ch 4 rites are appropriate• Avoid combined rites

Your Questions & Comments

• What do you take away from this webinar today?

• What is most important thing you learned?

• What idea or practice is most challenging to you?

• What’s still confusing?

• What affirmed what you are already doing?

• What do you need in order to take next step?

Help!

• Office for Divine Worship

• Emily Besl

◦ [email protected]

◦ [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

reception of baptized christians · other christians become catholic, p. 80) combined rites...

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