Lesson 15
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Rites of Sending and of Election
At the beginning of the RCIA inquiry, it was mentioned as you became a catechumen, you would experience certain rites. At this point in your journey, you should have already received the rite of acceptance. Each rite celebrated, marks a passing from one way of understanding the Christian life to one which involves more discerning and a concerted approach to seek to live a life in and with Christ. Each rite reminds you of the previous rite, thus building to a new height and natural progression, of the conversion experience.
The Rite of Acceptance was the first rite you experienced and was celebrated a few months prior. The Rite of Sending is the next rite and echoes the steps of the previous rite while at the same time builds up to a new more heightened awareness. Recall from the Rite of Acceptance; the steps which occurred:
· Standing at the entrance (as if at church doors knocking), you entered as a candidate into the community as it were for the first time.
· You were accepted into the Body of Christ as a catechumen
· With your sponsor you were introduced to the parish community
· And became a part of this parish community
· With the Bible shown you embraced the Word of our Lord
· You accepted the Cross of Jesus as the road to salvation
· You promised to walk in the Light of Christ and inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Once again you find yourself standing before the parish community in which you have become a “vital part” of Christ’s body. Now is the time your sponsor/godparent and the parish community must give their testimony that you have experienced true conversion of faith and attest to your commitment to the Catholic community. This Chapter will provide information about Rite of Sending and the Rite of Election.
The Rite of Sending reminds us, Christ sends the Christian into the World
The Rite of Sending reminds us, Christ sends the Christian into the World
The Rite of Sending announces to your Catholic Community that you as well as other catechumens are to be presented to the bishop. This rite is the marked indication and reminder to you who want to be a disciple of Jesus, that He “sent” His disciples out.
Jesus Sends
Jesus Sends
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ 10 Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town. (Luke 10:1-12)
At their beginning, the disciples, were learning and experiencing who Jesus was. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus instructs his disciples, then He sends them out. Luke 10:1-12 is one example of Jesus sending his disciples out into the world. Notice, the Gospel does not indicate that the disciples are inexhaustibly capable or fully trained. This sending forth of the disciples is an initial step which Jesus repeats.
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10 records where Jesus sends his apostles, with which He; “….gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”[1] The Gospel of Mark chapter 6 also speaks of Jesus sending the Apostles out into the world.
The Church follows the same mandate into the apostolic mission, “19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”[2]
It is through the Apostles, where Christ continues His mission.[3] “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”[4]“…whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”[5] The Disciple of Christ is to be instructed by the Magisterium of the Church[6] and sent out in to the world to proclaim the Gospel. These are reasons why the Church is considered Apostolic (One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church).[7]
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[1] Matthew 10:1
[2] Matthew 28:19-20
[3] CCC 858
[4] John 20:21
[5] John 13:20
[6] Acts 2:42 :“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and to the Communal; life, to the breaking of the bread and prayers.”
[7] This Faith – The Beginning – Lesson 7 : Jesus Came to Establish a Church
Rite of Sending - The RCIA Process
Rite of Sending - The RCIA Process
Originally you started your Faith Journey as a “candidate.” After the Rite of Acceptance, you became a catechumen. As a catechumen you moved forward on your Faith Journey towards the goal which is to be fully received into the Catholic Faith. The Rite of Sending and Rite of Election signifies a progression and are connected in the RCIA process.
The Rite of Sending marks where your local parish sends its catechumen to the Bishop. The group of catechumens along with their god-parents are presented to the community during the Mass right after the readings and the homily. The priest acknowledges each catechumen and the community prays over the group.
The preference and the norm is for the Rite of Sending to be celebrated the weekend before the catechumens actually go to the Rite of Election. This gives you as the catechumen involved, some time to reflect on what the rite is about. There is no concrete rule on this. Sometimes logistics and/or scheduling needs may dictate the proximity of these two rites. On certain occasions or in certain dioceses, the Rite of Sending may be celebrated on the same day or weekend as the Rite of Election.
Within the rites there are many things going on. Perhaps, it seems over whelming. Efforts are made by the ministers and teams so that the Catechumen does not miss out on the symbolism being used to assist in their spiritual inspiration. The symbols used within each rite is intended to create in the catechumen a Spirit-driven need to obtain the love and peace of Jesus in their lives.
There can be situations where the catechumen attends the Cathedral Parish itself or something similar within the diocese. This can be the church where the Bishop comes and receives the catechumen in the Rite of Election. Even in this situation the catechumen will experience the Rite of Sending first. The Rite of Sending marks where the local community is sending the catechumen to the Bishop. There the catechumens are assembled together with other Catechumens from the diocese.
Being Sent with the Experienced Disciple
Being Sent with the Experienced Disciple
At the Rite of Sending the catechumen should never be asked to proceed or stand alone. The sponsor/god-parent, a proxy, catechetic team member or community members are there to accompany the catechumen on this part of the journey. As experienced disciples they walk beside the catechumen or “disciples in training”. As such they are charged with letting the Church know that the catechumen is ready to be received by the Bishop for testimony about their journey.
When does the Rite of Sending and Election occur?
When does the Rite of Sending and Election occur?
Typically, the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Election, occur at the beginning of Lenten season. The Rites occur during this time because the catechumen is being received by the Bishop and returns the catechumen to the parish for final preparation for the Easter Sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) which occurs in a few short weeks.
What does it mean “to be sent?”
What does it mean “to be sent?”
During the Catechumenate period (The period marked after the Rite of Acceptance) the catechumen has been dismissed from the community during the mass to further reflect upon the word of God and the homily. This marks the catechumen as a disciple of Christ who is in a period of learning and training. During this training the catechumen is sent to receive Christ through the word within scripture.
When the “baptized” Body of Christ are dismissed at the end of Mass, they are sent out into the world to love and serve the Lord. Christ has left His gifts of His word and teaching in scripture, and the grace through the Sacrament of Holy Communion for use by the faithful in daily life. These gifts are not meant to be internalized. They are meant to be shared with others.
The catechumen likewise is to go out into the world to love and serve the Lord, taking with them what Christ has provided in His word and the teachings in scripture. Every time the Christian (disciple of Christ) is sent forth, it marks a new period (albeit; day by day or week by week) where what was learned is put into practice.
The Rite of Election – The RCIA Process
The Rite of Election – The RCIA Process
The Rite of Election is a testimony of the catechumen’s faithfulness during the preparation time in the RCIA process. As a principal aspect of the Rite of Election, the catechumen is intentionally not left to stand alone. Once again it is the sponsor/godparent, (proxy if needed), catechetic team member and/or community members who are present to walk with the catechumen on this part of the journey. The sponsor/godparent walks along as experienced disciples beside the catechumen ( “disciples in training”).
As the catechumen continues on this “road,” The sponsor as an experienced disciple, is sent along with them. The sponsors and instructors are charged with letting the Church know that the catechumen has approached a point of preparedness and ready to be in full communion with the Catholic Community.
An integral aspect of this Rite is the signing of the book of the elect. The catechumen signs this book for the intent and with the knowledge they have sealed their covenant with God. This is done as an overt sincere gesture where the catechumen whole heartedly agrees to finish the training they started. The catechumen’s covenant with God is their intended commitment and seriousness to what they are doing.
Do not worry. The signing of the book is not the signing of a contract. However, it does elevate the seriousness of the catechumen’s intention to proceed. It also is a way to impose the thought that seeking a relationship with God is an important part of life which should be taken seriously.
Just as the catechumen was signed with cross of Christ in the Rite of Acceptance, the catechumen is now signing with Jesus in a promise to know, love, serve and follow Him throughout their life. As the bishop signs this same book in the Rite of Election, he is receiving the catechumen into the family of Christ. It is at this point the catechumen is now referred to as the “elect”. The catechumen is now elected to receive the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil mass
which is held the Saturday evening (after sunset), before Easter Sunday Morning.
Welcome to the family!
Remember Your Call
Remember Your Call
1While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.2He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
3Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
4After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
5Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
6When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”9For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,
Luke (5:1-9)
Jesus calls everyone to be his disciples. For you to respond you must acknowledge your sin, repent, trust in Him and continue to ask for His grace. Remember, to repent means to ‘turn or turn around.’ You turn away from sin and selfish desires. Turn toward Jesus and keep our eyes fixed on Him[1]. To believe in Jesus, is to Trust in Him completely. You must trust in His command to: “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
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[1] Heb 12:1-2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Jesus Heals the Afflicted
Jesus Heals the Afflicted
All mankind is maimed by sin. As such, you can consider yourself as the ‘leper’ who in ancient time was considered “unclean.” As you continue to answer the call from God and journey in faith towards Him, do not be afraid to cry out to God to remove your sins. When we cry out, Jesus hears and removes our sin. Jesus perfects us through grace. We must choose to cooperate with His grace on our Journey in Holiness.
12Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
13Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately.
14Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
15The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments,
16but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray. (Luke 5:12-16)
The ‘leper’ was a person with leprosy’ which was a heinous, debilitating and contagious disease. As such it was greatly feared in ancient times. So, the leper was always avoided by people, leaving the leper an outcast even among outcasts.
Jesus Cures the Demoniac
53After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there.54As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.55They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.56Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed. (Mark 6:53-56)
Store up treasures in Heaven
Store up treasures in Heaven
19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.21For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Matt 6:19-21)
All things change, and all things will pass away, but the word of God goes on forever. Your souls will exist forever as well. Do not place your trust on things that will pass away but with the help of Christ store those things that we can cherish forever in heaven. Place your trust on Jesus!
Your next steps will challenge you to give more of oneself to God and to desire his presence forever. Giving more of oneself is not always the demand for more time. Often it is the demand to abandon those things which keep us from drawing closer to Christ.
Self-reflection:
Self-reflection:
In the Gospel of Luke, you find where Jesus instructs his disciples then he sends them out. The passage (Luke 10:1-12) is one example where Jesus is sending his disciples out into the world. Notice that the Gospel does not indicate that the disciples are inexhaustibly capable or fully trained. The sending forth of the disciples is an initial step. I must realize that as I move towards the fullness of communion as a Christian that Jesus will send me into the world. I should not be afraid or discouraged. I must trust He will provide for me in whatever He sends me out to do. I must also realize with faith, being sent out and moving forward in my journey itself may be the training experience Jesus would have me undergo.
Answer the Questions:
Answer the Questions:
1.) In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10 we find where Jesus sends his apostles, with which He; “….gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”(MT 10:1).As such the Disciple of Christ follows the same mandate. The apostolic mission calls for the disciple to be sent out in to the world and proclaim the Gospel. It is for this as well as what is recorded in Acts 2:42 where the infant church followed the teachings of the apostles therefore the Church is considered_________.
a. Filled with Saints
b. The Friend of Jesus
c. Apostolic
d. Ecumenical
e. Judeo-Christian
2.) At the Rite of Sending, I, as a Catechumen will experience:
a. My Catholic Community agreeing to send me to the Bishop
b. Make a long speech
c. Be tested by questions asked by my Catholic Community
d. Have to complete 120-page test
e. Go with my God-Parent before the Catholic Community
3.) Typically, the Rite of Sending and the Rite of Election occur _____________.
4.) During the Rite of Election, I will be presented before the Bishop. True/False
5.) During the Rite of Election, I will be asked to sign a Book which is a Contract forcing me to become Catholic. True/False
6.) All mankind is maimed with sin. As such you are as the ‘leper’ who in ancient time was considered “unclean.” When you cry out, Jesus hears and removes your ______________.
a. Disease
b. Hang Toe nail
c. Bad Attitude
d. Worldliness
e. Sin
f. Car Payment
7.) What are the Sacraments of Initiation?
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