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By Dr. Christine Wood, Archdiocese of Hobart
As dioceses prepare to celebrate the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, the second big step in the RCIA process, it’s worth taking another look at the RCIA book to discover what we are looking for in our catechumens to discern their readiness – or ‘suitableness’ as the rite says – for the Rite of Election.
Discernment involves hearing the testimony of godparents and catechists that the catechumens are suitable for election. This means they have been sufficiently prepared during the catechumenate for reception of the sacraments. The rite explains that the catechumens have a sincere desire to be initiated into the sacramental life of the Church this Easter. Godparents and catechists must confirm that the catechumens have listened to the word of Christ and endeavour to follow his commands; that they have also shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer (n. 118).
Discernment also requires the catechumens’ own reaffirmation of their intention to receive the sacraments. The rite itself addresses the catechumens: “Since you have already heard the call of Christ, you must now express your response to that call clearly and in the presence of the whole Church. Therefore, do you wish to enter fully into the life of the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the eucharist?” (n. 119).
Practically speaking how do clergy or catechists discern a catechumen’s readiness or ‘suitableness’ for the Rite of Election? My practice is to sit down first with my RCIA team to hear their perspectives on each catechumen. Then I have an open conversation with each of the catechumens individually. I speak about how I have seen God at work in their lives during the initiation process. While some catechumens are ready for this next step, others are not, so I will explain to the catechumen that it’s fine if they need more time to learn to live the Catholic way of life before proceeding through the rite. When a person isn’t ready, I explain why it’s best to delay reception of the sacraments for a period. Conversion takes time and we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes there are issues that the catechumens still have to work through.
If the RCIA team and I believe a catechumen may be ready, I speak to him or her about how their life has changed during the catechumenate, what changes have occurred in their relationship with God, and family or friends, and how their relationship with their sponsor or godparent has developed? I ask them about the people in the parish they have connected with and how these relationships have helped them to live the Catholic life more deeply.
These questions address the primary issue of conversion to God, as well as their relationship with their Christian brothers and sisters. If they haven’t connected with other parishioners for faith and moral support then it will be difficult for them to continue living the Catholic life once fully initiated.
I ask them to describe the way they pray, their relationship with Jesus Christ, and ask if they have begun to relate to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints? Again, these questions are aimed at discerning how the catechumen has grown in the initial faith, the practise of calling upon God in prayer, and sense of the Church that they manifested to go through the Rite of Acceptance. We look for signs that these dimensions of their faith life have developed through the catechumenate period.
It’s important also to address the moral life, so I ask the catechumen to explain the degree to which they have turned away from sin and begun to develop a desire for virtue. This may seem like a challenging question to ask, but I find that by this time I have developed a deep relationship with each catechumen and usually they are quite open about their moral struggles. It’s important at this stage of the process to see evidence that the first stirrings of repentance at the Rite of Acceptance has developed through the catechumenate.
It’s worth noting here that during the enquiry stage and early catechumenate the RCIA team has worked with the catechumens to help them break away from any serious sin in their lives. If they are still habitually sinning in a serious way as we approach Lent, then they are not ready for the Rite of Election, and we need to draw upon the minor liturgical rites, catechesis, prayer, communal life, and personal testimonies to help break the chains of any seriously sinful habits in their lives. The Holy Spirit provides the grace to do so via these means.
Since the catechumens are to express their desire to receive the sacraments in the Rite of Election I ask them if they have this desire, particularly to receive Jesus in the Eucharist? I ask them if they understand what it means to be fully incorporated into the life of the Church through these sacraments, and what is required of them once this happens? I ask them if they think they have a good understanding of Catholic teaching and if there is anything they would like to know more about.
Finally, if their answers are suitable, then I explain the rite to them and ask if they are prepared to proceed through the rite.
This process of discernment requires prayer and serious conversations with our catechumens. We are there to support them in their journey towards the Lord and into the Body of Christ so our Christian witness to Christ’s love and mercy are critical throughout the process. This discernment process enables us to bring the light of Christ to the conversion process of each catechumen, calling them to follow Christ with greater generosity and trust.
