This last section of the chapter on the precatechumenate is addressed to clergy:
40. During the precatechumenate period, parish priests (pastors) should help those taking part in it with prayers suited to them, for example, by celebrating for their spiritual well-being the prayers of exorcism and the blessings given in the ritual (RCIA nos. 94, 97).
It’s interesting that while large-scale liturgy is strongly discouraged, it is left to the pastor’s discretion and responsibility to pray with inquirers, and to be familiar enough with these newcomers so as to discern their proper spiritual needs.
This concludes what the rite have to teach on the precatechumenate period. No big public rituals, but remember the important principles contained in the rite: the call for the community to evangelize, for the whole community to be involved in meeting and conversing with inquirers, the emphasis on the proclamation of the Gospel (as opposed to “teaching” it), and the hope for spiritual growth. Everything is guided to the next step, when inquirers will make the choice to enter the catechumenate and their first “consecration” (RCIA no. 41) before the faith community is celebrated.
Meanwhile, any final comments on the period of precatechumenate?
