44. The rite will take place on specified days during the year (see RCIA 18) that are suited to local conditions. The rite consists in the reception of the candidates, the celebration of the word of God, and the dismissal of the candidates; celebration of the eucharist may follow.
By decision of the conference of bishops, the following may be incorporated into this rite: a first exorcism and renunciation of false worship (RCIA 70-72), the giving of a new name (RCIA 73), and additional rites signifying reception into the community (RCIA 74).
45. It is desirable that the entire Christian community or some part of it, consisting of friends and acquaintances, catechists and priests, take an active part in the celebration. The presiding celebrant is a priest or a deacon. The sponsors should also attend in order to present to the Church the candidates they have brought.
Commentary:
#44 is pretty pedestrian, and we’ll get to the outline in a few days. I’ll repeat earlier commentary that the American development of giving the new catechumens bibles or an actual cross, strikes me as more symbolic of Christ than the community. I think the rite stands well on its own, without these additions. #45 is not a surprise, as we’ll see throughout the RCIA the importance of the involvement of the community.
Other comments?
4 May 2009 at 12:16 am
Not sure if this is the sort of comment you were looking for but, personally, I was given a bible at the Rite of Acceptance and thought of it as symbolic of being accepted into the community to study it further. We used it quite a bit in class later and it meant a lot to me that I had been given my copy by the church rather than buying it myself.
4 May 2009 at 7:29 am
I see your point, Rebecca. You make a convincing case for the symbolism behind the Bible in a community that takes the Word of God seriously. Thanks for sharing this.