The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (RCIA 309-329) for children of catechetical age is based on the adult rite (218-243) with the following omissions in the children’s rite: no presentation of candidates (RCIA 219) and no litany of saints (RCIA 221). The rite with children includes an optional profession of faith for the community (RCIA 312) after the Prayer over the Water. The children may be anointed with the oil of catechumens, if they have not already been anointed. However, this ritual is usually omitted.
Otherwise the rite proceeds much as it does for adults, with some simplified language in the explanations and prayers. Overall, it looks like this (options in parentheses):
LITURGY OF THE WORD
CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
Invitation to Prayer
Prayer over the Water
(Community’s Profession of Faith)
Children’s Profession of Faith: Renunciation of Sin, (Anointing), Profession of Faith
Baptism
Explanatory Rites: (Anointing after Baptism–only done when confirmation is delayed), (Clothing With a Baptismal Garment), Presentation of a Lighted Candle
CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION
Invitation
Laying on of Hands
Anointing With Chrism
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
I’ll home in on a few specifics in the next few posts, but I won’t be going into great detail.
