The Call to Continuing Conversion is the ceremony in which baptized non-Catholics (Candidates) make a profession of faith, are received into full communion with the Catholic Church followed by the reception of the Eucharist and Confirmation. It is perfectly appropriate that the Candidates participate in much of the same formation as the unbaptized Catechumens, and this is the practice in most parishes.
However, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) warns that “care must be taken to maintain the distinction between the catechumens and the baptized candidates (#549).” There is a very good reason for this. For the Candidates, Baptism is actually the starting point of their formation which consists in developing the graces and effects of their Baptism; therefore this rite should be seen as a celebration of the Church with its climax in Eucharistic communion. It is ordinarily celebrated at the beginning of Lent, and the presiding celebrant should usually be the pastor of the parish (#448). One of the implications of the implementation of this directive is that the Candidates do not participate in the Rite of Sending neither do they sign the book of the Elect.
“This is no way diminishes the significance of their call to conversion, but emphasizes the importance and privilege of the call they have already received,” Bishop Barnes states in an Oct. 20 letter announcing the local changes in the Rite of Election.
The Rite of Election for children is also being transferred to the parishes. The Diocese of San Bernardino has been blessed with great numbers of children and adult Catechumens seeking entry into the Church. While this is a great gift to the Church, it also presents many pastoral issues which must be addressed. It has become quite unwieldy for just one person to preside over the nine Rites of Election the Diocese celebrates at this time, so Bishop Barnes has granted permission for all Pastors to celebrate the Rite of Election for Children in their individual parishes. This not only will allow for the reduction of the numbers of the Rites of Election but also provide the children with more individual interaction, attention and support as they celebrate in their parishes. The children will sign their names on beautifully prepared embellished parchment-type pages which will be bound into a single book of the Elect and presented to Bishop Barnes.
In order to help parishes adjust to these changes the Diocese is offering a workshop on December 1 from 9:30-Noon at the Diocesan Pastoral Center for pastors, catechists, coordinators, or anyone who would like to learn about how to implement these changes. The workshop will be repeated on December 2 from 6:30-9:00 PM. To register please go to the Office of Worship website: sites.google.com\site\sbdworship.
Sr. Jeremy Gallet is the Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of San Bernardino.