RCIA and Holy Saturday

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[Salvation]

Q&A - RCIA and Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, April 11, the Catholic Church in the United States will receive tens of thousands of men and women in the Church. Parishes welcome these new members through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and a ceremony bringing men and women into full communion with the Catholic Church. Listed here are some questions and answers related to these events.

1. What is the RCIA?

   The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. In 1974 the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults was formally approved for use in the United States.

   
   

2. What are the steps of the RCIA?

   Prior to formally beginning the RCIA process, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This time period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some people, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, it is a shorter time. Often, some contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience leads people to inquire about membership in the Catholic Church.

   After conversation with an advisor or spiritual guide, the person, known as an "inquirer," may decide to continue the process and seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. The inquirer stands in the midst of the parish community and states that he or she wants to continue the process and become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The local parish assembly affirms his or her wish and the inquirer then becomes a "catechumen."

   The period of the catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a much shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions and obstacles they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this faith journey. During this time the catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they want to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what membership in the Catholic Church involves. Catechumens have a special connection to the Church and even though they are not yet baptized, they also have certain rights in the Church.

   When a catechumen and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. This rite includes the official enrollment of names of all those seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. On the first Sunday of Lent, the catechumens and their sponsors and families and members of the parish gather at the cathedral church and the catechumens publicly request baptism. Their names are then recorded in a special book and they are then no longer called catechumens, but "the elect." The days of Lent are the final period of purification and enlightenment leading up to the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil. This Lenten season is a period of intense preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the elect, and special prayers for them by the parish communities.

   The third formal step is the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, which takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday night when the catechumen receives the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church and will continue to live out his or her response to God as a member of this faith community.

   After the person is initiated at the Vigil, another period of formation and education continues in the period of the postbaptismal catechesis which is called "mystagogy." This period continues at least until Pentecost and often longer. During the period of mystagogy the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission and outreach activities.

   
   

3. What is meant when people refer to men and women coming into "full communion with the Church"?

   Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for men and women who are baptized Christians but not Roman Catholics. These individuals make a profession of faith but they are not baptized again.

   To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called "candidates," usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the specific teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Some of their formation and preparation may be with catechumens preparing for baptism, but the preparation for candidates is very different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many of them have also been active members of other Christian communities.

   
   

4. How many people will be Baptized Holy Saturday?

   In 1997 there were 75,645 adult baptisms, an increase from the 69,894 baptized in 1996. On the first Sunday of Lent this year when the Rite of Election was celebrated, many dioceses reported that their numbers had increased from last year.

   
   

5. How many people will come into full communion with the Church on Holy Saturday?

   In 1997 there were 85, 970 received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

   
   

6. What is the Holy Saturday rite like?

   The Holy Saturday Liturgy begins with the Service of Light which includes the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle which symbolizes Jesus, the light of the World. The second part consists of the Liturgy of the Word with a number of Scripture readings. After the Liturgy of the Word, the candidates are presented to the members of the community, who pray for them and join in the Litany of the Saints. After the Litany and prayer for the elect, the presider blesses the water placing the Easter or Paschal candle into the baptismal water. Those seeking baptism then renounce sin and profess their faith after which they are immersed into the baptismal water three times with the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In some situations the water may be poured over the head of each candidate.

   After the baptism the newly baptized are dressed in white garments and are presented with a candle lighted from the Paschal Candle. The newly baptized are then confirmed by the priest or bishop whose imposes hands on their heads, and invokes the gift of the Holy Spirit. He then anoints them with the oil called Sacred Chrism.

   The Mass continues in the usual fashion. Now the newly baptized participate in the general intercessions, in bringing their gifts to the altar, and they share in the offering of Christ's sacrifice. At the Communion of the Mass, each of the newly baptized receives the Eucharist, Christ's body and blood, for the first time.

   
   

7. What does the white robe symbolize?

   The newly baptized are dressed in a white garment after baptism to symbolize that they are washed clean of sin and that they are to continue to walk in this newness of life.

   
   

8. What does the candle symbolize?

   A small candle is lit from the Easter candle and given to the newly baptized as a reminder to them always to walk as children of the light

   
   

9. What does the Sacred Chrism symbolize?

   The Sacred Chrism, or oil, is a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit being given to the newly baptized. It is also a sign of the close link between the mission of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who comes to the person with the Father in baptism.

   
   

10. Why was this ancient rite restored?

    It was restored in the Church to highlight the fact that the newly baptized are received into a community of faith, which is challenged to realize that they too have become different because of this new life in the community.

[Salvation]

This is a beautiful night to visit the Catholic Church! You are all invited!

For your imfornation and comments.

Dates referenced are for other years.

[Salvation]

The Catholic Encyclopedia

Holy Saturday

In the primitive Church Holy Saturday was known as Great, or Grand, Saturday, Holy Saturday, the Angelic Night, the Vigil of Easter, etc. It is no longer, like Maundy Thursday, a day of joy, but one of joy and sadness intermingled; it is the close of the season of Lent and penance, and the beginning of paschal time, which is one of rejoicing.

By a noteworthy exception, in the early Church this was the only Saturday on which fasting was permitted (Constit. Apost., VII, 23), and the fast was one of special severity. Dating from the time of St. Irenaeus, an absolute fast from every kind of food was observed for the forty hours preceding the feast of Easter, and although the moment assigned for breaking the fast at dawn on Sunday varied according to time and country, the abstinence from food on Holy Saturday was general.

The night of the vigil of Easter has undergone a strange displacement. During the first six or seven centuries, ceremonies were in progress throughout the entire night, so that the Alleluia coincided with the day and moment of the Resurrection. In the eighth century these same ceremonies were held on Saturday afternoon and, by a singular anachronism, were later on conducted on Saturday morning, thus the time for carrying out the solemnity was advanced almost a whole day. Thanks to this change, special services were now assigned to Holy Saturday whereas, beforehand, it had had none until the late hour of the vigil.

This vigil opened with the blessing of the new fire, the lighting of lamps and candles and of the paschal candle, ceremonies that have lost much of their symbolism by being anticipated and advanced from twilight to broad daylight. St. Cyril of Jerusalem spoke of this night that was as bright as day, and Constantine the Great added unprecedented splendour to its brilliancy by a profusion of lamps and enormous torches, so that not only basilicas, but private houses, streets, and public squares were resplendent with the light that was symbolic of the Risen Christ. The assembled faithful gave themselves up to common prayer, the singing of psalms and hymns, and the reading of the Scriptures commentated by the bishop or priests. The vigil of Easter was especially devoted to the baptism of catechumens who, in the more important churches, were very numerous. On the Holy Saturday following the deposition of St. John Chrysostom from the See of Constantinople, there were 3000 catechumens in this church alone. Such numbers were, of course, only encountered in large cities; nevertheless, as Holy Saturday and the vigil of Pentecost were the only days on which baptism was administered, even in smaller churches there was always a goodly number of catechumens. This meeting of people in the darkness of the night often occasioned abuses which the clergy felt powerless to prevent by active supervision unless by so anticipating the ceremonies that all of them could take place in daylight. Rabanus Maurus, an ecclesiastical writer of the ninth century (De cleric. Instit., II, 28), gives a detailed account of the ceremony of Holy Saturday. The congregation remained silent in the church awaiting the dawn of the Resurrection, joining at intervals in psalmody and chant and listening to the reading of the lessons. These rites were identical with those in the primitive Church and were solemnized at the same hours, as the faithful throughout the world had not yet consented to anticipate the Easter vigil and it was only during the Middle Ages that uniformity on this point was established.

[Salvation]

**This vigil opened with the blessing of the new fire, the lighting of lamps and candles and of the paschal candle, ceremonies that have lost much of their symbolism by being anticipated and advanced from twilight to broad daylight. St. Cyril of Jerusalem spoke of this night that was as bright as day, and Constantine the Great added unprecedented splendour to its brilliancy by a profusion of lamps and enormous torches, so that not only basilicas, but private houses, streets, and public squares were resplendent with the light that was symbolic of the Risen Christ.**

I know it is wonderful to receive all these new Catholics into the church. This, however, is my favorite part of the Holy Saturday celebration --- from darkness to the Light of Christ!

Any other thoughts out there?

[Salvation]

**This meeting of people in the darkness of the night often occasioned abuses which the clergy felt powerless to prevent by active supervision unless by so anticipating the ceremonies that all of them could take place in daylight.**

I just re-read this and found this one sentence! How times have changed!

[american colleen]

Going to the Vigil Mass tonight with my kids. There are two catechumens and I noticed a blue plastic kids pool on the altar for the one who is going to be baptized. I'm probably a scrooge, but that plastic pool really aggravates me!

It certainly is a beautiful Mass though!

[Desdemona]

The scripture readings this evening cover a lot of ground. In the long form, there are nine Old Testament readings each followed by a psalm. The short form only has three - the first chapters of Genesis, the Exodus story and song and one from Isaiah. There is more scripture on this night than any other Mass during the year.

Also, before all this there is an Easter Proclamation called the Exultet. It is sung - at least it's supposed to be - be the priest or deacon if they can sing, if not a choir member may be used. Seven minutes a cappella. (congradulate whoever does it on getting through it)

I will be attending this evening. This is my favorite in the church year. It's long, but worth every minute.

[Salvation]

**There is more scripture on this night than any other Mass during the year.**

We do compete with the Protestants as to length tonight, don't we?

Are you singing the Exultet?

[Salvation]

**blue plastic kids pool**

Sounds like your church needs to install a new Baptismal font. LOL!

[NYer]

This is a beautiful night to visit the Catholic Church! You are all invited!

Absolutely beautiful celebration!

Two weeks ago, the RCIA candidates from the Albany diocese were welcomed by the bishop at the Cathedral of the Immacualte Conception, where they signed their names to the register. I also found the following information at the diocese web site. It complements what you have already written.

OF SPECIAL NOTE:  CONFIRMATION

Adults who come into the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults receive Confirmation with Baptism and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil as administered by the priest.  However, this opportunity is taken to respond to several inquiries regarding the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in other circumstances.  According to the liturgical laws of the Church, the ordinary minister of Confirmation is a bishop.  However, at the Easter Vigil, on Pentecost Sunday, and at other times during the year, a priest may celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, in virtue of faculties granted directly by canon law or by the Bishop (Canon 882) in the following situations:

1.  To confirm an adult who was previously baptized in another Christian tradition, when that person is received into full communion with the Catholic Church (Canon 883.2 gives the faculty).

2.  To confirm an adult who was previously baptized in the Catholic Church but who was raised in neither the Catholic faith nor any other faith tradition upon the person's reconciliation with the Church (Diocesan faculties granted by Bishop Hubbard on January 1, 1985)

3.  To confirm an adult who was baptized in the Catholic Church but who had been brought up in or joined another non‑Catholic Christian religion, and now seeks full reception in the Catholic Church.  The Confirmation would take place at the time of their reception.  (Diocesan faculties granted by Bishop Hubbard on January 1, 1985).

N.B.  Catholic Confirmation is never repeated, so, if a person joined another non‑Catholic Christian religion following Catholic Confirmation and now wishes to return, they would be received back into the Catholic Church, but not confirmed again. (Canon 845, 1)

            HOWEVER, IT IS RESERVED TO THE BISHOP to confirm a person who was baptized in the Catholic Church and raised in the faith but had lapsed in the practice of their faith and then after a period of time (often many years) now desires to be confirmed and to actively involved in the life of the Church.

            It is also reserved to the Bishop to confirm a person who was baptized in the Catholic Church and raised in the faith, but for some reason was never confirmed.

Often, for pastoral reasons, those previously baptized in the Catholic faith, but never confirmed join Catechumens and Candidates for Full Communion through the parish R.C.I.A. process.  The faculty to confirm these adults must be requested, in each instance, from the bishop.  This faculty is granted with the clear expectation that the appropriate catechetical preparation has been completed.  PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED FORM.  

[Salvation]

Thanks for pinging everyone and for the wonderful addition to the thread on the sacramental aspect of this celebration!

[Desdemona]

We do compete with the Protestants as to length tonight, don't we?

Length, yes. Scripture, no. We always outdo the protestants on scripture.

Are you singing the Exultet?

Not this year. I have done it in the past. This year I'm a congregant. Over the summer I'm going to explore and see if I can find a parish to sing in. The Cathedral...there's some specific hurdles. We'll see.

[Salvation]

The Easter Candle by Paul Turner

The first sound of the Easter season is the crackling of new fire. Even before the presider greets the people, the Easter flame burns to warm the hearts of believers and to fascinate our eyes which long to behold the glory of God.The Easter candle that leads the procession into the church at the Easter Vigil becomes a dominant symbol for the season. Tall, bright, decorative, stately, it creates the first light for the faithful and dispels the darkness which belies our sins. The Easter candle first announces the news of the resurrection, followed by the Glory to God, the Alleluia, the Gospel, the homily, and, of course, the Eucharist. All join to make the same proclamation. Christ is risen!

So big is this message that it takes fifty days to celebrate. That Easter candle burns in our churches every day during those seven weeks, proclaiming: Christ is risen, and we too may rise!

The Easter candle appears in our liturgy on two other very significant occasions: baptisms and funerals.

Whenever infants are baptized, we light the Easter candle. The resurrection of Christ foreshadows our own resurrection. Baptism incorporates us into the body of Christ and gives us a share in his resurrection. Whenever the baptismal waters are poured, the Easter candle burns bright. Parents and godparents light a baptismal candle from the Easter candle. They accept the responsibility of keeping the flame of faith alive in the heart of the newly baptized. Parents carry this candle home, where it may shine on baptismal anniversaries to symbolize the first news of the risen Christ.

We also light the Easter candle at funerals. In the midst of our grief, we call upon the symbols which enliven our faith. Several images of baptism reappear at the funeral: the sprinkling with holy water, the placing of a white pall (like a white garment) over the casket and the lighting of the Easter candle. Christ rose from the dead so that we too might pass from death to life. Every death reminds us of Easter. And every Easter gives us hope that death is not the end, but the passage from darkness to eternal light.

Copyright © 1997 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. Paul Turner, pastor of St. John Regis Parish in Kansas City, Mo., holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. His e-mail is PaulTu@aol.com.

[Salvation]

**So big is this message that it takes fifty days to celebrate. That Easter candle burns in our churches every day during those seven weeks, proclaiming: Christ is risen, and we too may rise!**

The Lord is Risen! Hope Springs Eternal!

[Salvation]

Finally found these prayers for the Service of Light and Exsultet:

	THE EASTER LITURGY
		THE VIGIL
	1	The president may introduce the Vigil using these or other appropriate words.
			Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this most holy night, in which our LordJesus Christ passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which through word and sacrament we share in his victory over death. As we await the risen Christ, let us hear the record of God's saving deeds in history, recalling how he saved his people in ages past and in the fullness of time sent his Son to be our Redeemer; and let us pray that through this Easter celebration God may bring to perfection in each of us the saving work he has begun.
	2	Any of the readings suggested at section 48 (with or without the accompanying psalms and prayers) or other suitable passages of Scripture may be used.
		THE SERVICE OF LIGHT
	3	The building being in darkness, the ministers go in silence, one of them carrying the unlit Easter candle.
	4	All stand and face the ministers. The president lights a taper.
	5	One or more of these prayers may be used.
	6		Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your onetrue light: set us aflame with the fire of your love, and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
	7		Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega, all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and power, through every age and for ever. Amen.
	8		By his holy and glorious wounds may Christ our Lord guard and keep us. Amen.
	9	The president lights the Easter candle with the taper saying
			May the light of Christ, rising in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
	10	The minister bearing the candle enters the building, followed by the other ministers, and they pause just inside the entrance.
	11	THE GOSPEL is read either here or at section 23.
	12	The minister bearing the candle raises it and says or sings
			The light of Christ.
		All	Thanks be to God.
	13	The procession moves further into the building and then stops. The versicle and response are repeated, and the candles of those around are lit from the Easter candle.
	14	The procession continues to the centre of the building and stops once more. The versicle and response are again repeated, and the candles of those around are lit.
	15	The Easter candle is placed on a stand in the midst of the building, and all other candles in the church are now lit.
	16	The minister may say
			Alleluia! Christ is risen.
		All	He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
	17	EXSULTET (the Easter Song of Praise) may be said or sung by a minister standing near the candle. For an alternative version see p. 287.
			Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice O earth in shining splendour, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever! Rejoice, O Mother Church, Exult in glory! The risen Saviour shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people!
		Minister	The Lord be with you.
		All	And also with you.
		Minister	Lift up your hearts.
		All	We lift them to the Lord.
		Minister	Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
		All	It is right to give him thanks and praise.
		Minister	It is indeed right that with full hearts and minds and voices we should praise you, the unseen God, the Father Almighty, and your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has ransomed us by his death, and paid for us the price of Adam's sin. For this is the Passover of that true Lamb of God, by whose blood the homes of all the faithful are hallowed and protected. This is the night when of old you saved our fathers, delivering the people of Israel from their slavery, and leading them dry-shod through the sea. This is the night when Jesus Christ vanquished hell and rose triumphant from the grave. This is the night when all who believe in him are freed from sin and restored to grace and holiness. Most blessed of all nights, when wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away, lost innocence regained, and mourning turned to joy. Night truly blessed, when heaven is wedded to earth and all creation reconciled to God! Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, accept our sacrifice of praise, your Church's solemn offering; and grant that this Easter candle make make our darkness light; for Christ the morning star has risen, never again to set, and is alive and reigns for ever and ever.
		All	Amen.

[Salvation]

Polish Easter Vigil Service

[Salvation]

BTTT on Holy Sautrday and Easter Vigil, 2005.