The Rite of Election is a great reminder for us of how discernment works in the Church. Often it is easy for us to say that a person had prayed and decided they want to do X, in this case, be initiated into the Catholic Church, and that is all that should matter. The Rite of Election reminds us that this is not the case. The Church “makes its ‘election’, that is, the choice and admission of those catechumens who have the dispositions that make them fit to take part, at the next major celebration, in the sacraments of initiation”. (RCIA, 119). The Church as a whole makes that choice and the Church, as a whole, calls the catechumens to initiation.
This choice however is not made in a vacuum. It is based on testimony and on reaffirmation of intentions. In fact, in the liturgy itself, first the godparents are asked “As God as your witness, do you consider these candidates worthy to be admitted to the sacraments of Christian initiation?” (RCIA, 131). They must answer in the affirmative. The whole community then has the opportunity to affirm the testimony of the godparents. Then, the catechumens are asked “…do you wish to enter fully into the life of the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the eucharist” (RCIA, 132). They must answer in the affirmative. Only then are the catechumens invited to offer their names for enrollment and declared members of the elect.
What does this all mean for us as catechists? It means a few things that I think are worth some reflection.
First, it means that godparents matter. We need to make sure those acting as godparents understand what it is they are signing up for. They need to be able to make that attestation at the Rite of Election. This highlights for all of us the important role they play in the life of the catechumen and, eventually, the neophyte Catholic.
Second, it means that the whole community has a role to play in the lives of the catechumens. Throughout the Rite of Election, it is made clear that the catechumens cannot do this alone, they need our help, support, and prayers.
Finally, it means that it is important to understand that being Catholic is not just about having a relationship with God, or even the parish Church. The Rite of Election, because it is a diocesan Mass, highlights the role of the larger Church community. The whole Church is called on to call these catechumens to the Sacraments. That requires trust and faith in our brothers and sisters who are making attestations on their behalf.
The final line in the introduction to the Intercessions for the Elect sums this all up beautifully: “Let us pray to the Lord for them [the elect] and or ourselves, that we may be renewed by one another’s efforts and together come to share in the joys of Easter.”
Rebecca Spellacy | Director of Worship
