Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Sorting It All Out: Children and Adults in the Initiation Process
8. Validly baptized and catechized non-Catholic child of 12 years of age
Charles, aged 12, was baptized in the Lutheran tradition. He is catechized and attends the local Lutheran church. Together with his parents, Charles has asked to be received into the Roman Catholic Church. After an appropriate time of inquiry, on the part of Charles himself, his parents, and the church, catechesis for his reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church begins.
Rite used: Rite of Reception into Full Communion of the Catholic Church
Title: Candidate for Full Communion
Definition: a child of catechetical age, validly baptized in another tradition, and catechized in that tradition.
Age: 7 and above
Process: Adapted to the individual needs and the prior formation experience of the child. Since Charles and his family are catechized already, he can simply be received into the church and placed in the religious formation program of the parish.
Time of Celebration: Any Sunday Eucharist. Confirmation and First Eucharistic are celebrated at the same Mass, after the simple profession of faith. Later on, at the time his peers are confirmed, he can take part in all the preparatory work, and at the ceremony, be presented to the bishop for a blessing.
Minister: The parish priest is the presider.
Faculty to Confirm: No delegation is required.
Record Keeping: Charles' name is entered into the parish registers of Baptism (with notation of Reception into Full Communion, non-Catholic baptism and minister), Confirmation and First Communion
References: RCIA Part II: 1,5; NS 18, 19, 30, 32-37
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