Rite of Christian Reception of Adults
Celebration of Reception

   Persons who complete the Rite of Christian Reception and choose to join the Catholic Church are received into full communion by making a Profession of Faith, receiving Eucharist and being confirmed.  This celebration usually takes place during a weekend Mass in the local parish where the pastor is presiding.

Celebration of Reception

The official Rite of Reception begins with an invitation from the priest:

...Of your own free will you have asked to be received into the full
   communion of the Catholic Church. 
You have made your decision after careful thought under the guidance of
   the Holy Spirit.
I now invite you to come forward with your sponsor and in the presence of
   this community to profess the Catholic faith.
In this faith you will be one with us for the first time at the Eucharistic table
   of the Lord Jesus, the sign of the Church's unity.

The candidate then joins the rest of the assembly in reciting the Nicene Creed:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of
   all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God,
   born of the Father before all ages.
   God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not
   made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.
   For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by
   the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and
   was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the
   Scriptures.
   He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
   He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his
   kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
   who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the
   Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
   I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to
   the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

At the conclusion of the Creed, the priest asks the candidate to make the following profession of faith:

I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches
   and proclaims to be revealed by God.

The priest lays his right hand on the head of the candidate and says:

... the Lord receives you into the Catholic Church.
His loving kindness has led you here, so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit
   you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have
   professed in the presence of his family.

Confirmation

If the candidate is to be confirmed, the priest lays both of his hands on the candidate's head and prays:

All powerful God, Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy
   Spirit you freed your son/daughter from sin and gave (him)(her) new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon (him)(her) to be (his)(her) helper and guide.
Give him/her the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right
   judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence.  Fill (him)
   (her) with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

The candidate is then anointed with the Oil of Chrism, at which time the priest says:

...be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
The candidate responds:
Amen.
The priest then greets the candidate with the words:
The peace of the Lord be with you.
The candidate responds:
And with your spirit.

_________________________________

Back to RCRA Main Page

•   •   •

For more information, contact the Director of Faith Formation
in one of the Waterloo parishes, or:
Adult Formation Office 320 Mulberry Street • Waterloo IA 50703.
Phone: 319-234-9912 • Email: <DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Last Update: 01.23.12