do you know the catholic church has a ceremony of the elect?

Question

a few years ago i received communion at the ceremony of the elect. its a special ceremony only those invited may partake.

Answer 1

You must be a big donator.

Answer 2

I am a Catholic of long standing and have never heard of this which seems to me to be snobbish, any Catholic in the state of grace can partake of the Eucharist at any time there is Mass,and to have ``special ceremonies were only the select few are invited really does not sit well in my mind.

I have discovered that you meant the ``Rite of Election`` which is held for Catechumens(un-baptized) and Candidates( already baptized but now entering full communion with the church) although this is usually done at Easter.

Answer 3

Are you talking about the rite of election? Here is a newspaper account of one that took place last year:

"For the celebration of election, the catechumens and their godparents gathered in a semi-circle in front of the altar and Cullen presented them to the bishop. The godparents affirmed that the catechumens were sufficiently prepared to be enrolled among the elect, had begun to walk in God's presence and had joined their Christian brothers and sisters in prayer. The congregation affirmed that they were ready to accept the testimony about the catechumens and include them in their prayers and affection.

"The catechumens expressed their wish to enter fully into the life of the church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. Each came forward to write his or her name in the book of the elect.

"The candidates then came forward and were presented toÊFliss. Their sponsors also affirmed that the candidates were prepared to share fully in the sacraments of the church. Fliss, in the act of recognition that followed, recognized their desire to have a place at Christ's eucharistic table.

"With incense rising from a large brazier placed beside the altar, Fliss led intercessions for the elect and the candidates and then prayed over them.

. . .

"Following the rite of election, the next steps in becoming Catholics for Johnson and Levine will be baptism, confirmation and First Communion. These ceremonies will take place in the home parishes of the catechumens and candidates during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday."

You see it's nothing terribly mysterious.

Answer 4

You are misinformed. The "ceremony of the elect", actually the "Rite of Election", is simply an official acceptance of those who are participating in the RCIA program, that is to say, those who are preparing to enter the Catholic Church. The ceremony is usually held at one of the Sunday Masses, with the full congregation present. I teach the RCIA course in my own parish.

Answer 5

I think you mean the Rite of Election. It is one of the rituals that those who are preparing to for initiation participate in. Often it takes place during Sunday mass, but sometimes it is a seperate ceremony. And usually, all are welcome; not sure why the one you attended was "invite only."

[EDIT - correction... the Rite of Election normally takes place at the cathedral and since it isn't the "usual" Sunday mass, the only people who attend are usually those who were invited. It can, however, take place at a parish church.]

Answer 6

You seem to be mis-informed, or have some other agenda.
The closest thing which corresponds is the 'Rite of Election'.
The 'Elect' are those preparing to be admitted to the Church.
This is an ancient ceremony, prior to their actual Baptism.
This is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation.

You may have been invited by the family members involved.

Answer 7

Yes.

Persons becoming Catholics in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) have been elected (chosen) by God to receive the sacraments of initiation.

On the First Sunday of Lent and with their bishop, they participate in the Rite of Election and are called the "elect" until they are baptized, confirmed, and have received the Eucharist of the first time at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night.

http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0502.asp

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

No. I have never heard of that. In fact, I just googled it and came up with nothing. I also checked the online Catholic encyclopedia. Nothing. You sure you just didn't eat some bad mushrooms?

Answer 9

You sound proud of yourself. Isn't pride supposed to be a "sin?"

Answer 10

Do you know that I am a Priest and I teach seminary-level Catholic theology and I have no idea what you are even talking about. Please elaborate.