By Catherine Wan
Sep 27 2022
KOTA KINABALU – The Rite of Acceptance for enquirers into the order of catechumens was carried out before Sunset and Sunday Masses in English, Chinese and BM respectively on 17 and 18 Sep at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Those who desire to know and follow Christ at a deeper level were welcome formally by parish priest, Fr Paul Lo.
Enquirers are those who, after the period of first contact over several months, desire to become members of the Catholic Church. They then decide to enter the period of catechumenate (initial conversion) to prepare themselves to receive baptism and other sacraments of initiation (confirmation and Holy Communion).
This year saw 21 enquirers from the Sacred Heart Cathedral and four from Church of Mary Immaculate, who received the Rite of Acceptance during Sunset Mass on 17 Sep, while 10 from Chinese RCIA and 58 from BM RCIA were accepted to become catechumens through the Rite on 18 Sep.
The ritual, which took place at the church entrance, included a short dialogue between the enquirers and the parish priest on their readiness to begin the journey of faith in Christ.
In response, the sponsors, who accompanied the enquirers, affirmed to help them in following Christ.
This was followed by the celebrant making the sign of the cross over them after explaining to them what the sign of the cross entailed, followed by the sponsors placing a chain with a cross over their head as a symbol that they have been accepted as catechumens.
Meanwhile, the whole community were on their feet to welcome the enquirers, now called as catechumens, who were invited to enter the Church, accompanied by their sponsors.
Then the catechumens, who have been initiated into the way of Christ, took their designated seats and proceeded to listen to the Word of God.
After the homily, the celebrant presented the Bible to each catechumen saying: “Receive the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”.
Intercessions for the catechumens were made to empower them to move forward until they come to share fully the Christian way of life through the sacraments of initiation.
The catechumenate period will last until the catechumens have fully received the sacraments of initiation on Easter Vigil/Day next year.
