Q: My colleague and I have been discussing how to interpret a specific phrase in the RCIA rite at the Easter Mass. When calling the names of the elect and praying the litany of the Saints, there are directions regarding if there is to be a procession to the font, the baptisms are to happen immediately at the font, or the baptisms take place “in the sanctuary”. (Forgive me if these are not the exact wording–I am off today and left my book at work yesterday.) I was interpreting “sanctuary” in the strict sense of the word, meaning the location of the altar and tabernacle, as opposed to elsewhere in the church. She was interpreting it in a broader sense, referring to the (nave of the) church in general, as opposed to a separate baptistry. The interpretation affects the order of the calling of the elect, whether they will process, and when the litany wll be sung. Can you please help us interpret this?
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A: You are correct. The sanctuary in this case means just that. The RCIA provides an option of setting up a temporary font in the sanctuary of churches where the baptistry would be hidden from view.
See General Introduction: Christian Initiation 19 and RCIA 218.