Q: I am confused as to which Mass I should have used for the Enrollment
of Catechumens on the First Sunday of Lent.
Under the First Sunday of Lent, the rubric says it’s the Ritual Mass:
“On this Sunday is celebrated the rite of “election” or “enrollment of
names” for the catechumens who are to be admitted to the Sacraments of
Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil, using the proper prayers and
intercessions as given below. pp. xxxx
But the rubric before the Ritual Mass seems to imply it is the Sunday Mass:
“The rite of “election” or “enrollment of names” for catechumens who
are to be admitted to the Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the
Easter Vigil should be celebrated during the Mass of the First Sunday
of Lent (p. xxx)t. If, for pastoral reasons, it is celebrated apart
from this Sunday, the Mass that follows may be used with the color
violet on any day except those listed in nos. 1-4 of the Table of
Liturgical Days. The Mass of the Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent (p.
xxx) may also be used.”
Since the RCIA book seemed to say that the Mass of the First Sunday
should be used, I went with that, but I am wondering if I did the
correct thing. Am I missing something?…..your help is appreciated!
With thanks and prayers for a fruitful Lent,
==
A: I see the source of the confusion. It looks like the rubrics throw you into an endless loop of turning the pages back and forth.
I’m saying you did the right thing. If you compare the introductory remarks for the Ritual Mass for the Rite of Election with the ones for the Scrutinies, it becomes clearer what to do.