2. What is the difference between teaching adults or children the Sacraments of Initiation?

Similarities between the RCIA and the Christian Initiation of Children:

  • Like the adults, these children enter into a process that can sometimes take more      than a year until they receive the Sacraments.
  • The process for children is marked by several liturgical steps, as is the process for adults.
  • The liturgical rites for children are similar to the adult rites, including the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, the optional Rite of Election, the Penitential Rites or Scrutinies, and the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.
  • The adults belong to a group of adults who are to receive their sacraments.  Likewise, the children should belong to a group of children who will be receiving the Sacraments with them.
  •  Both adults and children receive the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

 

Differences between RCIA and the Christian Initiation of Children:

  • For the children, “at the rites during the process of initiation it is generally preferable not to have the whole parish community present, but simply represented” with parents and sponsors present (RCIA 257).  This is to avoid having the children feel uncomfortable in the presence of a large group
  • Parents play an active role along with the sponsors in the process, and parental permission is required for the children to be initiated.