On the journey of faith, discernment is a shared responsibility. The catechumenate process isn’t just about sponsors and catechists evaluating seekers as though we are the gatekeepers of God’s grace. Discernment is a collaborative effort whereby seekers actively participate in discerning the will of the Holy Spirit for their own next steps. Our job is not to tell seekers what the Holy Spirit intends for them. Rather, our job is to accompany the seekers as they learn how to read and interpret the signs of the Spirit.

Empowering seekers to reflect on their own journey

The primary way in which seekers will interpret the promptings of the Holy Spirit is through mystagogical catechesis. Mystagogical catechesis is simply the process of taking time to reflect deeply on an encounter the seeker has had with Christ. One of the most powerful tools in the catechumenate is encouraging seekers to reflect on their spiritual journey. This article explains the details of how to lead a mystagogical reflection: What is Mystagogy?

Though a mystagogical reflection process, we ask the seekers to remember an encounter with Christ and focus on what moved them. By gently going deeper into that memory, we will discover along with the seekers what the Holy Spirit is saying to them or teaching them in that encounter.

The conversations we have with the seekers around their spiritual encounters enable them to articulate their experiences, fostering a deeper awareness of the action of the Spirit in their lives. Through this mystagogical process, the seekers gain clarity about their readiness for next steps.

The conversations we have with the seekers around their spiritual encounters enable them to articulate their experiences, fostering a deeper awareness of the action of the Spirit in their lives.

Begin with five questions

It is also helpful to set up a plan before embarking together on a journey of faith with a seeker. I wrote a short book on five questions to ask seekers during the inquiry process. You can see more about it here: Seek the Living God: Five RCIA Inquiry Questions for Making Disciples.

The short version is to spend some time deeply listening to seekers when we first meet them. We ask them deeper and deeper versions of these five questions:

1. Where have you been?
2. Where are you now?
3. Where do you want to get to?
4. How will you get there?
5. How will you know you have arrived?

Based on these conversations, you can develop a unique, flexible road map or faith formation plan for each seeker. As you embark on the journey of faith together, the seeker will encounter the mystery of Christ. As you unpack those encounters together, though a mystagogical reflection process, you can either confirm or adjust the faith formation plan.

Ongoing dialogue and feedback

The formation journey is not a one-size-fits-all process. And even after you work together to create a unique road map for the seeker, it is not a finished process. The journey of faith requires an ongoing dialogue. Regular conversations between seekers and their sponsors or catechists create space for processing experiences, asking questions, receiving feedback, and discerning next steps.

These dialogues should be two-way streets. While seekers share their reflections, accompanists can offer insights, ask probing questions, and provide encouragement. This back-and-forth helps the seeker clarify how the Holy Spirit is leading them toward full discipleship and sacramental initiation.

Navigating challenges

Even with collaborative discernment, challenges can arise. Here are couple of the most common ones.

A seeker feels ready, but you have doubts

This situation requires delicate handling. It’s important to honor the seeker’s feelings while also addressing any concerns. Here are some strategies:

1. Open dialogue: Have an honest conversation about why the seeker feels ready and why you have reservations.

2. Specific feedback: Provide concrete examples of areas where growth might still be needed. Here it can be helpful to refer back to the formation plan that they helped create for themselves.

3. Collaborative goal-setting: Work together to identify steps that could address any gaps in readiness. This is an update of the road map or faith formation plan.

4. Patience and prayer: Encourage the seeker to pray for more guidance from the Holy Spirit. And you pray too!  Remind the seeker and yourself that we are all subject to the Holy Spirit’s timeline.

External pressures

Sometimes, external factors like family expectations or impending deadlines can rush the discernment process. For example, a seeker might want to “become Catholic” in time for a wedding. No one strategy is going to work in every situation, but here are some suggestions:

1. Clear communication: Explain the importance of genuine readiness to take on the responsibilities of discipleship.

2. Flexible timelines: Remind everyone that the catechumenate is not bound to a specific schedule. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults says, “The duration of the catechumenate will depend on the grace of God…. The time spent in the catechumenate should be long enough — several years if necessary — for the conversion and faith of the catechumens to become strong” (76).

3. Pastoral sensitivity: Of course, quoting the rite to Grandma, who insists that her grandchild must be initiated by a certain date, is not going to be effective. We have to find ways to be attentive to cultural or family dynamics that might be influencing the situation.

4. Focus on the journey: Help seekers and their families understand that the process of growing in faith is as important as the sacramental moments themselves. This initial phase of the journey of faith really is a once in a lifetime experience. It shouldn’t be rushed.

Authentic discernment requires us to pay attention to the Holy Spirit and to be in constant dialogue with the seekers as we accompany them.

Conclusion

Collaborative discernment in the catechumenate is a grace-filled experience. Unfortunately, it can sometimes also be fraught-filled. Authentic discernment requires us to pay attention to the Holy Spirit and to be in constant dialogue with the seekers as we accompany them. By empowering seekers to actively participate in their own discernment, providing tools for mystagogical reflection, and navigating challenges with patience and flexibility, we will help the seekers reach their goal.

Remember, the goal is not to just get the sacraments but to foster genuine, lifelong discipleship. As we engage in this collaborative discernment process, we not only guide seekers but also deepen our own faith, learning to recognize the subtle movements of the Spirit in our midst.

Can you help me out?

I would really love to know what you are doing in your ministry. In your catechumenate ministry, how have you implemented collaborative discernment? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Your stories can help other catechumenate teams in their ministry.