Igniting faith: The apprenticeship model in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

2 thoughts on “Igniting faith: The apprenticeship model in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults”

  1. You say to prioritize accompaniment over classes, but how are they to “learn” the doctrines, etc.? The sponsors who accompany them to all of these parish activities and events are not always equipped to hand on these doctrines and principles of the faith. It seems to me there still needs to be both things happening, the involvement in activities and the classes. It has always been the job of the sponsors to involve the seekers in the parish at the personal level. Training the sponsors to do this better seems what is necessary. I have trouble envisioning how the coordinator of the OCIA would have the time or ability to accompany all of the various seekers to parish activities. If you have suggestions for how this should happen, please let me know. Thank you very much. I am open to changes.

  2. Hi Kathy. Your concern about doctrinal learning is absolutely valid. Let me directly address how doctrine is actually transmitted in this apprenticeship model.

    The Directory for Catechesis teaches that: “the ritual itinerary of Christian initiation is an actualized process of doctrine that not only takes place in the Church, but constitutes her” (69). This means doctrine isn’t something separate from lived experience — it’s embodied and transmitted through the very life of the Christian community.

    Formal classes can be helpful, but they aren’t the primary or most effective way of handing on the faith. For most Christians, doctrine is learned through:
    • Participation in the liturgy
    • Experiencing the community’s life
    • Witnessing how faith transforms lives
    • Engaging in the church’s sacramental and communal rhythms

    The liturgy itself becomes the most powerful “classroom.” The Directory teaches that the liturgy is the “privileged place for catechizing the People of God” (96). Through liturgical participation, seekers gradually absorb the depth of Catholic teaching — not through lectures, but through embodied experience.

    Sponsors accompany seekers not by becoming theology experts, but by modeling discipleship. They show how doctrine becomes lived reality — how beliefs translate into daily actions of faith, hope, and love.

    This doesn’t mean doctrinal learning is absent. It means doctrine is learned more holistically — through immersion, example, and communal life rather than classroom instruction.
    Your insight about sponsor training is excellent. The goal is helping sponsors become more intentional about their witness, showing how faith principles come to life.

    We also have to remember that we are initiation ministers and catechists. There will be many, many opportunities for ongoing catechesis throughout the lives of the seekers after initiation. Our goal is to give the seekers an initial catechesis — “a suitable knowledge of the doctrines and precepts” (OCIA 75.1).

    That should cause us to ask, “Suitable for what?” The seekers have to have enough knowledge to be able to live as missionary disciples. To know what that means, we turn to the story of the Women at the Well, or the disciples on the road to Emmaus, or Peter jumping out of the boat when he saw Jesus on the water, or many, many other examples of initial faith.

    What caused each of these disciples to say “yes” to Christ and become missionaries was an intimate knowledge of the mystery and person of Jesus Christ. That kind of knowledge is acquired primarily by deep immersion into the living Body of Christ in the Christian community and especially in the liturgical presence of Christ.

    This article might be helpful if you’d like to read more: https://teaminitiation.com/2015/05/how-to-use-your-parish-as-your-rcia-textbook/

    Also, you might want to see this book: Your Parish Is the Curriculum: https://teaminitiation.com/presents/best-books/ypitc/

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