Sometimes a busy pastor or pastoral leader wants to skip the catechumenate rites and initiate a seeker quickly with no fuss. The temptation is understandable. But we know that bypassing the rites shortchanges the seeker’s conversion journey.

If you’re like me, you want to confront this resistance head on by citing liturgical law and official church teaching. We want to say, “These are the approved rites of the Church, and you have to do them.”

While that argument feels satisfying, it’s not likely to win the case or the person’s heart. If citing the law isn’t the solution, what then?

Watch this video to learn how to shift the conversation from “because the Church says so!” to something a bit more convincing. You’ll come away with a more effective, seeker-centered approach to helping your parish team see and experience the true, transformative power of the rites.