Articles
Why the RCIA period of mystagogy is crucial for your neophytes
We have said many times before that mystagogy takes place throughout the entire catechumenate. If that’s so, why is there a particular period of the catechumenate specifically named “mystagogy”? To understand that, we have to understand how liturgy relates to catechesis. The church teaches that the liturgy is “the privileged place for catechizing the People
Why the RCIA period of mystagogy is crucial for your neophytes
Illuminating Christ: How to be a mystagogue
I don’t know if it’s just from celebrating so many Catholic liturgies over my lifetime, but I can’t look at fire—or the light and shadow cast by the sun, or an eclipse, or the full moon, or the candle on my dinner table—without thinking of the fire we light at the Easter Vigil. On the
Illuminating Christ: How to be a mystagogue
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers: Easter through the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Introduction to Eastertime In the post-Vatican II reform of the Roman liturgy, Easter became not a day but a season. The Sundays are not named as “after” Easter but rather “of” Easter. We must not subdivide this season into chunks but celebrate its overall flow. Because the different New Testament writers approached their proclamation of
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Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers: Easter through the Fourth Sunday of Easter
What does baptism do? A mystagogy on the sacramental act of washing
Someone recently asked on Facebook, “What is the Easter Vigil for?” The person asking is from a Christian tradition that does not usually celebrate baptisms at the Vigil. If you’re old enough, you will remember when that was true for Roman Catholics. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was issued shortly after Vatican II,
What does baptism do? A mystagogy on the sacramental act of washing
Q&A: What is the process for receiving Eastern Rite Christians?
Q. We have a candidate who received all of her sacraments in the Eastern Orthodox Church and wants to become Roman Catholic. She has been attending our sessions so that she understands the nuances and differences. When is it best to have her do the Profession of Faith? (We celebrate reception and sacraments for our
Q&A: What is the process for receiving Eastern Rite Christians?
Is the pandemic making RCIA too convenient?
There are two dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first is the danger of serious physical illness. And the second is the danger of convenience. We will eventually overcome the physical danger. But the danger of convenience may linger. Many pastoral leaders are already worried about what will happen to their Sunday gatherings when
Is the pandemic making RCIA too convenient?
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers — 3rd Sunday in Lent to 5th Sunday in Lent, Year A
Introduction to the Third to Fifth Sundays in Lent: For three Sundays the Gospel selections from John are part of the final, intense preparation of those called to the Easter sacraments of initiation. The scrutiny celebrated each Sunday is meant to help them “achiev(e) an intimate knowledge of Christ” by “progress(ing) in genuine self-knowledge through
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Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers — 3rd Sunday in Lent to 5th Sunday in Lent, Year A
Seven ways catechumenate teams can make Holy Saturday holier
1. Don’t rehearse the Easter Vigil Almost everywhere, parishes are planning to rehearse the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. I know this is going to be hard to hear, but we have to stop making Holy Saturday a work day. It is a day of prayer, reflection, and fasting (see paragraph 185 of the Order
Seven ways catechumenate teams can make Holy Saturday holier
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers — 3rd Sunday in Lent to Palm Sunday, Year B
Introduction to the Third to Fifth Sundays in Lent: The Johannine Gospels for the three middle Sundays in Lent for Year B pursue the same themes as those of Year A: how Jesus brings us in his person cleansing from sin, true light, and new life. Again, we learn each Sunday of God’s compassionate love,
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Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers — 3rd Sunday in Lent to Palm Sunday, Year B
