One of the most powerful aspects of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is its emphasis on immersing those seeking Christ into a living, active parish community. The rite teaches that faith is not merely a set of intellectual beliefs, but a way of life that is learned through participation and example. The Mystical […]
The call to community: paragraph 75.2
As parish catechumenate leaders, the church expects us to provide an appropriate catechesis for the catechumens. The directives in OCIA 75.1 describe what an appropriate catechesis looks like. Let’s take a look at what it says. 1. Divided into steps and fully presented OCIA 75.1 emphasizes the need for a catechesis that is “divided into
Forming hearts through God’s Word: paragraph 75.1
We have some good news to share! Some of you may have already heard that the new translation of the initiation rites has been officially approved and is scheduled for publication later this year. Publishers may start selling copies of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults on All Saints Day, November 1, 2024. So
Get ready for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Ever since the English-speaking world become aware that the initiation rites would be retranslated, folks have been asking us, “Are you going to change your name?” When we launched TeamRCIA back in 2007, we might have chosen a different name if we had known that the title of the rite would change from “Rite of
TeamRCIA is proclaiming Christ through a new name
Q: If we only have one catechumen, would we still dismiss them? That puts a lot of attention on that one catechumen and on the team. We have to be sure they arrive on time and check in so we know that they are there. We have to alert the musician and presider that we
Q&A: When you have only one catechumen, do you dismiss them?
We often hear people say they feel uncomfortable dismissing catechumens from the Mass because it seems inhospitable. So they choose not to do it. But skipping the dismissal of catechumens is like omitting the end of the Mass for the baptized! It’s the way catechumens are co-missioned with the faithful from the Mass to do
Don’t dismiss the dismissal of catechumens
The mystagogical period, when the newly initiated deepen their understanding through reflection on their lived experiences of ritual, is a profound and rewarding aspect of Christian initiation ministry. This process of mystagogy is especially powerful when working with children and youth. Young people seem to possess an innate openness and sensitivity to spiritual mysteries that
Children, initiation, and mystagogy
You can get reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here.Sixth Sunday of EasterBackground: This Sunday’s gospel selection continues the emphasis upon how God in the risen Christ is always caring for us; the other readings remind us that God’s cares for people whom we think are supposed to be outside his love. Christ’s
Many of us on parish catechumenate teams have been stuck in a school mindset for far too long. We’ve gotten comfortable with the school model — where there are teachers and students, a defined curriculum, and a clear beginning and end to the process. But Pope Francis is calling us to embrace a new paradigm,
Moving from teachers to accompanists in the catechumenate process
As parish catechumenate ministers, we have the privilege of accompanying catechumens on their journey of faith. This process of initiation is a profound gift not only for the catechumens themselves, but for the entire parish community. Free download: Best practices for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults The dismissal of the catechumens A key
The power of the dismissal: Catechumens as teachers in the church
