Diana Macalintal is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
Nick and I are on a trip to Europe, currently in Paris. And all along the way, we’ve been noticing how traveling in a different country relates closely to the journey seekers make in the catechumenate process. In this video post, Nick and Diana explore three practical ways that you can help make the catechumens’
What traveling teaches us about the journey of faith
As we accompany catechumens on their journey of faith, we’re always looking for good sources for catechesis. There’s one source we might be overlooking that is right in front of our eyes! Frank Lloyd Wright, the great architect, was often quoted as saying, “We create our buildings. Then they create us.” We can say the
How the doors of your church create disciples
What does love for the poor have to do with Christian initiation? According to Pope Leo XIV, everything! As catechumenate ministers, we are always concerned with handing on the faith, dogmas, and precepts of our Catholic tradition. But if we are not teaching that love for the poor is at the heart and center of
Why care for the poor is essential to initiation in Christ
As we enter into the last part of the liturgical year, this is a good time for catechumenate ministers to think about how to help catechumens, candidates, and all the faithful understand time in a new way. Because as Christians, we encounter “God’s time” in a different way than we do with our everyday activities.
How Catholics think about time
Catechumenate ministers often ask us what the best resource is for teaching catechumens and candidates. And the answer we give might be surprising! The best and perhaps least utilized resource for teaching our faith is the liturgical year. And this year, we have two great, unique opportunities to encounter Christ in the cross and the
How the liturgical year teaches us about the cross and the font
In the Catholic tradition, we call the Eucharist “food for the journey.” But there is another food that feeds us just as powerfully and richly. At the beginning of a catechumen’s journey of faith, we are reminded that the Word of God is a rich fare upon which we all feast. Hearing the Word is how we
Food for the journey of catechumens
If the first time your parishioners meet a seeker is at the celebration of the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate, you’ve missed an important opportunity! But if you spend time in the months and weeks before the rite to give your seekers an “experience of the company and spirit of Christians” (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults 42), that will
Preparing the parish for the Rite for Entrance into the Catechumenate
So you have a catechumenate rite coming up, and you might be wondering how to get your parishioners more engaged, more involved, and just plain excited about that rite! It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s one that you can handle if you pay attention to three things you need. The key is to help your
Three ways to get parishioners engaged in the catechumenate rites
You did it! You made it through the Easter Triduum, and all your Elect have now been initiated into Christ. Congratulations! But now is not the time to take a break. You still have some work to do during the Period of Mystagogy. In this short video, Diana takes you through some of the ways to keep
Your team’s work during the Period of Mystgogy
At every baptism, and especially baptism during the Easter Vigil, the Litany of Saints is an important part of the baptismal rite. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults gives us several directives and options for the Litany of Saints and how to incorporate the names of the saints of your parish and region and
Can you include other names in the Litany of Saints?
