Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
When we think about rites for baptized candidates who want to either complete their initiation or be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church, we tend to think of the optional rites in Part II of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. These rites somewhat echo the rites for unbaptized catechumens. While […]
Understanding the rites for baptized candidates
The journey of faith is a transformative experience for both unbaptized seekers and the Christian community. Along the way, seekers learn how to be disciples and missionaries of the gospel. The primary way that they learn this is through the rituals of the church. The rites for the unbaptized are not just add-ons to the
Embracing ritual: Why the rites for the unbaptized are essential
Who do you need on your team for catechumenate ministry? That’s what we’re going to discuss in week two of the speaker series, “Building Blocks of the Catechumenate.” While the Order (Rite) of Christian Initiation of Adults itself never uses the word “team,” anyone who has ever worked in this ministry knows it’s impossible to
It takes a parish: Assembling your catechumenate dream team
Did you know the United States has national guidelines for the catechumenate? In the current translation, they are in an appendix at the back of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. In the new translation, they will be right up front and much easier to find. The current statutes have been in effect since
Deeper look into the new National Statutes for catechumenate teams
As we get ready for the new translation of the initiation rites, I want to look at one major change we will need to implement However, this change isn’t new. It is already embedded in the current translation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. We may start using the new translation of the
The biggest change in the initiation rites
After more than two years of talking about it, we are on the cusp of receiving the new translation of the initiation rites. You can order it now, and it will ship on November 1, 2024. To get us ready, Team Initiation is hosting an amazing four-week speaker series called “Building Blocks of the Catechumenate.”
Building blocks of the catechumenate: Preparing for the new translation
It won’t come as a surprise to you that the number of Catholic parishes in the United States is declining. Some parishes have simply been closed, but many of them have been merged into a single, new parish. Merging parishes can be challenging, but it also offers an opportunity for growth and deeper unity. When
Uniting the catechumenate in merged parishes
In my last few articles, I’ve shared thoughts about what it means for individual catechists—and entire parishes—to move from comfort to mission. Pope Francis challenges us to go forth—to step outside the safe, familiar routines we’ve grown accustomed to and to risk getting “bruised” for the sake of the gospel. Now I want to ask,
Can your parish change the world? What would happen if…?
In a previous article, we explored how each of us, as catechists, is called to move beyond our comfort zones and embrace the audacity of faith in our personal lives. Pope Francis has challenged us to be bold, to risk being “bruised” for the sake of the gospel rather than remaining “ill” within the confines
From maintenance to mission: Revitalizing our parishes for the future
In a previous article, we discussed what it might mean for us as catechists to step outside our comfort zones. Now, let’s ask a more challenging question: What would happen if our parishes decided to step outside their comfort zones? Pope Francis doesn’t just want you and me to go out, to venture to the
Can our parishes truly become missionary?
