Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
The suspension of Triduum liturgies, especially the Easter Vigil, have left some RCIA teams foundering and wondering what to do with the elect during the period of mystagogy. If we look at the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the section on mystagogy, we will discover or rediscover a few key points. First, the […]
RCIA mystagogy when there have been no baptisms
I want to tell you a story about delight. This past Christmas and New Year’s, Diana and I went to the Philippines for a family event. Our return trip included a 14-hour layover at Haneda airport in Japan. We arrived at Haneda exhausted. We made our way through security and then customs. We wearily found
How delightful is your RCIA process?
My beginnings in initiation ministry had two phases. I went to school to learn about liturgy, and my first parish job included planning and coordinating the rites for the catechumenate. I felt pretty confident about that role. Many years later, I moved to California for a non-parish job. I volunteered for to help out on
How to grow your confidence as an RCIA team member
(This blog post was originally pubished here in English.) ¡Muchas Felicidades! A usted y a su equipo de RICA han trabajado muy duro en la preparación de los catecúmenos y candidatos para que estén listos para este momento que les cambiaria la vida. Considere este un abrazo virtual y palmaditas en la espalda por toda su
Que esperar de la Vigilia Pascual
Nehemiah, an officer in the 5th century BC Persian Empire, was feeling distressed. The emperor had granted Nehemiah’s request to help the Jewish remnant who still lived among the ruins of Jerusalem to rebuild the city. But, when he arrived, the situation was dire. Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs, and Philistines had grown powerful in the land
Encouragement is a core value for catechumenate teams
We all know the parable of the talents (Mt 25:-14-30). The master of the house is going on a road trip. On his way out the door, he gives some of his money to three of his servants. It seems to be some kind of financial planning test because they are given different amounts, “each
Our call to RCIA ministry is a call to holiness
Diana and I recently had a one-week vacation in Japan. About a week before we left, Diana picked up a Japanese phrase book and learned a few simple words and dialogues. I convinced myself that I didn’t have time to add one more thing to my to-do list before leaving. We were going to be
Are you fluent in “RCIA seeker language”?
A while ago, I tried a new recipe that called for coconut oil. It was the first I’d heard of that kind of oil. Over my many years in the kitchen, I’ve expanded my repertoire beyond to Wesson Oil my mother used for cooking and the Crisco my grandmother used for baking. California olive oils
Five times to anoint a catechumen during the initiation process
We received another e-mail last week about what we are supposed to teach in the RCIA process. We get that question frequently, and we’ve answered it many times. I understand why RCIA team members, especially new team members, are focused on that question. But it really is the last question we need to ask. Educator
Have you asked all four of these questions about your RCIA teaching process?
As I sit down to write this post, I’m a bit distracted. In less than a week, we are leaving for a vacation in Japan. I am nervous and excited. My mind spins with equal force around the adventures we’ll have and possible things that could go wrong. I bought travel insurance, including medical and
10 times to pray with an RCIA catechumen who is struggling
