In the current TeamRCIA newsletter, we announced two Advent resources for faith formation—one for adults and one for children. What we neglected to do was give you link where you could find the resources! So here is the offer, with the appropriate links! (If you didn’t get the newsletter and you’d like a copy, sign […]
Someday I’ll learn to stop saying, “Now I’ve heard everything” when it comes to the RCIA. Because there’s always something new. You all probably know all about this, but I can be a little slow sometimes. A reader e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago to ask about several baptized Catholic children in her parish
“RCIC” as a sacramental catch up program
120 members of RCIA teams from northern California have just wrapped up a two-day institute (sponsored by the North American Forum on the Catechumenate and the dioceses of San Jose and Monterey). The institute focused on how to adapt the RCIA for children. Talking with some of the participants reminded me of something I wrote
RCIA for children is a family affair
Why do we need inquiry for children? In the cases of younger children, it seems pointless. The parents have made up the children’s minds for them. They will enter this process and finish it because their parents said so. Why not start these children with Christianity 101 and go on from there? Thanks for your
Why do children need an RCIA inquiry process?
In the Fall 2009 issue of the Forum Newsletter, children’s initiation expert, Fr. Tim Piaseki, says that the task of RCIA teams is to help children become friends with Jesus. How do people become friends? They spend time together. They have conversations with each other. They do things together. Little by little they come to
Help children in the RCIA to befriend Jesus
I have approximately ten children of various ages that have either been baptized only or have not been baptized. What is your recommendation on the process for initiating them and receiving them into full communion? Right now I put them in the appropriate grade and then work with them. How often should we meet and
Initiating and receiving children of various ages
My understanding is that in the children’s catechumenate, peer companions over the age of reason could be confirmed along with the catechumens. Is this true? Yes, it is a possibility. According to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, “Baptized children of the catechetical group may be completing their Christian initiation in the sacraments of
When should child companions be confirmed?
(Note from Nick: I asked Rita Burns Senseman to answer a question we recently received. She is a leading expert in children’s initiation. Thanks Rita!) Should young people in the RCIA attend regular religious education classes in addition to the catechesis and programs they take part in with the RCIA? It depends. In most instances,
Do child catechumens need both RCIA and religious ed classes?
The Rite of Acceptance adapted for children, as it appears in the RCIA, presumes the children’s parents will be serving as their sponsors (see 265). I suppose this is because the parents are required to give their consent. If they cannot be present at the rite to do so, they are to send a “sponsor”
Who sponsors child catechumens?
The key to catechizing children in the RCIA is this: The process of initiation [of child catechumens] thus must be adapted both to their spiritual progress…and to the catechetical instruction they receive. (RCIA 253, emphasis added) We can’t stress enough that the spiritual progress and instruction required for each child is unique. We must constantly
The key to adapting the RCIA for children
