What is the church’s position on baptizing adults that are traveling often and do not have time for a formal RCIA program? They are aware of all Catholic precepts but lack the formal baptism and confirmation but faithfully seek these sacraments. Any help would be appreciated. This is a great question that sends us back […]
How to catechize a frequent flier catechumen
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?
I was in a parish outside my diocese recently, and I read a bulletin announcement similar to one that appears in thousands of parishes every Sunday. The announcement invited all those who had never been baptized, or who had been baptized in another tradition, or who had been baptized Catholic but not received the sacraments
Why no one should join the RCIA
I’m going to tell you the secret to starting and sustaining a successful RCIA team: Break bad habits That’s it. That’s all there is to it. Sounds too simple to be true? Well, you’re partly right about that. It sounds simple, but it is also difficult. Have you ever told a smoker to stop smoking?
The secret to a successful RCIA team
Here’s the scenario: You’ve just finished a long but wonderful Easter Vigil. After months of weekly meetings, leading dismissal sessions, and doing discernment interviews, all the Elect have been baptized, and you’re looking forward to the last few gatherings of the RCIA post-Triduum before you take a well-deserved summer break. As you’re gathering up all
How will you respond this Easter to visitors interested in the Catholic Church?
Free download: Why Baptized Candidates Should Not be Received at the Easter Vigil Your turn What are the best practices you’ve learned in your parish? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Free download: Why Baptized Candidates Should Not be Received at the Easter Vigil
32 best RCIA practices for Easter Vigil
We have a new pastor, and he told us that we are not supposed to be confirming adult Catholics at the Easter Vigil. If confirmation is an initiation sacrament, what’s wrong with celebrating it at the Vigil? Your question raises a larger issue of who should be celebrating sacraments at the Easter Vigil. I’ve seen
Should we confirm Catholics at the Easter Vigil?
The Year of Saint Paul Reading II 1 Cor 10:31-11:1 Brothers and sisters, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God…. The way of faith To proclaim the faith and to plant his reign, Christ sends his apostles and their successors. He gives them a share in
Catechesis for 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B
I recently read this line in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: The sacrament of baptism cannot be repeated and therefore it is not permitted to confer it again conditionally, unless there is a reasonable doubt about the fact or validity of the baptism already conferred. If serious investigation raises such prudent doubt and
Conditional baptism? Three interesting thoughts
