The last Easter Sunday Mass that St. Augustine celebrated was in 430 AD, when he was 75 years old. In those days, 75 was more like 100 is today. Augustine must have been very tired from having concluded the long Easter Vigil just a few hours before. After his brief homily, the catechumens were dismissed […]
Why the participation of the elect in the Easter Vigil is so important
Someone recently asked on Facebook, “What is the Easter Vigil for?” The person asking is from a Christian tradition that does not usually celebrate baptisms at the Vigil. If you’re old enough, you will remember when that was true for Roman Catholics. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was issued shortly after Vatican II,
What does baptism do? A mystagogy on the sacramental act of washing
(This article was also pubished here in Spanish. Este artículo también fue publicado aquí en español.) Congratulations! You and your RCIA team have worked so hard to prepare your catechumens and candidates to get them ready for this life-changing moment. Consider this a virtual hug and pat on the back for all your dedication, effort,
What to look for at the Easter Vigil
With everything else going on during the Triduum, the preparation rites on Holy Saturday can get a little lost. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the first thing to know is that only one thing is required. The elect are to be advised that on Holy Saturday they should refrain from their usual activities, spend their
A brief primer on the Holy Saturday RCIA Preparation Rites
Should baptized candidates celebrate their sacraments at the Easter Vigil? Probably not, but there are exceptions. The National Statues for the Catechumenate tell us that baptized candidates should not celebrate their sacraments at the Easter Vigil so there won’t be any confusion between them and those who are being baptized (see no. 33). Within the
Six common RCIA questions about Easter Vigil
We wish you a blessed and prayerful Holy Week. Please enjoy these powerful reflections from Rita Ferrone. Spy Wednesday Holy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday The Easter Vigil
Here are some wonderful meditations for Holy Week from Rita Ferrone: Spy Wednesday Holy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday The Easter Vigil
Holy Week meditations—not just for RCIA teams
Today’s Triduum liturgy includes a proclamation of the Passion according to John. Whether sung or spoken, this scripture passage is powerful. The symbolism in John’s account gives us much to meditate on-especially those of us engaged in the ministries of Christian initiation. Here is one example: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom
The event of central importance on Holy Thursday will be the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper—the liturgy which begins the Triduum. I hope everybody is going to take part in this wonderful celebration! I won’t try to anticipate what takes place. Better to experience it for yourself. Perhaps Holy Thursday is also a good
This altarpiece (1508-17) is the work of the sculptor, Master Paul, in the church of Saint James in Levoča, in Upper Hungary (now part of the Slovak Republic). A good deal of individual character is written into each of the faces and figures. Look at Judas, seated across from Jesus, a moneybag slung over his shoulder
