One of the most powerful aspects of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is its emphasis on immersing those seeking Christ into a living, active parish community (see OCIA 75.2). The rite teaches that faith is not merely a set of intellectual beliefs but a way of life that is learned through participation and […]
Igniting faith: The apprenticeship model in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
One of the key formational cornerstones described in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the call to guide catechumens to “learn how to work actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the Church by the witness of their lives and by professing their faith” (RCIA 75.4). This apostolic dimension is
Forming catechumens for an apostolic life: paragraph 75.4
As leaders of the catechumenate in our parishes, one of our primary responsibilities is to provide suitable liturgical rites for our catechumens, as called for in RCIA 75.3. But what exactly do we mean by “rites” and “worship” in this context? And why are they so important for the formation of catechumens? Let’s explore these
Forming disciples through ritual: paragraph 75.3
One of the most powerful aspects of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is its emphasis on immersing those seeking Christ into a living, active parish community. The rite teaches that faith is not merely a set of intellectual beliefs, but a way of life that is learned through participation and example. The Mystical
The call to community: paragraph 75.2
As parish catechumenate leaders, the church expects us to provide an appropriate catechesis for the catechumens. The directives in OCIA 75.1 describe what an appropriate catechesis looks like. Let’s take a look at what it says. 1. Divided into steps and fully presented OCIA 75.1 emphasizes the need for a catechesis that is “divided into
Forming hearts through God’s Word: paragraph 75.1
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults intends the period of the catechumenate to be “aimed at training [the catechumens] in the Christian life” (RCIA 75). An essential component of that training is our liturgical life. Our participation in the worship of the church is so important that it is the first reform that was
How to teach catechumens the meaning of liturgy
At one of our training workshops, a participant was flummoxed about the dismissal of the catechumens after the homily. Why, he wanted to know, would we dismiss people who are learning about Jesus before Jesus is made present in the Mass (at the moment of consecration)? Free download: 8 ways to make mystagogy work in
Why dismiss the catechumens before Jesus becomes present?
There is a story about a new school and the way the children of the school played during recess. The school yard was enclosed by a high fence and furnished with state-of-the-art playground equipment. Every day during recess many of the children would race to the edges of the school yard and clamor up the
Does being merciful mean letting people off the hook?
I wrote earlier about my image of God as I was growing up. Like many people today, I did not have a very complete understanding of who God is. I thought of God as distant and judgmental. Some people even think that God is wrathful and is specifically angry at, or at least disappointed with,
God of Mercy or God of Wrath? Lessons from the Bible
You know what one of the hardest parts of my ministry as an RCIA team member is? A catechumen hears something on the news about a poll that says, “X percent of Catholics no longer believe _____.” Or, “Some-huge-percent of Catholics disagree with the pope about _____.” Or “A big bunch of Catholics think it
Are you teaching the five foundations of Christian life?
