Archive for April, 2009

  To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.”       The Way of Faith Explain that all of human life is sacred and that we are forbidden from killing. In the news The release … of the so-called “torture memos,” [...]

Sometimes talk about the RCIA process falls prey to generalizations based on “well, at my parish” or “everybody says.” It’s a good thing to balance one’s personal experience or hearsay with some objective information. If you haven’t already read the U.S. Bishops’ study on the implementation of the RCIA, Journey to the Fullness of Life, [...]

  To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.”       The Way of Faith Explain that the seventh commandment forbids us from stealing. In the news Battered by the recession and the deepest and most widespread budget deficits in several [...]

The Paschal Triduum is the center of the liturgical year, and the Easter Vigil is its high point. It is the liturgy at which night turns into day, and death into resurrection. Why vigil? St. Augustine had a pithy insight into this question: “We now need not wait for the Lord to arrive…. And yet [...]

To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session.” The Way of Faith Explain that the Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith, a faith handed down to us by the first disciples. In the news While Mexico or Havana [...]

One of the fabulous images for Holy Saturday is that of Jesus—after his descent into death—pulling Adam and Eve out of their tomb, their prison, and into the light and air. Their shackles fall away. Their eyes blink at the light. It’s the so-called “harrowing of hell” theme (it’s not really hell of course, but [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 Lõcse, 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 [...]