As parish catechumenate ministers, we have the privilege of accompanying catechumens on their journey of faith. This process of initiation is a profound gift not only for the catechumens themselves, but for the entire parish community. Free download: Best practices for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults The dismissal of the catechumens A key […]
The power of the dismissal: Catechumens as teachers in the church
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. Second Sunday of Easter Background: This was the day on which in ancient Rome the neophytes laid aside the white robes that they had been given during the rites of initiation at Easter Vigil and joined the body of the Faithful. And so,
Reflection Questions for Seekers: The Second through the Fifth Sundays of Easter
It’s Easter and the premier time for mystagogical catechesis. But what exactly is it, and how do you do it? Mystagogy, especially for neophytes, might not be what you think it is. First, it’s not another meeting. Mystagogy, according to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, takes place at the Sunday Masses of the
Mystagogical catechesis for neophytes
As I’m writing this, we are about two weeks away from the Triduum. And — spoiler alert — Jesus is risen! It seems like everything has spoiler alerts attached to it these days. The ubiquity of social media has caused many of us to avoid all our screens after the big game that we recorded
Let the mysteries speak for themselves: A pedagogy of silence
Is this your first year in catechumenate ministry? Or are you a long-time veteran that is beginning to feel a little burned out? Serving as a leader within your parish’s catechumenate process can feel like an incredibly daunting responsibility. Accompanying seekers on their journey of faith can be taxing. While this is a spiritually fulfilling
Rethinking “success” in catechumenate ministry
As we mark the progression of Lent week by week, we may be finding that the practices of prayer, fasting, and doing works of charity are becoming more like habits, like automatically putting our coins into the “Mission Box” for organizations like Holy Childhood or Catholic Relief Services. Or intentionally avoiding the fridge on fasting
Fasting and Feasting: Preparing Hearts for the Easter Mysteries
When we think of giving the Creed or the Lord’s Prayer to the elect, we often imagine that we are to give to them a beautiful piece of paper printed with those words. But the ritual has a different idea, one that is grounded in the way God interacts with everyone God calls. In this
How to present the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer to the elect
Some experiences from my childhood have shaped my spirit and understanding of Lent. Once the solemn busyness of Ash Wednesday Mass was over, our family’s daily life in Lent was anything but normal. Our Lenten intentions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving were posted on the refrigerator, and we strived to follow through, with Mom and
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. Introduction to the Third to Fifth Sundays in Lent: The Johannine Gospels for the three middle Sundays in Lent for Year B pursue the same themes as those of Year A: how Jesus brings us in his person cleansing from sin, true light,
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers — 3rd Sunday in Lent to Easter Sunday, Year B
When the revised Roman Missal was published in 2011, it contained this rubric: “If the anointing of the adults with the Oil of Catechumens has not taken place beforehand, as part of the immediately preparatory rites, it occurs at this moment” (“Easter Vigil” 48). However, this contradicts the rubric in the Rite of Christian Initiation
Have you anointed your catechumens yet?
