120 members of RCIA teams from northern California have just wrapped up a two-day institute (sponsored by the North American Forum on the Catechumenate and the dioceses of San Jose and Monterey). The institute focused on how to adapt the RCIA for children.

Talking with some of the participants reminded me of something I wrote about in The Way of Faith. It seems to me that many RCIA teams worry far too much about the children and not nearly enough about the parents. What I wrote in my book is this:

I truly believe that when it comes to adapting the rite for children, the biggest adaptation we have to make is to pay more attention to the parents than the kids…. On the first encounter, we need to think of the family as inquirers. The decision about the readiness of children to enter the catechumenate will not be based on the child’s individual readiness. We are saying that if the adults, or at least one of the primary caretakers in the family, are not ready, the children are not ready. Just as with adult inquirers, we are not refusing to celebrate the sacraments with the children. We are inviting the family to spend some more time with us, reflecting more deeply on what they really want. We pray that in that process the Spirit will move them to the initial faith needed to celebrate the Rite of Acceptance. (135)

What is your experience? Do you treat the entire family as inquirers? Do you require parents to participate in a catechetical process along with their children? How do you determine readiness for the Rite of Acceptance or the Rite of Election? I’d love to hear your stories.

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I am struggling with finding a new source for children’s catechumenate. Can you help?
 
 
 
 
I understand your frustration. There is not much available. Here is what I’ve used in various situations over the years. As you well know, you have to pick and choose what fits your children and their families. So, it’s not too “user friendly.” A few ideas:

Journey of Faith is a set of pamphlets for the various periods from Ligouri Press. The caution is you can’t just use them week to week and then when you get through a series, you’re done — onto the next period. For example, you have to choose a “catechumenate pamphlet” that fits with the Liturgy of the Word for that day.

God is Calling is a box set of materials from St. Anthony Messenger Press. It’s intergenerational and great for family sessions. Has some “minimal adaptation” for children’s catechumenate.

Living the Good News is a lectionary-based catechesis resources, but it is only published three seasons of the church year.

Perhaps some other folks will chime in with ideas.

Why do we need inquiry for children? In the cases of younger children, it seems pointless. The parents have made up the children’s minds for them. They will enter this process and finish it because their parents said so. Why not start these children with Christianity 101 and go on from there?

Thanks for your question on a precatechumenate for children. It does seem like sometimes children are only in the process because their parents want them to be, although that can be the very reason why a precatechumenate is important! While the parent may want baptism for the child, the child may not even be evangelized. At other times, a precatechumenate may not be necessary.

Let’s begin by looking at whether or not children benefit from a precatechumenate. First, it depends on the needs and the background of the particular child. The precatechumenate “is a time of evangelization” (RCIA, 36) when children hear the good news and develop their relationship with the living God and Jesus Christ. This time of “initial conversion” (RCIA, 37) is extremely important for children who have not yet been become consciously aware of their intimate and loving relationship with God. In order to ensure conversion, before we begin “Christianity 101″ we must first see to it that the child is aware of her or his relationship with God. In other words, initial conversion comes first and then the catechesis.

Indeed, the General Directory for Catechesis echoes a similar point in paragraph 62. The GDC says that the “first stage in the catechetical process” is dedicated to “ensuring conversion.” A “pre-catechesis” (or a precatechumenate) must precede catechesis if we want to nurture conversion in the child, which is of course the goal of initiation with children (RCIA, 253).

Moreover, what I have just described in the previous two paragraphs is for children who have not yet been evangelized and thus need a precatechumenate. In my experience, some, if not many, of the children who come to us need evangelization. They have not yet heard the good news, they are unfamiliar with the Scriptures and unaware of God’s deep, unconditional love for them. It is not an uncommon that when I do the initial pastoral visit with a child, he or she is not able to speak about God. In other words, they “know” very little of God’s love for them. They have not yet been evangelized.

One example may illustrate this point. Recently, I interviewed an inquiring family during the Advent/Christmas season. The child was not able to tell me anything she knew about God and did not know any stories from the Bible. Trying to help her along and thinking that the story of “Baby Jesus and Three Kings” would sound familiar, I asked her if she had ever heard this story. She stared at me blankly.

Even though many people would say that North America is a Christian society, many children have not heard the good news of God’s saving love. Thus, many children need a precatechumenate before we begin the more formal catechesis of the period of the catechumenate.

On the other hand, some inquiring children come to us already evangelized. These children may be baptized or unbaptized. The key is evangelization. If they are evangelized and at least somewhat aware of their relationship with Jesus Christ, then they probably don’t need the period of the precatechumenate. The initial pastoral interview will help you and the parents discern what best meets the needs of the child. And, as you well know, the needs of each child and family will be different.

• Do child catechumens need both RCIA and religious ed classes?

In the Fall 2009 issue of the Forum Newsletter, children’s initiation expert, Fr. Tim Piaseki, says that the task of RCIA teams is to help children become friends with Jesus.

How do people become friends? They spend time together. They have conversations with each other. They do things together. Little by little they come to know each other well. They come to enjoy being in each other’s company. They learn each other’s likes and dislikes. When they are apart, they miss one another. The question becomes: How can initiation ministers help children and Jesus Christ to become the best of friends?

He then discusses issues that concern the children and their families in the initiation process.

Click here to download the newsletter. Tim’s article appears in both English and Spanish.

One terrific suggestion he makes is that an “abuela” (grandmother)-type person could mentor the family. His point is that people who are embarrassed to ask their questions of a priest or other church minister might feel more comfortable speaking with someone who is less “official.”

Do you use “abuela-sponsors” in your parish? How do you help children and families feel comfortable in the initiation process? Click on comments and share your stories.

• Who sponsors child catechumens?
• The key to adapting the RCIA for children
• 5 principles for adapting the RCIA for children

I have approximately ten children of various ages that have either been baptized only or have not been baptized. What is your recommendation on the process for initiating them and receiving them into full communion? Right now I put them in the appropriate grade and then work with them. How often should we meet and for how long?

The children who are not baptized and are older than age seven would definitely be fully initiated according to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (see nos. 252, 253, 304, 305, National Statute 18). Their formation should also following the general pattern of the catechumenate, which means they should participate in the RCIA as adapted for children.

The children who have been baptized may or may not participate in the RCIA, depending upon their previous religious formation. Take time to discern whether or not these children really need a complete catechumenal process. If they “did not receive further catechetical formation” after baptism, then according to no. 400 of the RCIA, they should participate in the RCIA. If however, they were baptized (especially if they were baptized Catholic), but just missed religious education along the way, they may do well to be put in your religious education program. Then, you can just work with them to prepare them for the sacraments they need.

However, if all or most of these ten children need some form of catechumenal formation, I suggest you follow no. 255 of the RCIA and “form a group of children who are in the same situation.” A children’s catechumenate group such as this must distinguish that some of the children are baptized. In addition to forming a children’s catechumenate group, you may find that some of the children want or need to be with their peers in the regular religious education program.

One more point to consider is the diversity in ages of the children. It sounds like you may have a wide variety of ages in your catechumenate group. A family-centered approach to children’s catechumenate is a great approach to initiation ministry and it helps to diminish the difference in ages among the catechumens. Also, the RCIA tell us that the children’s initiation “depends” on their parents (nos. 252, 254). Thus, when you do family-centered catechumenal ministry, you are following the guidelines of the RCIA and addressing the issue of age diversity among the candidates.

Summary

Although you will need to discern what is best for the children in each particular circumstance, here is a brief summary of what I’d recommend:

1. Discern what type of formation each child needs.
2. Form a children’s catechumenate group for those who need full initiation and a full catechumenal process. These children and their families would participate in the various periods of the RCIA: precatechumenate, catechumenate (including dismissal from Sunday liturgy), purification and enlightenment, and mystagogy.
3. Do family-centered initiation ministry.
4. The children may or may not attend your regular religious education program, depending upon their catechetical needs.
5. The unbaptized children would be fully initiated at the Easter Vigil, though it may not be the Easter Vigil this year! It may take a longer period of time. The baptized children would probably receive the sacraments at a time other than the Easter Vigil, although that depends on the pastoral situation and their family circumstances.

For more guidance on this topic, read Chapter 1 in Part II of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

• Do child catechumens need both RCIA and religious ed classes?
• The key to adapting the RCIA for children
• How to prepare baptized, uncatechized Catholic children

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 confirmation and the eucharist at this same celebration” (308).

The rite continues by reminding us that if the bishop is not the celebrant for this celebration, then the bishop must grant the faculty to confirm the baptized Catholic children. Paragraph 256 also says that “if possible,” the baptized companions are to receive confirmation and eucharist with the catechumens.

In addition, there are other considerations for the question of peer companions possibly being confirmed with child catechumens. The rite tells us that the initiation of child catechumens “should preferably” take place at the Easter Vigil (check paragraphs 256, 304, and the National Statutue, 18).

The content of this terrific book is primarily intended for unbaptized children. However, it could also be used to help already baptized children to complete their own Christian initiation.
Christian Initiation of Older Children
Sandra Figgess, RSCJ
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At the same time, the rite provides for a celebration of the sacraments of initiation with children that is outside the Easter Vigil (see paragraphs 309-329). Here, the rite describes a celebration where the candidates for initiation (317) are fully initiated and the “previously baptized children of the catechetical group” are confirmed and celebrate the eucharist (322, 329).

Notice, however, that in this instance, the bishop is the celebrant. So, if your parish priest is the celebrant in such a celebration, remember he must have permission to confirm the Catholic children.

All in all, paragraph 256 highlights two of the most considerations: the primacy of the Easter Vigil for initiation and the needs of the children.

• Do child catechumens need both RCIA and religious ed classes?
• The key to adapting the RCIA for children
• 5 principles for adapting the RCIA for children

(Note from Nick: I asked Rita Burns Senseman to answer a question we recently received. She is a leading expert in children’s initiation. Thanks Rita!)

Should young people in the RCIA attend regular religious education classes in addition to the catechesis and programs they take part in with the RCIA?

It depends. In most instances, if your parish has a well-developed RCIA for young people,then there is no need for them to participate in regular religious education. Besides, it is often “too much” for a catechumenal family to attend all RCIA sessions, which include Sunday dismissal from the Liturgy of the Word, in addition to regular religious education.

However, the complete answer to this question depends upon discerning what the individual child and family really need to complete the process of initiation and conversion (see RCIA 253). The first step is to talk with the child and the parent or guardian and determine what type of formation the child needs and how this fits with what your parish has to offer. For example, if a fifth grade child is truly uncatechized and has very little religious formation, it may be unwise to have the child join a fifth grade religious education class. Such “classes” are designed for baptized, catechized Catholic children. The child may be better served in a catechumenal group with other children, their Catholic companions (RCIA 252, 254), their parents (RCIA 252, 254) and possibly some sponsors.

There is a lot of information about the initiation of children packed into this little book!

Readings in the Christian Initiation of Children Victoria M. Tufano, editor
Price: $9.95

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On the other hand, if your parish does not yet have a well-developed children’s catechumenate, the child may need to be part of some regular religious education in order to have interaction with baptized Catholic peers (RCIA 254.1, National Statutues 19). Another issue to consider in the discernment process is the age of child. Although it may be unwise to have an uncatechized fifth grader in regular religious education, it may be fine for a first grader. A younger child may feel very comfortable in a first grade catechetical session.

In addition, when discerning what is the best pathway for the child, consider her or his previous religious formation. If the child is already evangelized and somewhat catechized, they may not need a precatechumante. And, if the child is fairly well catechized, they may feel very comfortable in the parish catechetical program. For example, if the child has been coming to church for years, but has not been baptized, it may be appropriate for them to attend parish religious education, in addition to the RCIA sessions.

In the end, it depends on the needs of the child. There is no easy answer. It’s not a “one program fits all.” Discernment is the key.

I’m editing the October 2009 issue of Religion Teacher’s Journal, and I’ve just run across the second author who casually refers to choosing a new name for confirmation as though that’s the ordinary practice of the church.

I chose a confirmation name as a child as I’m sure most of you did. But our experience with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults has given us a renewed understanding of the unity of baptism and confirmation as sacraments of initiation. In order to reinforce (and catechize about) that unity, the proper confirmation name is the name one is baptized with.

See this helpful article by Dennis Smolarski, SJ, for a more complete exploration of the topic.

What’s your experience? Does your parish encourage children to choose a confirmation name or to celebrate their baptismal name?

• Should the elect choose a baptismal name?

The Rite of Acceptance adapted for children, as it appears in the RCIA, presumes the children’s parents will be serving as their sponsors (see 265). I suppose this is because the parents are required to give their consent. If they cannot be present at the rite to do so, they are to send a “sponsor” to give consent for them (260).

I’m not sure that having parents serving as their children’s sponsors is the wisest pastoral practice, however. Isn’t it usually the case that the reason these children have reached catechetical age without being baptized is because the parents have had a few bumps in the road on their own journey of faith? They are not likely to have been the active Catholics we usually look for in the role of sponsor. But if the parents don’t serve as sponsors, who does?

Read the rest of this entry »

The key to catechizing children in the RCIA is this:

The process of initiation [of child catechumens] thus must be adapted both to their spiritual progress…and to the catechetical instruction they receive. (RCIA 253, emphasis added)

We can’t stress enough that the spiritual progress and instruction required for each child is unique. We must constantly be adapting the initiation process for each child. So how do we know what to adapt?

The goal of adapting the RCIA for children

To know what to adapt, we need to be diligent in asking the right question. Often, we get stuck on the wrong question: What do they need to know? The right question is: Who do they need to know?

I don’t know about you, but I get stuck on the wrong question because it is the question that helped me grow in my faith. By the time I could read and write, I was learning what I needed to know to be a better Catholic. But, by the time I could read and write, I already knew who I needed to know. I was raised in a faithful Catholic home. By the time I started school, I knew how to make the Sign of the Cross, say the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary, and had a basic understanding of the Trinity. I started school catechized. I didn’t need to be introduced to Christ. I needed an ongoing catechesis for my continuing conversion.

RCIA catechesis is initiatory catechesis

Ongoing catechesis is way different than initiatory catechesis (see National Directory of Catechesis, 57-59). Initiatory catechesis is a

comprehensive and systematic formation in the faith [that]…includes more than instruction: it is an apprenticeship of the entire Christian life, it is a “complete Christian initiation,” which promotes an authentic following of Christ, focused on his Person; it implies education in knowledge of the faith and in the life of faith, in such a manner that the entire person, at his deepest levels, feels enriched by the word of God. (General Directory for Catechesis, 67)

So the adaptations we are striving for in initiatory catechesis are those that are focused on the Person of Christ and following that Person. It is a catechesis that provides a

basic and essential formation, centered on what constitutes the nucleus of Christian experience, the most fundamental certainties of the faith. (General Directory for Catechesis, 67)

The purpose of this initiatory catechesis is to lay a foundation that will enable the child catechumens to later engage fully in Christian life—which includes a more comprehensive, complex, ongoing, lifelong catechesis.

By focusing on the wrong question—what they need to know—we run the risk of not attending fully enough to the most important question—who they need to know. The key to adapting the RCIA for children is this: first who, then what.

• 5 principles for adapting the RCIA for children
• Why we need to stop RCIC
• How to prepare baptized, uncatechized Catholic children