Pope Francis is setting sail…is your RCIA team onboard?

"Christopher Columbus on the Santa Maria by Emmanuel Leutze | Wikimedia Commons

9 thoughts on “Pope Francis is setting sail…is your RCIA team onboard?”

  1. Dear Friends:
    Thank you again. Every time I read your messages I am further empowered! Someone once said that few things are as wonderful as hearing your thoughts expressed by someone else. That happens to me all the time with you!
    I started the year with five gatherings called Hours of Discernment and talked almost exclusively about Jesus. Then I had one parishioner speak on his journey and the Deacon on his. As a result, all of those in attendance have expressed a desire to continue. I’m rowing!

    1. Hi Carol. Thanks so much for you comment. It’s great to hear you are feeling empowered! It sounds like you are doing great things. Kudos to you! Thanks for all your hard work.

      —Nick

  2. “No one knows how to “do the RCIA” because we’ve never done it before. ”
    The church has been doing RCIA for over 2000 years. The apostles following the mandate to “go and make disciples of all nations…baptize…and teach, carried the message to the four corners of the earth leading to what was once called Christendom and western Civilization. The impetous for the “Age of Discovery” was this very same missionary mandate. What is missing today is the missionary zeal to proclaim the gospel and bring souls into Christ’s church. We should be sending missionaries out from every parish, to the evangelical churches, to the mosques, to the synagogue, to the bars and clubs to proclaim the good news that Christ has risen and is alive in His Church.

    1. Hi Walt. I agree with you that the church has been evangelizing since the time of the apostles and that today we are lacking a missionary zeal. But the church has not been doing RCIA for over 2,000 years. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a sacramental rite that is a post-Vatican II restoration of the ancient catechumenate. It has many elements of the ancient catechumenate, but it is not identical to it. And the catechumenate itself died out in the fifth or sixth century. So the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults really is a brand new thing for us.

  3. I may not be the first to ask this, but is the name in English of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” not “The Joy of the Gospel”?

    Nick, thanks for your writings. I am always inspired by your insights.

    1. Hi Patsy. Yes, you are correct about the English title. I keep getting that mixed up. I made the change in the post above. I’m glad the post was helpful. –Nick

  4. I agree with you Nick, This 1987-88 Rite is the current iteration of “Adult Initiation” which the Church has been doing since apostolic times. The catechumenate didn’t “die out”. It went through a natural development. Once everyone in town is Catholic attention turns to Baptizing the children of the catholic families, supporting them in the initiation of the children and missionary outreach.

  5. Nick,

    Thanks. I’m rowing, but not necessarily staying afloat. Every so often, when I feel like this is it, I am doing no good, can’t find other rowers, poor students who only have what I am rowing, etc., I read your newsletter — and then I surface and row a little better and feel encouraged. I am studying and praying and following your suggestions, and often times feel like the Spirit sighs as I proceed. Am I doing ok? I am my own worst critic, I suppose. But today, I can see that nobody else knows either!!!!!! Yea! I am sure that we all will prevail. With Pope Francis on board, we will all get on the same boat, on to the New World! And Holy Spirit will continue to do what’s necessary to make our work efficacious today. I pray.

    1. Hi Priscilla. Thanks so much for your comment. I know just what you mean about being your own worst critic. Sometimes we can be too hard on ourselves. Thanks for all the great work you are doing. Keep rowing. Keep praying. I will too.

      –Nick

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