Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of TeamRCIA.com.
Preparation Prayerfully read the scriptures for Sunday Read a commentary on the scriptures Identify at least three church teachings that flow from the readings (you won’t use all three, but it helps to be prepared) Look up related topics in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to refresh your understanding of these teachings For each […]
How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session
Imagine this announcement in your parish. “Next Sunday we are going to celebrate the Rite of Acceptance with several catechumens.” Now in your mind’s eye, look out at the assembly. Is there a collective eye-roll? Or are they whipping out their Blackberries to cancel golf games and trips to see Grandma so they can be
The secret to effective rituals: rehearsal
Many of us think of mystagogy as the final period of the catechumenal process, occurring in the 50 days after the Easter Triduum. It is, however, a much broader reality. We need to shift our thinking a bit. Mystagogy is not only for the 50 days, but for all our days. From the very beginning,
A step-by-step guide to mystagogy
To be a sponsor is to make a big commitment. Believe it or not, there are many people in your parish who are looking to make a big commitment. Sometimes we undersell the commitment people have to make. All that does is say to the volunteer, “I’m not really going to ask very much of
20 ideas for finding RCIA sponsors
The basics of leading a dismissal session are not too difficult. There are three things to pay attention to: The room When you leave, you need to go somewhere. Make sure the room is prepared ahead of time. The faith sharing after dismissal is not catechesis. It is an extension of the liturgy. So, if
How to lead a 30-minute dismissal session
The first step in building a team is to realize the team already exists. You are not creating anything new. You are enhancing and building on what already exists. Get your RCIA book and turn to paragraph 9 (page 4 in my version). Underline this phrase, about four lines down: —”the initiation of adults is
100 ways to involve parishioners in the RCIA
In the Rite of Acceptance, one of the first things that happens is the “Candidates’ First Acceptance of the Gospel” (see paragraph 50 and following in the RCIA). When they accept the gospel, they are not accepting a book. They are accepting a way of life. If you have adapted the dialogue questions to fit
In the Rite of Acceptance, a major element of the rite is the Candidates’ First Acceptance of the Gospel (“candidates” as used here means candidates for the Rite of Acceptance, not baptized candidates; see paragraph 52, which is on page 22 in my edition of the RCIA). Sometimes folks who are new to planning this
How to tell your catechumens the gospel truth
Thousands of parishes are getting ready to celebrate the Rite of Acceptance over the next several weeks. Catechumenate team leaders will gather with those who are to become catechumens and offer them a ritual catechesis something like this: “And then Father will ask you your name. You tell him your name. And then Father will
Why catechumens shouldn’t ask for faith
In the August 27, 2007, issue of America, Cardinal Godfried Danneels writes about liturgy 40 years after the Council. The entire article is deserving of a careful read, but here are my favorite lines: How many celebrants consider the homily to be the climax of the liturgy and the barometer of the celebration? How many
