The following is Part 1 of a brief overview by Diana Macalintal of the initiation process for adults considering becoming Catholic. Based on material originally written for the Diocese of San José website, you are welcomed to use or adapt it for your own parishes. Click here to download a formatted … [Read more...]
Is Your Dismissal Pastoral Enough?
The most pastoral thing we can do for the catechumens is to "kindly dismiss" them, before the prayer of the faithful begins.... I have a friend, a good friend, who also happens to be a priest. He is dead sent against dismissing the catechumens from the liturgy before the general intercessions. … [Read more...]
Honoring the Baptized
Let's suppose you want to honor the baptized by celebrating their reception into the Catholic Church at the first Sunday Eucharist after they are ready. How do you deal with the pastoral issue that they will feel like they are missing something in comparison with the Elect who will be baptized at … [Read more...]
Why Baptized Candidates Should Not be Received at the Easter Vigil
When should baptized candidates be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church? Paul Turner in When Other Christians become Catholic, says, "Whenever they are ready" (p. 161). The National Statues for the Catechumenate say, not "at the Easter Vigil lest there be any confusion of … [Read more...]
"God Glasses" for the Man Born Blind—A Scrutiny Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
The stories of the man born blind, the woman at the well and the raising of Lazarus from the dead are a set of readings that must always be proclaimed whenever we celebrate the Scrutinies. Why then are today's readings so important for those who are preparing for initiation? Why are they so … [Read more...]