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
Q. At my parish we are planning to have a rehearsal for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday morning. Our master catechist helps with the catechumenate, and she is suggesting that the elect and candidates not be at the rehearsal. She thinks only the sponsors should be there. She mentioned that this way the sponsors are
Prepare the elect for Easter Vigil…but don’t rehearse them
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Background:The journey to Jerusalem has begun; and, in Luke’s vision, it will not end until faithful believers have brought the good news of the kingdom/reign of God to the ends of the earth. This Sunday’s gospel selection
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers: Year C – The 14th through 17th Sundays in Ordinary Time
As our dioceses and parishes implement more fully the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for all those who have reached the age of discretion (aka the age of reason), parents sometimes have difficulty understanding why their child would be confirmed at age seven or eight. It is important for all of us to understand
How to think about Confirmation in the initiation of children
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. Pentecost – 2nd Reading alternate, Gospel Selection A . Background: In Luke’s chronology Jesus sends the Spirit on the fiftieth day after the resurrection. In John he sends the Spirit on the evening of Easter Day itself. Whatever the chronology, the crucial
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers: Year C – Pentecost through the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
This past Easter Vigil, I was visiting a parish I had never been to before. I was truly uplifted by the beauty and quality of the entire liturgy. It was one of the best Easter Vigil liturgies I have celebrated. The key factor that made the liturgy so good was the effort the planners and
Should baptized candidates celebrate their sacraments at the Easter Vigil?
You can reflect questions for every Sunday of the year by clicking here. Third Sunday of Easter Background: Each year this Sunday has as its Gospel selection a description of a meal that the risen Jesus shares with his disciples, reminding us that the repeatable sacrament of initiation is the Eucharist. In this year’s passage Jesus
Reflection Questions for RCIA Seekers: Year C – The Third Sunday of Easter through Ascension Sunday
Q. I am the director of the catechumenate process in my parish. I was asked by two of my catechumens to be their godmother. While I am so humbled, I am not sure what the proper protocol is. Is it okay for catechumenate directors to be godparents of their catechumens? A. As long as you
Q&A: Can directors of the catechumenate be godparents of their catechumens?
I can’t help but smile as I read—and teach—that Lent is like a 40-day retreat, a time of reflection, quiet, prayer, and fasting. Sometimes it seems that even the spirit of “fasting and feasting” takes a back seat to the activities of initiation ministries during Lent. The invitation to silence and reflection is welcome but
The Parish Community in the Easter Season
The last Easter Sunday Mass that St. Augustine celebrated was in 430 AD, when he was 75 years old. In those days, 75 was more like 100 is today. Augustine must have been very tired from having concluded the long Easter Vigil just a few hours before. After his brief homily, the catechumens were dismissed
Why the participation of the elect in the Easter Vigil is so important
