Q: During the pandemic, how should we handle the signing the senses in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens? Is it permissible to sign without touching the person? In other words, to make the sign of the cross in front of the eyes, the mouth, etc. rather than actually on them? A: […]
Fr. John Farley, a priest in the San Diego diocese, commented on our video, “RCIA, the Triduum, and Coronavirus.” Based on the guidelines in the Ceremonial of Bishops and in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, he proposed a possible schedule for celebrating the rites of initiation at a time later this year. In
An RCIA calendar for celebrating the initiation rites outside the usual times
Most sponsors want to do a good job, and they put a lot of effort into doing their ministry well. Besides the responsibilities, any good sponsor would want to know: “what kinds of gifts do I give my catechumens/candidates?” Before one gets their hands on a church goods catalog in search for a gift, let
Like most people, I am terrible at keeping New Year’s resolutions. But several years ago, I found a way to become better. Now, I make 90-day resolutions. At the end of 90 days, I check in with myself to see how I’m doing. Then I either recommit to my resolutions, or I trade them in
13 New Year’s resolutions for RCIA leaders and teams
In all my years in RCIA ministry, one of the easiest things to do was to match inquirers with sponsors — in my head. One of the hardest things to do was to get those perfect sponsors-in-my-head to become real, live, actual sponsors for someone. I think other RCIA team members must have struggled with
Who else wants to have all the RCIA sponsors they need?
Sunday mornings were a whirlwind of drama when I was a kid. My mother, a single parent, was like a hen trying to round up her uncooperative chicks to get us to Mass each week. I think of those days when I read in the RCIA, “The Church, like a mother, helps the catechumens on
Why RCIA sponsors are like poultry
One of the most challenging duties for sponsors is to model an apostolic lifestyle for the catechumens (see RCIA 75.4). Most sponsors live an apostolic lifestyle, but if you asked them to describe what that looked like or how they do it, they might have some difficulty. Why an RCIA sponsor’s lifestyle is so important
Do your RCIA sponsors know the single reason for Jesus’ death and resurrection?
RCIA sponsors are supposed to be good examples. It says so right there in RCIA 75.2: As they become familiar with the Christian way of life, and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear
Five essential elements of an RCIA sponsor’s job description
If you are feeling overwhelmed—or even just “whelmed”—with your responsibilities on the RCIA team, you may not be asking enough of the RCIA sponsors. The sponsors have a significant, three-part role to play in the formation of the catechumens. Among their responsibilities is to assist the catechumens on their faith journey. The RCIA is silent
A simple plan for involving RCIA sponsors in providing a suitable catechesis
I sometimes wonder if we ask enough of RCIA sponsors. In quite a few parishes, sponsors are not required to do very much. They are asked to be present for the public rituals. But if they cannot make it, a proxy is provided. They are asked to participate in the catechetical sessions, but if they
Are you asking your RCIA sponsors to sacrifice enough? A three-part job description
