Stages of the OCIA

Discernment

At the May Open Forum, Lorraine Miller from St. Philip Benizi gave a short presentation followed by discussion about “Discernment.”  Christian discernment in the RCIA is an awareness of the movement of the Holy Spirit and the signs of the Spirit in a person’s life. It involves recognizing exterior habits …

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Adult Confirmation: A Joy and a Journey

Every year adults who want to be confirmed come to RCIA.  For these Catholics, it is important to honor their Catholic Baptism and pastorally consider their faith formation needs. The result for these people may be a time of preparation that is significantly shorter than for the unbaptized or those coming from another Christian tradition.  Roger Desjardins from St. Philip Benizi shared his story on how they minister to Adults seeking Confirmation.

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RCIA Self Assessment Tool

RCIA How Are We Doing A Self Assessment Tool  published by RCL/Benziger is a great resource for RCIA teams.  The set of reproducible blackline masters provide an overview of each period and rite followed by relevant evaluation questions that help RCIA leaders and teams to identify strengths and weaknesses in specific areas.  The well …

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Reflections on Holy Week by the Newly Initiated

by Kathy Kuczka

Throughout the Easter season, our newly initiated adults have been engaged in the fourth period of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults called mystagogy, a Greek word meaning “to savor the mysteries.”  Our newly initiated Catholics, called neophytes, or newly planted, have been reflecting on their journey of faith, especially on what they experienced during the rituals celebrated during Holy Week.  Here are some of their reflections:

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Mystagogical Sessions Outside of the Eucharist

by Terry Zobel

The Rite does not have a whole lot to say about this period and it doesn’t really give us much in the way of how-to instructions for its implementation. What is does say can be found in paragraphs 244-51—a mere eight paragraphs. Those paragraphs give us the flavor, the tone, the mood for this rich period. For me, this period has three distinct elements.

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Mystagogy: Looking back to move ahead

by Kathy Kuczka

The period of Mystagogy offers the newly initiated the opportunity to deepen their grasp of the paschal mystery by participating in the Eucharistic life of the parish community. It also offers the community the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the new life in their midst.

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