RCIA Network of E&W
Faith: believed, celebrated, lived and prayed
Exploring the Dynamics of Faith in the Catechumenate
Outline of Presentations
An overview of the
catechetical plan of the
RCIA
75/1 doctrine
75/2 liturgy
75/3 community
75/4 evangelization
The catechetical plan
Evangelization
The catechumenate
Purification and
Enlightenment
Mystagogy
Preliminary
remark
It’s a “Rite”
Evangelization
36 Although the rite of
initiation begins with
admission to the
catechumenate, the
preceding period or
precatechumenate is of
great importance and as a
rule should not be omitted.
It is a time of evangelization: faithfully and
constantly the living God is proclaimed and
Jesus Christ whom he has sent for the
salvation of all. Thus those who are not yet
Christians, their hearts opened by the Holy
Spirit, may believe and be freely converted to
the Lord and commit themselves sincerely to
him. For he who is the way, the truth, and the
life fulfils all their spiritual expectations,
indeed infinitely surpasses them.
Reflection question
In my experience of those
beginning their journey of
the Catholic faith, what is
their level of belief in the
living God? in Jesus Christ?
38 During this period, priests and deacons,
catechists and other laypersons are to give
the candidates a suitable explanation of the
Gospel (see no. 42). The candidates are to
receive help and attention so that with a
purified and clearer intention they may
cooperate with God’s grace. Opportunities
should be provided for them to meet families
and other groups of Christians.
Reflection questions
During the precatechumenate, what would constitute “a
suitable explanation of the Gospel”?
In my experience, what of the sympathisers’ intentions need
to become “purified and clearer”?
How are they meeting families and other Christians?
RCIA 40
During the
precatechumenate period,
parish priests (pastors)
should help those taking
part in it with prayers suited
to them, for example, by
celebrating for their spiritual
well-being the prayers of
exorcism and the blessings
given in the ritual.
Reflection questions
In my community, is the
priest involved with prayers
of exorcism and blessing
during the
precatechumenate?
Is this important?
42 The prerequisite for making this first step is
that the beginnings of the spiritual life and the
fundamentals of Christian teaching have
taken root in the candidates. Thus there must
be evidence of the first faith that was
conceived during the period of evangelization
and precatechumenate and of an initial
conversion and intention to change their lives
and to enter into a relationship with God in
Christ.
Consequently, there must also be evidence of
the first stirrings of repentance, a start to the
practice of calling upon God in prayer, a
sense of the Church, and some experience of
the company and spirit of Christians through
contact with a priest or with members of the
community. The candidate should also be
instructed about the celebration of the
liturgical rite of acceptance.
Reflection questions
How much time might be necessary to accomplish the goals
of the precatechumenate?
Can these goals reasonably be met at different times of the
year in the same parish?
43 Before the rite is celebrated, therefore,
sufficient and necessary time, as required in
each case, should be set aside to evaluate
and, if necessary, to purify the candidates’
motives and dispositions. With the help of the
sponsors (see no. 10), catechists, and
deacons, parish priests (pastors) have the
responsibility for judging the outward
indications of such dispositions.
Reflection question
In your community, how do
you decide that someone is
ready for the Rite of
Acceptance into the Order
of Catechumens?
Evangelization
catechesis
Proclaim the living God and Jesus Christ
Invite a commitment to the Lord
Explain the gospel
Purify intentions
Provide meetings with Christians
Pray with priests
Look for fundamentals
The Catechumenate
Catechesis
75/1 A suitable catechesis is provided - Κατηχηση
75/2 They become familiar with the Christian way of life Κοινονια
75/3 Suitable liturgical rites purify and strengthen them Λειτυργια
75/4 Catechumens spread the gospel - Διακονια
Purification Enlightenment
&
RCIA 125
For both the elect and the
local community, therefore,
the Lenten season is a time
for spiritual recollection in
preparation for the
celebration of the paschal
mystery.
Reflection question
This past Lent, in what
ways did your entire
community offer spiritual
recollection in preparation
for Easter?
RCIA 126
This is a period of more intense spiritual preparation,
consisting more in interior reflection than in catechetical
instruction, and is intended to purify the minds and hearts of
the elect as they search their own consciences and do
penance. This period is intended as well to enlighten the
minds and hearts of the elect with a deeper knowledge of
Christ the Saviour. The celebration of certain rites, particularly
the scrutinies and the presentations, brings about this process
of purification and enlightenment and extends it over the
course of the entire Lenten season.
Reflection question
Is the period of purification
and enlightenment in your
community truly centered
on “interior reflection” more
than “catechetical
instruction”? Does the
catechetical plan shift
during Lent?
Other rites during period
Scrutinies
Presentations
Preparation Rites
Reflection questions
How do you prepare for the scrutinies of thirst, sight, and life?
How do you prepare to present the Creed and the Lord’s
Prayer?
How are the elect made spiritually ready for the return of the
creed, the ephphetha, the baptismal name, the anointing, the
baptismal fast?
Purification/Enlightenment
Spiritual recollection
More interior reflection than catechetical instruction
Purify minds and hearts
Enlighten with deeper knowledge of Christ
Celebration of certain rites
Mystagogy
234 This is a time for the community and the
neophytes together to grow in deepening their
grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it
part of their lives through meditation on the
Gospel, sharing in the eucharist, and doing
the works of charity.
RCIA 234
To strengthen the
neophytes as they begin to
walk in newness of life, the
community of the faithful,
their godparents, and their
parish priests (pastors)
should give them thoughtful
and friendly help.
After initiation each year, how does the
community meditate on the Gospel, share in
the eucharist, and do works of charity?
Who is involved?
235 The
neophytes are, as the term
‘mystagogy’ suggests, introduced into a fuller
and more effective understanding of
mysteries through the Gospel message they
have learned and above all through their
experience of the sacraments they have
received. For they have truly been renewed in
mind, tasted more deeply the sweetness of
God’s word, received the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit, and grown to know the goodness
of the Lord.
Mystagogical Catechesis
Deepen grasp of the
paschal mystery
Share the eucharist
Do works of charity
The Catechetical Plan
Precatechumenate - proclaiming the living God
Catechumenate - fourfold plan
Purification & Enlightenment - spiritual preparation
Mystagogy - participation in the sacraments