APRIL 2022 N
ovember 17, 1974. On the day of my baptism, I embarked on a lifelong journey of faith and conversion. By virtue of our baptism,
all Christians are called to grow continually in our understanding of the faith and to incorporate that faith into our daily lives. Te Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults characterizes mystagogy as “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.”1
Tis vital stage of Christian initiation finds
its fullest expression in ongoing spiritual formation and enrichment through continued catechesis, growth in the parish community, experience of the liturgy, and service to others. Patrick Cronin states that “the mystagogical journey for all Christians is one from conversion to self-transformation…through the power of God.”2
Tis article suggests a framework of
mystagogy for the newly baptized, and for the entire faith community, and explores its implementation in a parish. Tis model requires a strong Christian initiation team of catechists who are committed to journeying with candidates as they experience the mysteries of Christ, while at the same time continually striving to deepen their own understanding of the Catholic faith.
As the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults indicates, the period of formal mystagogy for the neophytes begins after the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, with continued catechesis and spiritual formation lasting until Pentecost.3
Te
National Statutes for the Catechumenate recommend that this period be extended to last an entire year.4
In
light of this recommendation, a continuation of the process of mystagogy throughout the subsequent year is desirable, with a focus on catechesis, community, liturgy, and service, the ultimate goal being to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of growth in faith for the initiates. In addition to proposing a framework for this model, this article will address several relevant pastoral considerations, including the mystagogical nature of the RCIA process itself, logistical challenges, and the importance of lifelong mystagogy for all the baptized.
“The ultimate goal of the formal period of mystagogy is to lay the groundwork for a lifetime of growth in faith for the initiates.”
Weekly gatherings for new Catholics ought to continue throughout the Easter season, to include their godparents and the RCIA team as companions on the ongoing journey of faith and conversion. In even the most vibrant parishes, the process of Christian initiation too often ends upon reception of the Sacraments of Initiation by the neophytes at the Easter Vigil. How do we empower these new Catholics, who have until this point in time received weekly attention and care, to become a part of their community of faith? Tese post-baptismal gatherings might follow a similar format as before but could allow the newly baptized (individually, or perhaps in pairs) to lead Scripture study and reflection, thus affording them the opportunity to explore how the Scriptures apply to their own faith life. Te neophytes would be encouraged to attend Sunday Mass, with their godparents if possible. In his book Encountering the Mystery of God, Patrick Cronin suggests a framework for these weekly gatherings based on the Year A readings for the Easter season with catechesis on such topics as the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Cronin further suggests inviting representatives of various parish groups—e.g., parish council, liturgy preparation team, social justice ministries, family ministry groups—to attend these gatherings to welcome neophytes and invite them to participate in the life of the parish.5
Tese visits would ideally
correlate in some way to the Sunday readings. For example, Cronin suggests that during the meeting
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