APRIL 2022
Te National Statutes recommend the continuation of the period of mystagogy for the neophytes for an entire year. After Pentecost, this group could continue to meet monthly to reflect on and unpack the elements of the Mass, which the neophytes would have recently begun to experience in its fullness, and to explore how they can forge connections with the wider parish community through the Eucharist. Te Catholic liturgy is replete with signs and symbols through which the faithful can grow in their understanding of the Mystery of Christ into which the neophytes have been initiated. A sample gathering would begin with a prayer led by one of the newly baptized and continue with a lectio divina-type reflection on one of the readings from the previous Sunday. A neophyte would lead these elements so that s/he might gain practice and confidence in prayer and Scripture study. Te meeting would continue with a mystagogical experience of one of the parts of the Mass suggested by Gilbert Ostdiek in his book Mystagogy of the Eucharist: for example, Gathering (June); Proclaiming, Listening, Responding to the Word (July); Presenting Gifts of Bread and Wine (August); Giving Tanks, Offering the Gift, and Interceding (September); Breaking Bread and Sharing Cup (October); Being Sent (November); and Saying Amen (December).7
Ostdiek offers a detailed plan for
informative, evocative, and engaging presentations on each of the above elements of the Mass, with a focus on the neophytes’ experience of the Mass and its application in their daily lives.
Te content of the remaining monthly meetings would be determined by the neophytes. Te prayer and Scripture reflection aspect would continue, but the topics for mystagogy (to be presented by a team member) could vary according to the needs and interests of each group of neophytes. Tese topics might include the Scriptures, private devotions, the Liturgy of the Hours, social justice issues, and doctrines of the Church. Another essential component of these gatherings would be the continued integration of the new Catholics into the larger parish community. Te newly baptized could be encouraged to join a parish Scripture reflection group, perhaps (but not necessarily) accompanied by their godparent, a team member, or another new Catholic. Liturgical ministry offers a variety of ways for the baptized to share their gifts and talents with the parish community and feel a
sense of belonging, as well as affording opportunities for ongoing formation. For one of the monthly meetings, the newly baptized and the team might participate together in a parish social event, service project, retreat, or reconciliation service. Te final monthly meeting (or the penultimate, depending on the liturgical calendar) would consist of an anniversary celebration for the neophytes, including attendance at Mass together.
A practical challenge to this framework for year-long mystagogy is that a parish would have two separate RCIA groups at any given time—those preparing for initiation, and those recently initiated. If a parish has a large enough RCIA team, this difficulty could be met by splitting the team members such that one group would accompany the newly baptized on their year-long mystagogical journey while the rest of the team would lead new inquirers as they undertake the initial stage of the process. In this way, team members would stay with a group of inquirers throughout their RCIA journey, as they become catechumens, elect, and neophytes, from the Period of Inquiry through the end of their year of formal mystagogy. A smaller team would be more limited in their ability to implement this year-long framework and would need to adapt the program according to the availability of the catechists and the needs of the new Catholics.
And at the end of this year of mystagogy—what next? An essential component of the year-long process should include sowing the seeds for a lifetime of ongoing reflection on one’s faith journey. Looking to paragraph 75 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, we find four areas of judgment for entrance into the catechumenate—catechesis, community, liturgy, and service.8
An emphasis on growth in each
of those categories provides a natural framework for ongoing growth in faith for neophytes beyond their first year—that is, for a lifetime of mystagogy. Te year of mystagogy suggested above includes continued catechesis for the newly baptized, integration into the parish community through social and spiritual involvement in parish activities, opportunities for growth in their understanding of and participation in liturgy, and the foundation on which they can build a life of service and become the Body of Christ—for the parish, the community, and the world.
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