Sacraments of Initiation

RCIA and the preparation of children to receive the sacraments of initiation are a gift to the catechumens, candidates, families, RCIA and sacramental teams and the whole of the parish.

The sacraments are a gift, given freely by God, no strings attached.

In Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSVCE) we are clearly instructed to, ^“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

While this may seem like a rather daunting task, we are reminded of this commissioning every week as we are dismissed from Mass, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” (Daily Mass Book 2019, p72).  In ‘glorifying the Lord by our life” we are modelling and therefore teaching. We are also reminded that Jesus is with us always as we are strengthened through Eucharist – proclamation of the Word of God, thanksgiving to God, consecration of the bread and wine, participation in Holy Communion (CCC 1408).

Part of this preparation and teaching is ‘prayer’. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2559) defines Christian Prayer as ‘the raising of one’s mind and heart to God’. While there is a wide range of literature on the subject, what the catechumens and candidates and parents see will have a huge influence on their formation in the Catholic faith.

The RCIA has a range of time that is possibly a bit more flexible than what the sacrament preparation program experiences. So, how can we as ‘dynamic Catholics’ make the most of the time that we have with those enquiring and preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation?

The families preparing children to receive the sacraments of initiation will come from a wide variety of contexts regarding Catholic knowledge and commitment to what is perceived as ‘practicing’ the Catholic faith, namely experiencing Mass on a weekly basis. Through the workshops, workbooks, activities and modelling we are trying to ignite a ‘Eucharistic hunger’ that will lead parents and children to the table.

Fr Richard Leonard (2013) in his book Why Bother Praying states that, “When we pray we are asking our holy, loving, and unchanging God to change us, and thereby change the world” (p28).  With this in mind, we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us to find subtle and welcoming ways to reach those entrusted to us in their learning journey in the Catholic faith.

Some ideas to encourage and foster prayer through RCIA and sacramental preparation:

1. Have a designated prayer space at all sessions, reflecting the liturgical season of the church. Invite and encourage participants to create a prayer space in their home for the duration of sacramental preparation. Have them send in photos that can be inserted into a PPT which can be subtly showing as they gather for the next session; nothing needs to be said, the PPT will say it all.  (There may be a person in the parish who would be able to do this task.)

2. Most sessions would begin with a prayer (vocal prayer experience) - Blessed First Communion and Blessed First Reconciliation by Dynamic Catholic have good prayers to begin the Communion and Penance sessions. Consider finishing the session with a prayer and possibly using a chime or rainstick to ‘set the scene’ and ‘return to ordinary time’.

3. Are the participants experiencing different types of prayer? Is it possible to incorporate a short ‘meditation’ or moments of ‘silent’ prayer? Prayer Strategies (2014) by Beth Nolen is a good resource that offers ideas on prayer in the Christian Tradition (Available through the St Joseph’s Cathedral Gift and Bookstore).

4. Consider gifting parents (or incorporate into the registration fee) the book from the Catholic Enquiry Centre, Australia called Discovering Prayer – a 30 day journey of encountering God, and love. A gesture of hospitality towards parents as they journey with their children.

Matthew Kelly in his book Dynamic Catholic (2012) states that ‘Prayerlessness is one of the great torments of modern times” and that, “When we are spiritually healthy, nothing bothers us” (p70).

Children and parents in our diocese may be familiar with “Making Jesus Real (MJR)” developed by Peter Mitchell, with four levels of resources designed for prep-yr 2; yrs 3-4; yrs. 5-6 and the newest resources for yrs. 7-8.  References to MJR could enhance the connection between parish and school. Members of sacramental teams working in Catholic schools are familiar these resources (available from Garrett Publishing).