Why is mystagogical catechesis—the kind of catechesis envisioned by the RCIA—so important? Why not just give seekers a catechism, tell them to memorize it, come back when they have, and zap them into the church, no muss, no fuss?
The reason lies in the deepest wish Jesus has for those who earnestly search for God: intimate communion with his Father.
Catechesis in the RCIA is called mystagogical because it assumes that those so catechized will be led into the heart of sacred mysteries. The initiation process not only brings the seeker into intimate communion with God but also transforms his or her life from the inside out—a complete and total metanoia, or conversion.
Christ’s wish for his people is a life of committed discipleship, intimate union with the God who lives within, and a life lived in the shadow of the gospel.
In RCIA catechesis, faith is caught, not just taught
Jesus taught us that faith comes to life when it is shared—when it is lived in community. Faith is not simply taught, it is caught. How is it caught? It is caught by observing it and by living it with others. Jesus said, “Come and see.” Mystagogical catechesis teaches us what it means to be in intimate communion with God in relationship with God’s people.
When my faith is lackluster, nothing brings me to my knees faster than the example of faith-filled parishioners who face untold challenges and yet affirm with every stress-filled breath that they have nothing to fear. They believe that God has been, will be, and is there for them to guide and lead them through the challenges they face. Real people. Real stories.
RCIA catechesis includes stories of faith and conversion
How will those who seek the living God ever learn what it means to turn their lives over to him unless they have been touched by someone who did? Stories of faith and conversion as well as an apprenticeship in the Christian community pave the primary path toward entering the depth of mystery one encounters in the RCIA.
One’s heart must be converted and directed toward God in order for Christian theology and doctrine to have any meaningful impact on the life of believers. If our primary concern is teaching doctrine with little attention given to conversion, we are putting the cart before the horse. The first step on the road to mystagogical catechesis envisioned by the RCIA is to place the hands of inquirers into the hands of committed Christians who nurture their relationship with God and tell them to “go and live what you see.”
Thus, the first step in implementing the mystagogical catechesis of the RCIA is to get our inquirers, catechumens, and candidates connected. Find sponsors who are faith-filled, active parishioners. Introduce inquirers, catechumens, and candidates into parish life and activities, especially those groups committed to conversion and good gospel living. For example, get seekers involved in groups such as “Christ Renews His Parish,” retreat and renewal programs, the Knights of Columbus, the Women’s Group, outreach groups, and small faith communities.
One catechumen in my parish who suffered from incredible challenges in his life remained faithful to the process only because the Knights of Columbus embraced him and walked with him in a very difficult time in his life. The Knights invited him deeply into the mystery of God’s love by living what Saint Teresa reminded us: “Christ has no body now but ours.” Mystagogical catechesis begins with an encounter with Christ from within and in the life of the community.
How do you do it?
What is your method for implementing mystagogical catechesis? Please share some of your best practices.
Nick, thanks for another great blog. My method of implementing mystagogical catechesis has changed since participating in your webinar on dismissals. That particular webinar has greatly influenced my thinking and subsequent methods.
If we are to have mystagogical catechesis that infers it will be led/coordinated/facilitated by a mystagogue – someone who leads you into the mystery. In this case it is the mystery of the joy of the encounter with Jesus, the experience of God and the sense of salvation.
Since participating in that webinar I now use the 3 simple questions from that webinar to guide the catechumens to a more profound experience and getting them to express how it affects them now and helping them discern how they will want to do things in the future as a result of this experience. Those three questions that featured in that webinar are (1) What do you see? (2) What do you hear? (3) So what – what difference is this going to make in my life?
The advantage of using these questions is that they encourage faith storytelling of our experiences rather than just imparting knowledge/information.
Although that webinar was specifically on dismissals, I use those 3 questions in both dismissal and catechetical sessions. It helps me move the focus away from the leader to one that focuses on the personal experiences and discoveries of the catechumens.
It requires some preparation work, mainly reflecting on and researching starter questions to develop the deeper level discussion experience around the readings in dismissal sessions and around the scriptures and content of a catechetical session.
Just became the Leader of Adult Education at my parish… I may have the duties of putting the RCIA program together next year.