John Michael Reyes is Director of Adult Spirituality for Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, CA.
Q. My parish has historically confirmed candidates for confirmation at the Easter Vigil — those who were baptized and uncatechized and those who were in need of confirmation only. We have been told recently to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation with the already-baptized at a time other than the Easter Vigil. So when should they …
Q. We have eight seekers in our RCIA process. Only three or four are participating in Sunday Mass. I have stressed the importance of Sunday Eucharist, and I’m baffled about how to deal with this challenge. Do you have any suggestions? A. Thanks for your question. I hear you and know how you feel! When …
Q. We have a candidate who was baptized as a Baptist going through RCIA. Can he be confirmed with our teen confirmation candidates when the bishop comes to celebrate? A.Thanks for reaching out. Your candidate needs to celebrate the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church prescribed in RCIA Part II:5. …
Q&A: Can we celebrate confirmation with an RCIA candidate when the bishop comes to our parish?
Q: When is the appropriate time for an inquirer or catechumen to begin using the Sign of the Cross? A: You have probably heard the saying, lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of praying establishes the law of belief). The Sign of the Cross perfectly illustrates that maxim. However, there do not seem to be any canonical or juridical …
Q&A: When should we introduce RCIA seekers to the Sign of the Cross?
One of the challenges of being quarantined is how to draw more seekers to our parish and our initiation process. Strategies for “marketing” ourselves are not different in principle during a pandemic than they are when life is normal. However, some of what we might have done in the past becomes even more critical when …
Most sponsors want to do a good job, and they put a lot of effort into doing their ministry well. Besides the responsibilities, any good sponsor would want to know: “what kinds of gifts do I give my catechumens/candidates?” Before one gets their hands on a church goods catalog in search for a gift, let …
Q: For the first time we have only Candidates and no Catechumens preparing for the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Can we/do we celebrate the Scutinies as prescribed, and do we use the Year A readings for RCIA even if we have no Catechumens? A: It is a little confusing as to where to find …
Q&A: Can you celebrate the Scrutinies with baptized candidates if you have no catechumens?
According to a study conducted by University of Kansas professor Jeffrey Hall and published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, it takes 50 hours to make a friend. 50 hours! After I read that, I turned to the RCIA. In order for one to become friends with Jesus Christ, the catechumens have to …
