RCIAPrayer in the Period of the

Catechumenate

“Rediscover the journey in faith”

They have experienced: Evangelisation: pre-catechumenate• Beginning….to pray

with scripture (RCIA 38)

• Drawn into mystery of God (RCIA 37)

• My story & God’s story .. Coming to know Jesus

• Relationship developing

• Sense of Church at prayer– beginning of the

spiritual life

Rite of Acceptance Rite of Election

Bishop: God’s holy Church wishes to know whether these are sufficiently prepared to be enrolled among the elect for the coming celebration

of Easter…

• Have they faithfully listened to God’s word proclaimed by the Church?

• Have they responded to that word and begun to walk in God’s presence?

• Have they shared the company of their Christian brothers and sisters and joined with them in prayer?

What are your HOPES for those who enter the period of the Catechumenate?

Doors of grace

HOPES of the Church:“Suitable pastoral formation and

guidance aimed at training them in the Christian life…” (RCIA 75)

• PROFOUND sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate

• Example and support of entire Christian community… learn to turn more readily to God in prayer… to follow supernatural inspiration

• Church ‘like a mother’.. Suitable liturgical rites… led into life of faith and worship…

• Enlighten… direct the heart towards God… foster participation… inspire … nurture a life completely in accord with the spirit of Christ

• Presentations of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer may be anticipated

Growth in personal relationship with God

• Alone• And with

others…

Exercise: (1) Prayer for me is…(2) What do you want to offer

catechumens/candidates? How?

For personal prayer ….

With others

What opportunities have you come up with?

• To help growth in personal prayer

• Growth through prayer together?

Celebrations of the Word

Liturgy/Rites belonging to the period of the Catechumenate (RCIA 81 )

1. Celebrations of the Word of God – according to liturgical season

2. Sunday – participation in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass

3. Options (often at end of a Celeb.of Word)Minor Exorcisms – uncover and heal BlessingsBlessings – sign of God’s love and church’s tender care Anointings – for opening to grace/strength/wisdomPresentations – ‘this is our faith’ - when they are ready

Why bother? – the purposes of the Rites (See RCIA 82)

Special Celebrations of the Word of God:

1.To implant in their hearts the teachings they are receiving

2. to give them instruction and experience in the different aspects and ways of prayer

3. To explain to them the signs, celebrations and seasons of the liturgy

4. To prepare them gradually to enter the worship assembly of the entire community

Your experienceon your own first

– Recall a memorable experience of prayer in a ‘Celebration of the Word’

– What was it that made it special? How did it touch you/nourish/sustain you?

Share in 2’s and 3’s:• What are the elements of a

Celebration of the Word? • Why is the experience of

liturgical rites so important in the journey in faith?

Gospel catechesis

RCIA 47: The church nourishes them with the Word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations… the catechumens should be eager to take part in celebrations of the Word of God and receive blessings and other sacramentals

Catechising with the Word Together: Why bother?

I know in the presence of my brothers and sisters I have very often understood many things in the sacred text that I could not understand alone

St Gregory (Homily on Ezekiel)

Over the course of a liturgical year the central message of Christ and the teaching voice of the Church emerges: we are encouraged to live what we experience in our hearts, recognising the Presence of Christ amongst us.

Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer(normally in Lent, but can be

anticipated)• ‘The church lovingly entrusts to

them the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, the ancient texts that have always been regarded as expressing the heart of the Church’s faith and prayer’. (134)

• ‘The Lord’s Prayer fills them with a deeper realisation of the new spirit of adoption by which they will call God their Father, especially in the midst of the eucharistic assembly’ (134)

• Our Father,……………………….• who art in heaven, ………….• hallowed be thy name; …..• thy kingdom come; ………..• thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven. …………..• Give us this day our daily

bread …………………………..• and forgive us our

trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;…………………………………

• and lead us not into temptation,…………………

• but deliver us from evil……

We pray together:• Almighty and eternal God• You continually enlarge the family

of your Church.• You have given us new birth in your

living waters, for we are your adopted children.

• Deepen our faith and understanding as we journey together

• May we be open to all wisdom and courage as we live and share the gift of faith.

• Through Christ Jesus your Son. Amen

As we go in peace, may the Lord remain with us always. Amen