Welcome

And Implications for All Sacramental Initiation with Children With Rita Burns Senseman

 Explore RCIA and name 5 guiding principles RCIA, Part II, Chapter 1, “Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age” 1.Form of Part I of RCIA 2.Seekers on a journey of conversion 3.Parents 4.Companions 5.Liturgical catechesis

 Draw implications for all sacramental initiation with children in our parishes 1. Do mystagogical catechesis 2. Baptismal catechumenate as model 3. Emphasize the unity of sacraments of initiation

 “This form of the rite of Christian initiation is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age.  They seek initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative.”

 A form of Part 1 - the norm  Part 1, “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults”  Part II, “Rites for Particular Circumstances” Chapter 1, “Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age”

 “The Christian initiation of these children requires a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed…  No. 253  See Part 1, nos., 1, 5

…the influence of their parents (no. 254).

 “as much help and example as possible” (no )  Participate in formation sessions  In preparation session for the rites  In mystagogical reflections after rites  Give witness during the rites  Be involved in discernment  Be “primary catechist” at home

 Sponsor (no. 260) “if they cannot come…place should be taken by ‘sponsors’”  Sponsoring family

 “The children’s progress in the formation they receive depends on the help and example of the companions and on the influence of their parents. Both these factors should be taken into account.”  No. 254

 “…a group of children of the same age who are already baptized and are preparing for confirmation and eucharist, their initiation progresses gradually and within this supportive setting of this group of companions.”  No

 Sponsoring families with children of similar ages  Companions participate in catechumenal sessions (see no. 255)  Catechumens participate in some religious education, youth ministry (National Statutes, no. 19)  Give witness at the rites

 “As with adults, their initiation is marked by several steps, the liturgical rites of acceptance in to the order of catechumens… the optional rite of election… penitential rites or scrutinies… and the celebration of the sacraments of initiation… corresponding to the periods of adult initiation are the periods of the children’s catechetical formation that lead up to and follow the steps of the initiation” (no. 253).

Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens Rite of Election *Sacraments of Initiation* Life in Christ: Mission and Discipleship Precatechumenate Catechumenate Purification & Enlightenment Mystagogy Liturgical Catechesis

Parents, companions, sponsors accompany children on the journey…

1. Evangelization and Precatechumenate 2. Catechumenate 3. Purification and Enlightenment 4. Mystagogy

 Dad - lifelong Catholic  Mom – unchurched  Austin – 5 th grade  Maddie – 2 nd grade  Ciera – 5 years

 Discern evangelization needs of children & family to determine length of this period  Mazers Precatechumenate group (no. 255)  Maddie – some 2 nd grade rel ed  Ciera – preschool rel ed  Austin – precatechumenate group

 Intergenerational  Sponsoring families attend  Companions attend  Some children may also attend religious ed  Some children need more evangelization “Extended over several years” (no. 253)

Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens Rite of Election *Sacraments of Initiation* Life in Christ: Mission and Discipleship Precatechumenate Catechumenate Purification & Enlightenment Mystagogy Liturgical Catechesis

 Dismissal from 9:00 mass  Extended catechetical session after mass Parents join Companions and sponsors Some weeks do social, prayer, service (nos. 75.2, 75.3, 75.4) Minor rites (nos )  Blessings  Exorcism  Anointing

 Discernment with children prior to election Parents, sponsors, catechists, pastor  Rite of Sending  Cathedral with adults  Rite of Election in Part II, Chp. 1 Nos

 Liturgical catechesis (no. 138)  Preparation for scrutinies and presentations  Celebration of scrutinies and presentations Penitential Rite (Scrutiny) for children – See nos. 291ff  Mystagogical reflection on scrutinies and presentations  Preparation Rites on Holy Saturday

Children of catechetical age are to receive baptism, confirmation and eucharist at same celebration.  See nos. 206, 215, 256, 304, 308.  National Statutes,  Code of Canon Law; canons 842, 852, 866, 883.

“ A period of postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogy should be provided to assist the young neophytes and their companions who have completed their Christian initiation. The period can be arranged by an adaptation of the guidelines given for adults…” No. 330

 Helps child and parents understand their participation in paschal mystery  Begins with personal experience of the sacrament Unpacks the experience  Part of larger process of liturgical catechesis

 Preparation for the rite  Celebration of the (sacramental) rite  Reflection after the rite (mystagogy) Calls for response and leads to mission  Do this process with all sacraments.

Implication 1.B. Catechist training for liturgical catechesis  Catechists need better training in the liturgy and liturgical catechesis See no. 30 of General Directory for Catechesis

 General Directory for Catechesis “is the model of the [Church’s] catechizing activity “some elements of the baptismal catechumenate are now considered as the source of inspiration for post- baptismal catechesis.”  No. 91

 Have a more “gradual character” (GDC, #91) Discernment Journey of conversion Rather than grade level  Involve “entire Christian community” (GDC,#91)  Whole community liturgical catechesis  A time for the community to…deepen “their grasp of the paschal mystery” (no. 244)

 Emphasize the unity of sacraments of initiation as far as possible  Diminish fragmentation in pastoral praxis Infant baptism Penance and First Communion Confirmation RCIA with children and adult  Incorporate children into Christ through celebration of paschal mystery

RCIA With ChildrenImplications For All Sacraments 1. Form of the RCIA, Part I 2. Seekers on journey of conversion 3. Parents 4. Companions 5. Liturgical rites and liturgical catechesis are constitutive 1. Do mystagogical catechesis  Do liturgical catechesis  Train catechists 2. Baptismal catechumenate is model 3. Emphasize unity of sacraments of initiation  Life in Christ through paschal mystery

Questions and Answers

 A Child’s Journey: The Christian Initiation of Children  When You are an RCIA Sponsor  When Your Child Becomes Catholic All from St. Anthony Messenger Press  Anointed in the Spirit Confirmation preparation programs for middle school and high school from St. Mary’s Press  “Celebrating the Minor Rites with Children” Catechumenate, November, 2008

Also coming Fall 2011… From Rita and St. Anthony Messenger Press Catechumenate Session Plans for children and families To include  Dismissal Catechesis for every Sunday  Extended Catechetical Sessions  Intergenerational Sessions, adaptable for Children only

And Implications for All Sacramental Initiation with Children With Rita Burns Senseman

Follow up regarding this Webinar  each participant has receive via … Instructions on how to order the CD of this webinar The latest NA Forum calendar of Institutes and Conferences (Both are also available on

Upcoming Opportunities with attention to RCIA and children BEGINNINGS “PLUS” INSTITUTE June 22-25, 2011, Diocese of Saginaw (MI)—with focus on adults & children July 28-31, 2011, Diocese of St. Augustine (FL)—with focus on adults & children CHILDREN AND CHRISTIAN INITIATION March 29-30, 2011, Diocese of Trenton (NJ) June 9-10, 2011, Ascension Parish, Oak Park IL (Archd. of Chicago) August 12-13, 2011, Archdiocese of Washington (DC)  And more webinars to come!

North American Forum on the Catechumenate (202) Executive Director: Jim Schellman Find us on Facebook!