CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF DIVINITY ASSESSMENT 1 – SHORT ESSAY “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is not a programme, but a process.” CT9111C The Sacramental Theology of the RCIA Master of Arts (Theology) Lecturer-in-Charge: Dr. Elio Capra SDB Student Name: Mr Peter Carl Sheehan CTC Student ID No.: 201317602 (Word Count: approximately 1,000 words) 7 July 2015 “… A JOURNEY OF THE HEART NOT A PROGRAMME” The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) was restored by Vatican II Pope Paul VI, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium, in “The Documents of Vatican II: With Notes and Index”, Vatican Translation, ACBC (Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2009) 64 and is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a program, however it is called a process because ‘it refers to the way people grow’ Terry Wade Ed., The Parish Companion to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, 2nd Ed. (Melbourne: James Goold House Publications, 2005) 18. It is a process that respects the journey of the heart Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary Gen. Ed. (New York: Double Day, 2009) 346-347. – the centre of all our being - body, mind and soul Lk 12:34, Mk. 7:21-23 where adults ‘enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts’ Pope Paul VI, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Cased Ed. ICEL A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops Conferences (Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2003) 1. People ‘are called to the Gospel by the Holy Spirit’ (Rom. 5:5) RCIA General Introduction 7 to enquire about the faith (and teachings) of the Church and to know and encounter Christ with joy Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel Aust. Ed, (Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls 2013) 1,3, who is the central focus, both individually and in the community of the local church. It not a series of lessons but rather it allows for simple adaptations to be made to suit each person within a ‘catechumenate’ group. RCIA 2 There are three sacraments of Christian initiation into the paschal mystery RCIA 8 which together bring us to ‘the full stature of Christ’ to enable us to be missionary disciples RCIA General Intro. 2.  Baptism is the sacrament that Christ gave the apostles and the Church to be the door to the eternal life, cleanses our heart from sin (Acts 2:38, 1 Pet. 3:20-21) incorporates us into the people of his church, and the kingdom of God RCIA General Introduction 2-3. Confirmation signs us with the gift of the Spirit and at the table of the Eucharist we show our unity and eat Christ’s flesh and drink his blood RCIA General Introduction 2. It is a ‘gradual process of conversion that takes place within the community of the faithful’ RCIA 4 which can be likened to a sportsperson such as a footballer, who after being drafted (Rite of Acceptance) is formed and developed in the team within the club community (Catechumenate), is selected (Rite of Initiation) performs throughout the season(s) his role in the team (Mystagogy), then ultimately reaches the finals and wins the Premiership (Eternal Life)! Peter Carl Sheehan, Berwick: CTC, 30 June 2014 – “First, after being drafted (Rite of Acceptance), he prepares himself physically, he hones his skills; He then learns the team plan and his role in the team He has to get to know the other players he shares the role with He has to engage off field in club events in the club community; He has to engage in the wider community perhaps through the media He then has to prove he is match ready by playing practice games (Catechumenate) He then is finally selected, receives a jumper and plays the game (Rite of Election)! He then reviews the game with his coach / mentor and looks at what he did well, what he didn’t do right and areas where he could do better. He has to continue to keep himself fit and free from injury. He then plays throughout each season(s) until the team makes the finals; He then ultimately plays in a Grand Final team (Mystagogy). He then as part of the team, on and off field, wins the Premiership! He then shares the ultimate success with the club and the community (Heaven)!” The spiritual journey of the RCIA involves a number of steps or levels of inquiry and maturity through which must they must reach after different stages in their journey RCIA 6-7, 243, 376. These are: Evangelization and Precatechumenate is the initial period when the gospel of Christ is proclaimed and explained by priests, deacons, catechists; hearts are opened to the Holy Spirit RCIA 38,41 and their ‘initial faith and signs of conversion – changes in their life, repentance, prayer’ follow RCIA 18(1); 42 with the decision to become a Christian. There is no fixed time for this period to accommodate each individuals spiritual journey. It concludes with them being accepted as Catechumens at the celebration of the ‘Rite of Acceptance’ [Step 1]; During the Catechumenate period they nearly complete their catechumenate. They progress in the faith and do catechesis with its associated rites. This period may last for several years once again depending upon the spiritual growth of the candidate. It is concludes with the ‘Rite of Election’ or “Enrolment of Names’ [Step 2] RCIA 105-124 which is normally celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent RCIA 19; Purification and Enlightenment occurs throughout lent and should not exceed eight weeks duration. It includes three scrutinies on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent RCIA 20 and the presentations of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. RCIA 21 It concludes with receiving the ‘Sacraments of (Christian) Initiation’ [Step 3] preferably at the Easter Vigil . Because the RCIA is a gradual three step process (not a programme) it differs in its approach: Pastoral Care is critical. Adaptations to the rite can be made by the Bishop RCIA 34 or the Minister RCIA 35 so the persons status (whether baptised, catechised or children RCIA 242-249), needs and issues (if in danger of death RCIA 346-350 or exceptional circumstances – including sickness and old age RCIA 307-315) can be accommodated in a personal way, with prayer support and a mentor/ sponsor actively involved. Deacons can also assist with their formation RCIA 15. It respects and considers their family, friends and personal situation and circumstances as well as their spiritual progress; Timelines provide a template or structure but are flexible so they can fit to when the person is ready from a spiritual growth and life balance perspective RCIA 8, 26-30; Discernment means observing how they are responding along the journey at each stage and respects their intelligence and understanding, involvement levels and progression of their spiritual growth. This is more critical with children RCIA 242-43; The Celebration of Rites are done with Christian community and need to be adapted to their situation to what is relevant and appropriate. For example if they are baptised they cannot receive the Oil for Catechumens; Catechesis can be adapted for each individual’s knowledge and understanding. For example an Anglican minister (who is baptised and catechised) will have different needs RCIA 387, 391 - to a Muslim who knows very little about the faith – who will participate in the normal steps of a catechumenate. The minister would have a Rite of Welcome Wade, Op. Cit., 87-88 as the conclusion to very modified first period and a Rite of Presentation Wade, Ibid, 101-103 /Calling after a modified catechumenate. Doctrine is important but there can be other catechetical needs and forms such as growth in their awareness and knowledge of the faith community. This is facilitated by inviting an enquirer to church events or into their homes, personal conversations RCIA 9(2) and checking out some of the different parish ministries and groups; Sacraments of Initiation can be adapted more than the individual ‘rites’ to the culture and background; Planning and Celebration of Mystagogia means that it does not all end, after gathering on Sundays – with their sponsors - during the Easter Season RCIA 25 at Pentecost, rather it is a ongoing life long growth and learning and participation in the weekly Eucharist and the life of the Parish. A Pastoral heart … When the RCIA team takes a considered pastoral approach to, both baptised and non-baptised, Catholic and non-Catholic adults and children being initiated in to the Church, this results in successful adaptions which respect the individual in their faith journey, both their needs and their circumstances, their family and friends. It involves the whole church community, being present in each period and celebrating each step taken together, not solely with a priest. It is not tied to particular timeline as a programme is but follows a flexible template of steps so ‘if every year you’re doing it the same way, you are doing it wrong’ Elio Capra, Theology of the RCIA, Lecture (East Melbourne: University of Divinity, 29 June 2010). BIBLIOGRAPHY Capra, Elio. Theology of the RCIA Lecture, East Melbourne: University of Divinity, 29 June 2010 Hahn, Scott. Catholic Bible Dictionary Gen. Ed., New York: Double Day, 2009 Pope John Paul II. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 2nd ed., Sydney, NSW: St Pauls, 2000. Pope Paul VI, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Cased Ed. ICEL A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops Conferences (Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2003. Pope Paul VI, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium, in “The Documents of Vatican II: With Notes and Index”, Vatican Translation, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2009 USCCB, The New Catholic Answer Bible: The New American Bible, Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, 2011. Wade, Terry. Ed., The Parish Companion to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, 2nd Ed. Melbourne: James Goold House Publications, 2005. 2 Name: Peter Carl Sheehan ID: 201317602 CT9111C