Christian Initiation
-
-
National Statutes for the Christian Initiation of Adults
The implementation date for the National Statutes for the Christian Initiation of Adults is the First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2024). On this date the 1988 National Statutes for the Catechumenate will be abrogated.
-
-
-
ORder of Christian Initiation of Adults
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2025), all parishes must begin to use the Order Of Christian Initiation Of Adults / Ritual de la Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos published in the United States.
-
-
-
Adult Baptisms
"For adults today, the Church, after the Second Vatican Council, has restored the order of the Catechumenate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It outlines the steps for the formation of catechumens, bringing their conversion to the faith to a greater maturity. It helps them respond more deeply to God's gracious initiative in their lives and prepares them for union with the Church community. This process is meant to form them into the fullness of the Christian life and to become disciples of Jesus, their teacher" (USCBB, United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p 188).
In the Diocese of Brownsville, we have already made distinctions between the process and the ritual book used for Adult Baptisms. Parishes have already been asked to consider changing the name of the process to either Christian Initiation or Catechumenal Ministry. The current ritual book for the United States is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. We anticipate some time in the near future that we will have the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
-
-
-
Baptized Christians (non-Catholics)
For adults who have already been baptized Christian in another faith tradition, the Catholic Church has the Order of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church of Those Already Validly Baptized by a non-Catholic minister. The Candidates are asked to participate in a formation process to help them understand and have a lived-experience of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although some times this preparation in done with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the liturgical preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities.
Only after they have received a “suitable catechesis and spiritual formation", the Candidates are prepared and are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance during the Season of Lent. Having celebrated Penance, they are invited to celebrate the Order of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church of Those Already Validly Baptized by a non-Catholic minister as ounlined in Part II, Chapter 6 of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults during the Easter Season. In the Diocese of Brownsville, this typically takes place on Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter).
-
-
February 7, 2023OVERVIEW OF CHRISTIAN INITIATIONFormation for Parish Teams
-