Guide For Celebrating Christian Initiation With Children

This resource shows both how to celebrate each of the rites within the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and how to prepare children and their families for full participation in the rites. Sets forth a theological framework for the initiation of children as well as the sound praxes provided in the rite. A table outlines the periods and steps in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, showing what takes place during each period and the rites belonging to the period. The Q&A chapter will answer a variety of questions for coordinators, directors of religious education and priests. A glossary defines the terms relevant to Christian initiation. Resources for future reference.

This invaluable guide for preparing the liturgies for the rites of Christian initiation will assist priests, liturgists, liturgy commissions, and coordinators of Christian initiation. The book focuses primarily on the rites for unbaptized adults but also considers the rites for uncatechized adults, the reception of baptized Christians into full communion, and the reception of Orthodox Christians. A Q & A chapter answers a range of questions for those who coordinate the process and parish pastors. A table outlines each period and step of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, indicating the rites that occur during each period and the length of each period. A glossary defines terms relevant to the Christian initiation process. The section on resources provides a library of initiation materials.

Children and Christian Initiation is a resource for Catholic parishes. This easy-to-use resource gives parents and sponsors the confidence to accompany children to full sacramental initiation. It helps them prepare children to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist by providing an overview of children’s spirituality, the vision of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the four periods of the initiation process, practical ways to prepare for the rites and reflect on them afterwards, experiential activities that link scripture with daily life and simple ways to continue the process at home.

Drawing on research carried out as part of the Baptism Project, and making helpful connections with popular catechetical material from sources such as Pilgrim, Simon Jones considers how, where, and for whom rites of Christian initiation are celebrated, and how baptism has been rediscovered as fundamental to the Church’s identity and mission. Very little has been written recently about the celebration of rites of Christian initiation. Focussing primarily on the material in Common Worship (including the new texts for baptism) as well as drawing on other liturgical traditions, this book fills the gap with a concise yet comprehensive treatment that takes full account of the latest needs and developments.

This resource aims to recognize and acknowledge that children of varying ages and states of faith formation undergo a variety of paths to Christian initiation. However, using the rite itself as a backbone, this new book will help RCIA coordinators, catechists, and DREs with suggestions on how to adapt the rite for children. The book will document the author's expertise and experience in ushering children through the process and offers readers practical suggestions to help children and families, and at the same time, helps to underscore that the Rite should be their foundation for how they will do this.

Parents play a vital role as their children prepare for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist through the catechumenal process. They help nurture their children’s faith and understanding as they accompany them on the path toward discipleship and initiation into Jesus Christ and his Church. This booklet answers the questions parents and guardians often ask as they help their children embrace the faith of the Catholic Church. It can also assist initiation coordinators, parish staff members, and catechists to begin a conversation with the parents and guardians as they and their children start on the path outlined in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Ideally, this resource will be given to the parents or guardians after the initial, face-to-face meeting and reinforce the explanation of why it is so important for parents or guardians to be involved in their child’s journey of faith: the Church says that parents are the primary catechists of their children and wishes for them accompany their children on the journey.

Celebrating Baptism well has the potential to evangelize and transform a parish community so that their faith will be stirred, deepened, and renewed. This second edition provides pastoral guidance for preparing joyful and communal celebrations of infant Baptism within or outside Mass according to the newly translated Order of Baptism of Children. It provides guidance for selecting Scripture readings, prayer texts, and music; arranging the environment; scheduling ministers; and preparing liturgies that engage and evangelize.