May 1, 2009
The Christian Journey
Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead!
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
In the second century, the postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogia was called the “week of the white robes.” It was a time when the baptized, the catechumens, were stripped of their old clothes to symbolize “dying to their old way of life.” Then one-by-one they entered the baptismal bath naked. [If you ever visit Florence or Pisa in Italy, the baptismal chapels are located at the front entrances to the cathedrals.] Following baptism, their entire bodies were anointed with sacred chrism. Then, they were clothed in a white garment to signify their putting on Christ, their transfiguration into Christ. Entering the Cathedral to thunderous applause, they were presented to the bishop, who sealed them with the Spirit and shared the Eucharist with them. During Easter week, the new members wore their baptismal robes when gathering with their bishop; thus, the name “week of the white robes.”
The postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogia lasted only one week. Today the RCIA encourages this period to last until Pentecost Sunday. Many RCIA teams express frustration because often our new members do not return to the Sunday morning faith sharing sessions after Mass. Team members, I beg you to put aside your preconceived notions of mystagogia and spend time reading and reflecting on paragraphs 244-251 in the RCIA ritual.
You may be surprised to discover that the ritual understands this mystagogia or postbaptimal catechesis as not taking place apart from the Sunday assembly! The Sunday Eucharist is precisely the proper setting for this instruction to take place. Paragraph 247 says, “ . . . its main setting is the so-called Masses for neophytes, that is, the Sunday Masses of the Easter season.” Paragraph 248 encourages “Special places in the congregation are to be reserved for the neophytes and their godparents. The homily and, as circumstances suggest, the general intercessions should take into account the presence and needs of the neophytes.” No longer are our new members to be separated from the Eucharistic community.
Addressing our new members also provides an enriching catechesis for the entire church community. This is a good opportunity for new members themselves to share experiences of their faith journey during the RCIA (after communion or through the homilist). Has anyone not heard a dyed-in-the-wool Catholic say “if I had to go through that, I would not be baptized?” New members sharing their faith experiences can facilitate conversion within our parishes. [Remember — the sacraments are never just for the recipients, but for the entire Church.] My belief is that when our Catholics hear faith stories from our new members, they will appreciate the Church’s wisdom of the RCIA — this will help “The faithful to derive from it a renewal of inspiration and outlook.” (Paragraph 246).
Some practical suggestions:
- Reserve special places for your new members, their godparents and families during the Easter Season as the Rite instructs.
- Encourage your new members to participate in a different Mass each Sunday during the Easter Season so the entire parish will get to know them.
- Introduce your new members at each Sunday Mass of the Easter Season — we are to be a church of hospitality. (Paragraph 246 says that the new members are to enter into closer ties with the other faithful.)
- Homilists, address a few words to the new members as the ritual suggests.
- Include the new members in the prayers of the faithful.
- Invite the new members to present the gifts at the Masses they attend.
- Have new members share their stories during Mass or through the homilist.