The Adult Catechumenate and Christian Formation: The “Eye-Opening” Catechumenate
Last week I took a hiatus from blogging on the catechumenate course I am teaching at the seminary. The last three class periods, however, have provided some “eye-opening” moments. It’s not surprising that an experience that leads catechumens to the revelation of the mysteries of the rites of initiation should pop with eye-opening moments. In this case at least three things have proven so revelatory. The first unit of the course has focused upon the catechumenate’s liturgies, from the rites of acceptance and election to the rites of initiation. As we have been exploring the rites, we have been reading through Journey to Jesus as part of introducing the contours of the catechumenate in specific contexts, in this case the four congregations that Rhoda and I researched. I would point to three things as eye-opening to the students (and they never cease to have the same effect on me): 1) The unique stories of the catechumenate in our four congregations; 2) The catechetical potentials of the African Bible Study method; 3) The profound effect of the post-baptismal anointing in initiation.
First, the unique stories. I had the students give demonstrations to the class representing each of the congregations, trying to convince us of the benefits of that congregation’s catechumenal structures and practices. They all sought to enter into the individual, contextual character of the catechumenates at St. John, St. Mary’s, Living Faith and Redeemer. It was “eye-opening” to see how very diverse catechumenates can be so compelling in initiating new Christians into the Christian assembly.
Second, the African Bible Study presents to many students a completely new way of exposing people to the Word of God. They noted that it introduces catechumens to the primary gospel story, facilitates the kinds of questions they bring to the text, provides an opportunity for theological and spiritual exploration without having to feel that one has to provide the right answers, and allows—as one student said—the Holy Spirit through the Word to do the primary work of bringing people to faith in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit. What would not be “eye-opening” about that?
Third, I had them watch the movie This is the Night about the catechumenate at a Roman Catholic congregation in Texas in the early 90’s. While the movie is dated, now some 30+ years old, I can remember the first time I watched it in my doctoral studies at Notre Dame (it was new at the time) and how “eye-opening” it was for me. The post-baptismal anointing (confirmation) was “eye-opening” because the priest pours so much oil on the neophytes’ heads and then rubs it into their faces. “Do all Roman Catholic congregations use that much oil?” (Answer: No) “How would most LCMS members receive an anointing like that?” (Answer: Probably in 90% of cases, not well. But that doesn’t mean oil can’t be used.) But their eyes were opened to how anointing can be part of the way in which the neophytes experience the pouring out of the Spirit in their baptism.
I am thankful that my students’ eyes have been opened in these ways by catechumenal practices even as the church rejoices in all the “eye-opening” experiences of these Great 50 Days!