We move on to chapter 4 in A Pastoral and Theological Commentary on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults titled “A Theology of Christian Initiation” by Dr. Kimberly Hope Belcher (who is on the faculty at Notre Dame). Belcher introduces this chapter by noting that in the ancient world, where participation “convey[ed] a share […]
This week we begin a new series on the Roman Catholic Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. We’ll be reviewing the introductory essays in A Pastoral and Theological Commentary on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, edited by Victoria M. Tufano and published by LTP. Why should Lutherans and other Protestants care about these […]
I just returned home from the 2025 Institute of Liturgical Studies (ILS), held at my and Kent’s undergraduate alma mater, Valparaiso University. It was my honor to introduce the recipient of the Christus Rex Award, Max Johnson, pictured (center) with ILS Director and VU Campus Pastor Jim Wetzstein (left) and moi (right). Max, like Phoebe […]
At the center of the catechumenal journey is the Pascha/Passover of our Lord Jesus Christ from death to life. It is the fundamental work of God that transforms the human person from rebel against God to trusting daughter or son. It is the event that reveals God’s heart of mercy and grace toward God’s creatures. […]
Learning From Each Other Catechesis That Raises Up Multiethnic Leaders for the Kingdom May 6-7, 2025 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Plenaries: Kent and Rhoda invite our readers to this annual symposium at Concordia Seminary; the cost is very reasonable! Registration is $85.00 (with an additional $15.00 each for 2 lunches). To learn more about […]
This week we turn to one of the final rites of the period of Enlightenment before Holy Saturday: The Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer to the Elect. As I indicated in a previous post on this rite, the presentation of the Lord’s Prayer takes place either on or following the Third Scrutiny on the 5th […]
Our nerdy journey into the new (yet retro) translation of the OCIA texts for the Scrutinies takes a divergent path this week (into the Latin original for comparison). A few reminders: These texts draw on the Gospel readings in Lent for Year A (Lent 3, 4, 5), all from the Gospel of John, all terrific […]
This week in our nerdy journey we take up the prayers of the Second Scrutiny rite in the OCIA/RCIA. As Rhoda indicated last week, “our goal is to set forth some principles for making sound theological and pastoral decisions when borrowing rites and prayers from a variety of sources. Our nerdiness is earnest and with […]