In our last post on the 4th century mystagogical catecheses, Rhoda explored the enriching images grounded in Jesus’ own baptism: being anointed by the Spirit and chosen as God’s child. We were going to turn to the third part of the rites of initiation, the Eucharist, today. But I (Kent) can’t miss the opportunity to […]
Last week Kent wrote about the post-baptismal anointing in the West (with Ambrose as our source) and its ritual connection with the coming of the Holy Spirit. This week we’ll look at an earlier stratum of baptismal anointing from East Syrian and Armenian sources. In the 1970s liturgical scholar Gabriele Winkler broke new ground in […]
In our last post on the 4th century mystagogical catecheses I (Kent) mentioned that among the primary biblical images for baptism is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The patterns for pre-baptismal and post-baptismal anointings vary across regions (Rome had two post-baptismal anointings, other places only one pre-baptismal anointing). All of these anointings unpacked symbolically […]
We are pleased to share with our readers information about an upcoming workshop led by the Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, which is part of Concordia Seminary’s Faculty Led Workshop series. Dr. Filipek shares our passion for adult faith formation and partnered with us for our online conferences in 2020 and 2021, serving as a breakout […]
Kent and Rhoda had an engaged group of pastors, deaconesses, and laity attending their seminar on adult faith formation at the Institute of Liturgical Studies, held at Valparaiso University, their alma mater. There were both those with extensive experience in using faith formation practices and those who were neophytes to their use. The Rite of […]
The images are many but the reality is one. Three weeks ago in this series on the ancient mystagogy, Rhoda led us into the multivalence of the baptismal images. Baptism is both tomb and womb in the mystagogy of Ambrose and Theodore. It also adoption and cleansing and the pouring out of the Spirit (more […]
Several decades ago, one Wednesday evening after a particularly difficult session with a singularly unruly class, the devout lay woman and long-time teacher for fifth- and sixth-grade confirmation instruction at our church had had enough; she quit. Feeling called (reluctantly, like Jonah) to step into the role and finish the school year, I took up […]
It is not too late to register for the Institute of Liturgical Studies (ILS) held at Valparaiso University, April 9 – 11. Kent and Rhoda will be leading a pre-meeting seminar on adult faith formation on Tuesday afternoon, April 9, 2024. Here is the description of the three-hour seminar: Adult Faith Formation: A Prophetic Challenge […]
Kent ended last week’s post by describing baptism as a “dramatic joining to the Lord Jesus Christ, by renouncing the Evil One, adhering to Jesus, and being washed to new life by drowning and dying in the baptismal tomb and womb.” He quoted extensively from Cyril of Jerusalem and John Chrysostom. Yarnold’s book, The Awe-Inspiring […]
Last week Rhoda provided insights from the ancient mystagogy regarding the giving (tradition) and return (redditio) of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer by the catechumens while on the doorstep of their baptisms. This week we turn to ceremonies that are a part of the baptismal rite itself: the Renunciation of Satan, Adhesion to Christ, […]