Choreographing the Catechumenate

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process of welcoming and initiating and transforming us, the community of believers, from where we are to where we need to be. Could Catechetical Sunday be the hidden rite of the RCIA that we are invited to celebrate in September?

As with all new beginnings, we mark the moment. A new year, a new group, a new member, a new hunger — each must be noted and celebrated. No one is missed or neglected. This time is called the period of evangelization and precatechumenate for someone new to our community (36). For those of us returning to this September celebration for the 10th, 20th, or 73rd time, we better know why we are back for more. It is always about setting an intention; in September we are setting an intention for the coming year for our prayer lives and our work lives.

The words “catechumenate” and “catechetical” are twin sisters. They begin their new life each year in relationship to one another. The entire catechetical/catechumenate process is either begun or honored on Catechetical Sunday. The ritual asks the Christian community members to step forward and speak their intentions for the year.

Everyone starts outside. The Book of the Gospels sits in the fire pit used on the Easter Vigil. We begin in the same place where we will end. “It is a time of evangelization: faithfully and constantly the living God is proclaimed and Jesus Christ whom God has sent for the salvation of all. Thus those who are not yet Christians, their hearts opened by the Holy Spirit, may believe and be freely converted to the Lord and commit themselves sincerely to him” (36).

This is the day to announce clearly to the community the intention of the year. This is the moment we all step into catechesis (and as such, the catechumenate) together. This is the day to reclaim our role as “primary catechist” to ourselves, then to our families, and finally, to all living creatures. Our lives are a textbook; our prayer is a hymnal from which others sing.

After the presider has clearly set the intention — to evangelize — and invited each person to reclaim the role of catechist, we hear and see the image and words of the Catechetical Sunday theme. A huge banner proclaiming the theme of the year is unfurled or enters the space. This year the theme is “Love Beyond All Telling.” As the banner is lifted or lowered, the “theme song” of the year is sung. The community should carefully choose its song, for it will be used in worship at various times during the catechumenal and catechetical year. The song then goes into underlay.

The presider opens the liturgy with the sign of the cross and the trinitarian greeting of the opening rites. The opening rite is the opening of the whole year, the whole point, the whole truth of our church; it is the opening of the catechumenate, the catechetical programs, small faith communities, Scripture study groups, RENEW groups, the adult education programs, the social justice programs, the youth group, the senior group, the Daughters of Charity, the Knights of Columbus, the rosary society, the parish council, the school — everything that gathers people in faith and helps them come to know Christ better. As each group is mentioned the leader or representative of the group will go to the banner.

The commitment statements of the year are read, and the people respond wholeheartedly. A huge drum, gong or bell should sound after each affirmation. We are resounding in the new year and expanding and deepening our faith by sending out our commitment, our “I dos,” with the help of the instruments. With every “I do” to the following questions, each group’s leader sprinkles (from a huge bowl of water and huge branch) the banner, blessing it with their leadership and commitment. 

• Do you promise to continue in your own faith formation and catechesis this coming year?
• Do you promise to continue to teach by example and word as the primary catechist in the home and community?
• Do you promise to encourage and support those teachers and catechists that are being called forth today from the community to lead our catechumenate and catechetical programs for the year?
• Do you promise to speak and act like Christ in the workplace?
• Do you promise to spend time in prayer and spiritual reading? Do you promise to create spaces in your home and schedule for learning more about your faith?
• Do you promise to be catechist to all, especially the young and the stranger? Do you promise to be a walking catechumenate, holding a prayer for those who have come to inquire about our parish community?
• Do you promise to be here on Easter Vigil to celebrate this year of intentional growth in Spirit and community?

The underlay turns back into the song of the year. The Gospel Book is picked up from the fire pit. The banner is carried and leads all to the baptismal font. The group leaders are first in the procession following the banner. 

Next month, we will continue this lost rite at the baptismal font — the place of the oils, the table and the commissioning of all as catechist and catechumenate for the year of “Love Beyond All Telling.”

 Michael Mansfield teaches dance, theater, ritual, justice-making, and spirituality at the University of Creation Spirituality, in Oakland, Calif. He ministers at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Concord, and at St. Paschal Baylon Church and School, Oakland. Send him e-mail at mansfield@rpinet.com.