LATEST NEWS

2013-05-24

The Domaine des Messieurs-de-Saint-Sulpice

This summer, discover on Mount Royal, in the midst of downtown Montreal, a true gem of the city’s heritage: a historical site recounting a largely unknown episode of the early days of the city.

2013-05-21

1,700 thank yous!

On the strength of the success of the citizens’ initiative of Saturday, May 18, the Quebec Rally Against Euthanasia announces today that the spirit of the March will go on under a new name: the Springtime Mobilisation.

2013-05-21

Launching of “Be My Disciples”

On Friday May 10, 2013, the Nouvel Hotel was not only bustling with tourists but with disciples of Jesus Christ. The launching of the program “Be My Disciples” was attended and enjoyed by more than 70 participants.

Catholic Church of Montreal > Faith in Daily Life > Becoming Catholic

A Brief History of the Catechumenate

Life often precedes institutions: the same is true of the process of becoming Christian, also known as the catechumenate. In the origins of Christianity - as can be observed at the end of the Gospel of Matthew - we witness a threefold dictate from Jesus. Here we discover the first parameters of evangelization: make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to keepwhat Jesus stipulated (Mt 28:19-20).

Time and Meaning of the Catechumenate

The catechumenal journey involves plumbing the history of a person who undertakes apprenticeship in the unique and singular encounter with the living and risen Christ. It is a journey that, like the one taken by the disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), is accomplished through transitions, discoveries, transformations, and conversions but also through questioning, doubt, and trial and error.

Accompanying and Sponsoring: Two Ways to Walk with Someone on the Journey of Faith

The very first signs of catechumenal accompaniment date back to the origins of the Christian era. The apostles already offered rudimentary instruction to those seeking baptism (see Acts 8:30-36). During these first centuries, three representatives from Christian communities accompanied the candidates.

The Opportunity and Challenge of Parish-Based RCIA: The Experience of St. Patrick’s Basilica

On this Easter vigil,when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life, eleven people gather among the throngs, waiting in anticipation in the darkness of this most holy night. Suddenly a light is struck dispelling the shadows. It is the Light of Christ.

Towards Mystagogical Communities

The contemporary practice of the catechumenate has allowed us to rediscover mystagogy. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ² mentions the "period of mystagogy" (or postbaptismal catechesis) as the final period of Christian initiation3. Therefore the catechumenal process does not go too far too fast. Once the sacra-ment of initiation has been received, the process respects the maturation of faith in neophytes.