Mystagogy: A Way of Life
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Author
Wolodkiewicz, Sarah
Date
2000
Degree
Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology
Abstract
The idea, then, is to attempt to integrate the knowledge and experience of
the RCIA classes into daily life, specifically, the continuation of sacrament
participation resulting in a spirituality of daily living. A period or program of
"mystagogia" would seem to be helpful and appropriate. Mystagogy is described
in many RCIA resource books as the fourth stage of the catechesis process. Itis
described in the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" as, "...a time for the
community and the neophytes [those newly baptized] together to grow in
deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it part of their lives
through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the eucharist, and doing the works of
charity." We are encouraged to help the neophytes in this endeavor. The term
"mystagogy"” itself involves an attempt to more fully and effectively understand the
mysteries of Christ's passion, death and resurrection through the Gospel message
they have been hearing for the past several months (and at the recent Easter Vigil
liturgy) and, more importantly, through their recent experience of the sacraments
received at the Easter Vigil liturgy. These are the theological implications of this
pastoral concern.