Initiation

12:314 Sacraments of Initiation

Fall Semester Online Course - 3 Credit Hours
August 30 - December 11, 2007
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
St. Meinrad, Indiana

Rev. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D,
Professor of Sacramental / Liturgical Theology

Course Description

This course will study the history of the ways in which Christians have initiated new members into their community. We will study the current Roman Catholic rites for initiation of adults and children. Reflection on the rites will help participants understand the theological meaning of the sacraments of initiation and will give background to contemporary discussions on such issues as the age for Confirmation, the necessity of Reconciliation before Eucharist, the meaning of Original Sin, etc. The course is designed to help the participants develop a Baptismal Spirituality, to understand and teach these sacraments, and to enable them to plan and celebrate the rites effectively.

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Assigned Reading

The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0-8146-6015-7. $19.77

Maxwell Johnson.  The Rites of Christian Initiation:  Their Evolution and Interpretation.  Liturgical Press. ISBN 0-8146-6011-8. $26.37

Keith F. Pecklers.  Worship:  A Primer in Christian Ritual.  Liturgical Press. ISBN 0-8146-2985-7. $18.21 (SMA Library:  BV 10.3.P44 2003)

For further information on the reading assignments for the course click here

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Course Objectives

The hoped for outcomes of the course are:
1.  A deeper appreciation of the role of the Sacraments of Initiation in Christian Spirituality as we try to live the Paschal Mystery.
2.  A familiarity with the current rituals, their vocabulary, structure, and meaning
3.  An understanding of the history, structure, and function of the rites of initiation.
4.  Insight into the unity of the Sacraments of Initiation
5.  An appreciation of the relation between Initiation and Church.
6.  A deeper understanding of redemption, salvation, grace, and original sin.
7.  The theological background necessary to enter into contemporary pastoral discussions regarding such issues as the sequence of the sacraments for children, the necessity of Baptism, the minister of Confirmation, the age for first Reconciliation, etc.
8.  The ability to prepare and celebrate the liturgical rites in parish settings.
9.  The ability to explain the fundamentals of Catholic Initiation theology.
10.  An interest in this material which will motivate life-long learning about the Sacraments of Initiation.

This course studies:
1. The origins and history of Christian Initiation
2. The current liturgical rites celebrating Christian Initiation
3. The theology expressed by these rites
4. Contemporary issues regarding initiation, e.g. the sequence of the sacraments

The course prepares one to:
1. Appropriate more fully a Baptismal Spirituality
2. Aid parents in the preparation of their children for the rites of initiation
3. Help catechumens in the RCIA understand and prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation

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Goals of the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)

 The Master of Theological Studies program at St. Meinrad University has the following Goal:  [A goal is defined as "a statement that describes the expected accomplishment of graduates during the first few years after graduation.@]

The goal of the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from the School of Theology is to strengthen the theological basis of a student=s life and work, whether in a ministerial or secular career. The degree also provide a basis understanding of the theological disciplines required for further graduate study.  The School of Theology congers the MTS degree on those students who successfully complete the academic program.  The curriculum consists of 48 semester hours (as few as 36 hours for students with previous theological training) offering courses that investigate the sources and resources of the Christian tradition.  Required areas of study include courses in systematic, biblical, historical and pastoral studies.  As a concluding exercise, the student must receive a passing grade on a research paper or a textual analysis.

The Master of Theological Studies program at St. Meinrad University has the following Outcomes:  [An outcome is defines as a statement that describes what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation.@]

1. Graduates will understand the biblical, historical, and doctrinal dimensions of Catholic belief and practice; (Assignments 1 &3)

2. Graduates will read and interpret theological texts critically; (Assignments 5 & 7)

3. Graduates will analyze issues of contemporary life and pastoral practice theologically; (Assignments 2, 4, 6, 8)

4. Graduates will identify the personal, social, and cultural influences on their theological interpretations and expressions. (Assignments 9 & 10)

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Course Outline

Module 1. Introduction  What is Liturgy
Module 2. Yesterday   History of the Rites of Christian Initiation
Module 3. Today   Current rituals for the celebration of the sacraments
Module 4. Tomorrow  The Rites of Christian Initiation in their cultural setting.  The future of these rites. 

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Module1. Introduction

Weeks 1-3
August 30 to September 15

Prepare
1.  Think about: What is liturgy? What should the liturgy be?
2.  Think about: How has my personal history of initiation influenced by theological thinking about initiation?

Read
1.  Orientation to Module 1 and the pertinent TRR website resources
2.  Pecklers Chapter 1: Worship and Ritual pp 1-32 (31 pages)
3.  Johnson, Introduction pp xii-xxii (10 pages)
4.  Pecklers Chapter 2: Worship in Development and Decline pp 33-66 (33 pages)
5.  Pecklers Chapter 3: Worship in Crisis and Challenge pp 67-90 (23 pages)

Write  (These first four postings are not part of your course grade.)
1.  Assignment #A:  Post a short autobiography.  Tell us something about yourself, your ministry, your progress toward the MTS and your course objectives and hopes for this class.  Post by midnight on September 1 For more information on this assignment click here.
2.  Assignment #B:  Take the Introductory Initiation Survey.    Post by midnight on September 4  For more information on this assignment click here.
3.  Assignment #C:  Introductory Essay.  Post by midnight on September 4  For more information on this assignment click here.
2.  Assignment #D:  Two responses to the Introductory Essay.  Post by midnight on September 11  For more information on this assignment click here.

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Module 2. Yesterday

 Weeks 4-8
September 16 to October 20

Prepare
1.  Think about:  How has the history of initiation influenced contemporary theological issues?
2.  Think about:  How has the history of initiation shaped our current rituals?

Read
1.  Orientation to Module 2 and the pertinent TRR website resources
2.  Johnson Chapter 1: The Origins of the Rites of Christian Initiation pp 1-32 (31 pages)
3.  Johnson Chapter 2: Christian Initiation in the Pre-Nicene Period pp 33-88 (55 pages)
4.  Johnson Chapter 3: Initiation in the Christian East During the Fourth and Fifth Centuries pp 89-124 (35 pages)
5.  Johnson Chapter 4: Initiation in the Christian West During the Fourth and Fifth Centuries pp 125-158 (33 pages)
6.  Johnson Chapter 5: Baptismal Preparation and the Origins of Lent pp 159-176 (17 pages)
7.  Johnson Chapter 6: Christian Initiation in the Middle Ages pp 177-226 (49 pages)
8.  Johnson Chapter 7: Christian Initiation in the Protestant and Catholic Reforms of the Sixteenth Century pp 227-290 (63 pages)

Write
1.  Assignment #1: Post an essay on a contemporary theological or pastoral issue which finds its origins in the history discussed in the readings.  Post by midnight on September 25  For more information on this assignment click here.
2.  Assignment #2: Post a minimum of two critical responses to the postings for Assignment 1.  Post by midnight on October 2  For more information on this assignment click here.
3.  Assignment #3: Post a second essay on a contemporary theological or pastoral issue which finds its origins in the history discussed in the readings.  Post by midnight on October 9  For more information on this assignment click here.
4.  Assignment #4: Post a minimum of two critical responses to the postings for Assignment 3.  Post by midnight on October 16  For more information on this assignment click here.

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Module 3. Today

Weeks 9-13
October 21 to November 24

Prepare
1.  Think about the difference between the Rites for Christian Initiation before and after the Second Vatican Council.
2.  Think about the elements of the history which we studied in the last section which shaped and are incorporated into the current rituals.
3.  Are there two Sacraments of Confirmation, one for adults (a rite for initiation) and a second, adolescents  rite of passage (a rite of passage)?

Read
1.  Orientation to Module 3 and the pertinent TRR website resources
2.  Pecklers Chapter 4: Worship in Transition pp 91-116 (25 pages)
3.  Johnson Chapter 8: Christian Initiation in the Churches Today pp 291-364 (73 pages)
4.  "Christian Initiation: General Introduction," in The Rites, pp 3-12.
5.  "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Introduction," in The Rites, pp 35-47.
6.  "RCIA Part I: The Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate," in The Rites, pp 48-51.
7.  "RCIA Part II: The Period of the Catechumenate," in The Rites, pp 52-93.
8.  "RCIA Part III: The Period of Purification and Enlightenment [Lent]," in The Rites, pp 94-143.
9.  "RCIA: The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation [Easter Vigil]," in The Rites, pp 144-167.
10.  "RCIA: The Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy," in The Rites, pp 168-169.
11.  "RCIA Part II: Rites for Particular Circumstances: 1) Christian Initiation of Children who Have Reached Catechetical Age; 2) Christian Initiation of Adults in Exceptional Circumstances; 3) Christian Initiation of a Person in Danger of Death; 4) Preparation of Uncatechized Adults for Confirmation and Eucharist; 5) Reception of Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church," in The Rites, pp 170-340.
12.  "National Statutes for the Catechumenate," in The Rites, pp 341-356.
13.  "Rite of Baptism for Children," in The Rites, pp 365-466.
14.  "Rite of Confirmation," in The Rites, pp 471-515.

Write
1.  Assignment #5: Post a critique of a parish RCIA  Post by midnight on October 30  For more information on this assignment click here.
2.  Assignment #6: Post a minimum of two critical responses to the postings for Assignment 5.  Post by midnight on November 6  For more information on this assignment click here.
3.  Assignment #7:  Post an essay on "Eucharist is the Culmination of Christian Initiation."  (This assignment will be accomplished in teams. The teams will be assigned.)  Post by midnight on November 13 -- NOTE:  this date has been extended until November 27 (Tuesday after Thanksgiving)   For more information on this assignment click here.
4.  Assignment #8:  Post a minimum of two critical responses to the postings for Assignment 7.  Post by midnight on November 20  NOTE:  this date has been extended until November 30.  For more information on this assignment click here.

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Module 4. Tomorrow

 Weeks 14-16
November 25 to December 11

Prepare
1.  Think about how our contemporary culture influences the effectiveness of our contemporary rites for Christian Initiation.
2.  Think about how our Rites for Christian Initiation could be better adapted to meet the needs of American culture.

Read
1.  Orientation to Module 4 and the pertinent TRR website resources
2.  Pecklers Chapter 5: Worship and Culture pp 117-138 (21 pages)
3.  Pecklers Chapter 6: Worship and Popular Religion pp 139-162 (23 pages)
4.  Pecklers Chapter 7: Worship and Society pp 163-192 (29 pages)
5.  Pecklers Chapter 8: Worship and the Future of Christianity pp 193-212 (19 pages)
6.  Pecklers Conclusion pp 213-216 (3 pages)
7.  Johnson Chapter 9: Back Home to the Font: The Place of Baptismal Spirituality and Its Implications in a Displaced World pp 365-392 (27 pages)

Write
1.  Assignment #9: Post a critique of the contemporary rituals for Hispanic baptism in the light of Pecklers.   Post by midnight on December 4  For more information on this assignment click here.
2.  Assignment #10: Concluding project. (This will be accomplished by assigned teams.)  Post by midnight on December 11  -- NOTE:  This date has been extend one week until December 18.  For more information on this assignment click here.

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Evaluation and Grading

The participants will be evaluated on the ten assignments; each of which is worth 10% of the total grade.  

All assignments must be completed by midnight of the date listed in the syllabus.  Because of the collaborative nature of this course and the importance of the group discussions, these deadlines are absolutely necessary.  No credit will be given for work posted after the due date given in this syllabus.

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Participants

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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved.  This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own.  Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it.  This site was updated on 10/07/08 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.