THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

438 Pages·2014·9.64 MB·English

FORMATION FOR MISSION:
CATECHESIS IN "THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS"
by
MAGDALENE KARECKI
submitted in accordance with the requirements
for the degree of
DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY
in the subject
MISSIOLOGY
at the
sourn
UNIVERSITY OF AFRICA
PROMOTER: PROF JN J KRITZINGER
JOINT PROMOTER: DRS RAKOCZV
NOVEMBER 1995
Summary
The central concern of this study is the relationship between liturgy and
missiology. It argues that liturgy has been neglected by missiology and establishes
this through a review of missiological as well as liturgical literature. A proposal is
then made for the development of a liturgical missiology. The central thesis of
this study is that since liturgy and mission both belong to the very nature of the
church missiology must take liturgy seriously as a source for doing missiology.
The Rite of Christian Initiation ofA dults (=RCIA) is used to demonstrate
that formation for mission can and indeed does take place through the celebration
of liturgy. The four stages and three liturgical thresholds of the RCIA are analysed
with the help of the anthropological theories of Victor Turner and other ritual
theorists. In the description and analysis of RCIA's stages and thresholds it is
shown that in this rite of the Roman Catholic Church catechesis for mission takes
place not only through catechetical sessions, but most significantly through
liturgical rituals.
This study shows how the RCIA might contribute to the building up of
South Africa by challenging the church to be an ahernative comnnmity in the midst
of society. Such a community would be motivated by the Christian myth, sustained
by the church's ritual and be confident in its identity as the people of God. In light
of this, the RCIA has the power to facilitate the formation of Christians to take
seriously their responsibility of carrying on the mission of Christ in the world and
for the world.
The study concludes with an evaluation of the theoretical framework which
was used in the study and some suggestions for further missiological research that
would take seriously the place of ritual and its importance in the formation of a
sense of mission in Christians. Three areas of concern are important for liturgical
missiology: inculturation, ecclesiology, and ecumenism.
Table ofC ontents
Dedication ix
Acknowledgements x
Abbreviations xi
Figures XU
Chapter One Introduction
J. 0 The Research Problem: The Neglect o(Liturgv in Missiologv
1.1 Central Thesis: The Integral Link between Liturgv and Mission 5
1.2 A Review of Related Literature: Missiological and Liturgical 11
1.2.1 Some Missiological Sources 11
1.2.1.l Missiological Literature: Some Catholic Works 11
1.2.1.2 Misssiological Literature: Some Protestant Works 15
1.2.1.3 Missiological Literature: Some Orthodox Works 17
1.2.1.4 Conclusion 19
1.2.2 Some Liturgical Sources 20
1.2.2.1 Liturgical Literature: The Orthodox Perspective 20
1.2.2.2 Liturgical Literature: The Protestant Perspective 21
1.2.2.3 Liturgical Literature: The Catholic Perspective 23
1.2.2.4 Conclusion 27
1.3 A Theoretical Framework 27
1.3.1 .The Franciscan Approach to Mission 30
1.3.2 A Perspective from the Social Sciences 35
1.4 Defining Terminology 41
1.4.1 Theological Terms 42
1.4.1.1. Mission 42
1.4.1.2 Evangelisation 42
1.4.1.3 Conversion 44
1.4.2 Anthropological Terms 45
1.4.2.1 Culture 45
1.4.2.2 Ritual 46
1.4.2.3 Symbol 47
1.4.2.4. Myth 47
1.4.2.5 Identity 48
1.4.2.6 Boundaries 49
1.4.2.7 Worldview 49
1.4.2.8 Ethos 50
1.4.2.9 Root Metaphor 51
1.5 The Parameters of this Study 52
1.6 Motivation for this Study 54
1. 7 Summary 56
Chapter Two The Adult Catechumenate:
An Historical Perspective 58
2.0 The Purpose o(the Chapter 58
2.1 The Origins ofthe Church's Praxis oflnitiation 58
2.1.1 Jewish Proselyte Baptism 59
2.1.2 John's Baptism 60
2.1.3 Baptism in the Acts of the Apostles and Paul:
An Overview 63
2.1.3.1 Romans 6 64
2.1.3.2 Colossians 2:11-12 66
2.1.3.3 1Corinthians 12:13 67
2.2 Post-Apostolic Times until the Fiflh Century 69
2.2.1 The Didache 70
2.2.2 The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus 75
2.2.3 The Witness of Egeria and Cyril: The Jerusalem Experience 79
2.3 The Decline oft he Catechumenate 83
2.3.1 The Factors for the Disintegration of the Catechumenate 84
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2.4 The Restoration oft he Catechumenate 86
2.4.1 Nineteenth Century Catholic Missionary Practice and the
Catechumenate 88
2.4.2 Vatican II and the Restoration of the Catechumenate 90
2.5 Summary 94
Chapter Three The Precatechumenate 96
3.0 The Purpose oft he Chapter 96
3.1 Some Basic Understandings 97
3.2 Establishing Relationships 102
3.2.1 The Assembly 102
3.2.2 The Inquirer 105
3.2.3 The Sponsor 108
3.2.4 The Catechist 112
3.3 A Time ofEvangelisation 115
3.3.1 The Story Method 116
3.3.2 The Context for Evangelisation 118
3.4 The Call to Conversion 121
3.4.1 Conversion in the RCIA 122
3. 4.1.1 Conversion to Life with and in the Risen Christ 123
3.4.1.2 The Christocentric Focus ofC onversion 123
3.4.1.3 Conversion as a Sacramental Experience 124
3.4.1.4 Conversion in the RC/A as a Communal Process 124
3. 4.1. 5 Conversion as a Spiritual Journey 125
3. 4.1. 6 Converison implies the Transformation oft he Whole Person 126
3.4.2 The Dimensions of Conversion 126
3.4.2.1 Four Aspects ofC onversion 127
3.4.2.1.1 Change 127
3.4.2.1.2 Response to Change 127
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3.4.2.1.3 Surrender and Encounter 128
3.4.2.1.4 Ascent 128
3.4.2.2 Five Types of Conversion 129
3.4.2.2.1 Affective Conversion 129
3.4.2.2.2 Religious Conversion 130
3.4.2.2.3 Intellectual Conversion 131
3.4.2.2.4 Moral Conversion 132
3.4.2.2.5 Sociopolitical Conversion 134
3.4.3 Conversion and Culture 136
3.5 Summary 142
Chapter Four The Catechumenate 144
4.0 The Purpose of the Chapter 144
4.1 A Description oft he Rite o(Acceptance 148
4.1.1 Reception of the Candidates 151
4.1.1.1 Opening Dialogue 152
4.1.1.2 The Act ofS igning 154
4.1.1.3 Entrance into the Church 157
4.1.2 The Liturgy of the Word 160
4.1.3 The Intercessions 162
4.1.4 The Dismissal 162
4.1.4.1 Objections 163
4.1.4.2 Baptised Children 167
4.2 Catechesis during the Catechumenate 169
4.2.1 The Four Ways of Catechesis during the Catechumenate 170
4.2.1.1 The First Way: Liturgical Catechesis 171
4.2.1.2 The Second Way: Catechesis through the Witness ofO thers 175
4.2.1.3 The Third Way: Catechesis through Participation 179
4.2.1.4 The Fourth Way: Catechesis through Sharing in Mission 182
4.3 Optional Rites 184
4.3.1 Celebrations of the Word of God 184
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4.3.2 Minor Exorcisms 187
4.3.3 Blessings and Anointings 191
4.4 Summary 193
Chapter Five The Period ofE nlighte1'ment 199
5.0 The Purpose oft he Chapter 199
5.1 A Description oft he Rite o(Election 201
5.1.1 Discernment before J;lection 202
5.1.2 The Rite of Election 206
5.1.2.J The Liturgy of the Word 206
5.1.2.2 Election as Affirmation 209
5.1.2.3 ElectionandMission 211
5.1.2.4 Implementation oft he RCIA 212
5.2 The Theology o(Election 215
5.3 The Rituals ofthe Period o(Enlightenment 218
5.3.1 The Scrutinies 221
5.3.1.1 The Structure of the Scrutinies 225
5.3.1.2 The Gospel Texts for the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays ofL ent
and the Scrutinies: A Questio'! ofi nterpretation 228
5. 3.1.3 The Gospel Texts for the Scrutinies: Their Liturgical Use 230
5.3.1.3.l TheGospelReadingfortheFirstScrutiny: John4:5-42 231
5.3.1.3.2 The Gospel Reading for the Second Scrutiny: John 9:1-41 233
5.3.1.3.3 The Gospel Reading for the Third Scrutiny: John 11:1-45 237
5.4 The Relationship between Mvth and Ritual 239
5.5 The Preparation Rites o(Holv Saturdav 240
5.5.1 The Work oflnculturation 244
5.6 Summary 244
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Chapter Six The Sacraments ofI nitiation 249
6.0 The Purpose oft he Chapter 249
6.1 The Easter Vigil 250
6.1.1 The Service of Light 251
6.1.1.l The Blessing oft he Fire 251
6.1.1.2 The Exsultet 253
6.1.2 The Liturgy of the Word 256
6.1.2.1 The Readings from the Books ofG enesis and Exodus 257
6.1.2.2 The Readings from the Prophets 259
6.1.2.3 Singing oft he Gloria and the New Testament Readings 260
6.1.3 The Liturgy of Baptism 264
6.1.3.l The Litany of the Saints 265
6.1.3.2 The Blessing of the Water 266
6.1. 3. 3 The Renunciation ofE vil, the Profession ofF aith and Baptism 267
6.1.4 The Sacrament of Coni1rmation 271
6.1.4.1 The Laying on ofH ands 271
6.1.4.2 Anointing with Chrism 272
6.1.4.3 A Problem ofP raxis 273
6.1.4.4 Reception of the White Garment 274
6.1.4.5 Reception oft he Lighted Candle 275
6.1.5 The Liturgy of the Eucharist 276
6. J. 5.1 The Communion Rite 277
6.1.5.2 The Eucharist and Mission 278
6.1.5.3 Learningfrom Ritual 280
6.2 The Relationship between Liturgy and Life 283
6.3 Principles ofR itual 287
6.4 Mvstagogia 292
6.5 Summary 295
vi
Chapter Seven The RCIA in the Church in South Africa 299
7.0 The Purpose oft he Chapter 299
7.1 Being Church (or the World: Mission and Memory 299
7.1.1 Can the Church Contribute to Nation-building? 302
7.1.2 The Alternative Community 306
7.1.3 An Objection to the Alternative Community 310
7.2 Meeting the Challenge o(Being an Alternative Communitv 314
7.2.1 The RCIA and the Formation of the Alternative Community 316
7.2.2 Inculturating the RCIA 326
7.3 The Church and the Kingdom 329
7.4 The School oft he Liturgv 331
7.5 The Challenge Be(ore Us: Reconciliation 333
7.5.1 What Does Reconcilation Mean? 335
7.5.2 Resources for a Mission of Reconciliation 339
7.6 The Issue o(Land 343
7. 7 Summary 345
Chapter Eight Conclusion 348
8.0 The Purpose ofthe Chapter 348
8.1 Evaluating the Theoretical Framework 348
8.1.1 Victor Turner's Contribution 349
8.1.2 Geertz, Bell, Driver, and Grimes 350
8.2 Research Priorities (or Liturgical Missiologv 354
8.2.1 Inculturation 354
8.2.2 Ecclesiology 357
vii
8.2.3 Ecumenism 360
8.3 Towards a Missiologv Rooted in the Liturgv 362
Appendix One 364
Appendix Two 365
Bibliography 366
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