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Guiding Our Children into the Heart of the Church
Camille Withrow, program associate for the RCIA in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester
-Mark 9:36-37
This August I had the opportunity to participate in the “National Gathering on Christian Initiation” (NGCI), joining online with over 130 people from around the country for two days of virtual workshops and conversation. The focus for this year’s conference was, “Implementing the RCIA Adapted for Children.” This initiation process is not as familiar as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). But, there are children joining the Catholic Church in our diocese every year, and there are also wonderful RCIA coordinators and team members that are walking with them on this journey.
I would like to share with you some information about this process and what I learned from being part of the conference.
Rita Burns Senseman, one of the conference presenters and the author of A Child’s Journey, The Christian Initiation of Children, describes The RCIA adapted for children as, “a journey of conversion that transforms children and their families” (Senseman, 2). This rite “is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age” (“Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” (RCIA), #306).
The Church generally considers catechetical age to be the ages of 7 to 14. Children that are partaking in the RCIA adapted for children are capable of receiving and growing in their personal faith. Although parts of the RCIA adapted for children mirror the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, these children do need to be treated differently due to the stage in life that they are at. Children in the age range associated with RCIA adapted for children are still dependent on their parents/guardians and are strongly influenced by their peers and social surroundings.
When considering the process of Christian initiation for children, it is important to have a process that progresses gradually, incorporates the guidance of their parents/guardians, and includes a supportive group of companions. If possible, it would be helpful to gather a group of several children in similar situations in order to support each other as they progress through the initiation process. In addition to the support of their peers, it is hoped that children will receive help and example from their parents.
Therefore, it is beneficial for the process to provide opportunities for the child’s family to have contact with the catechists involved in their journey and with the pastor of the parish. While children may be going through this process with their peers, rather than in an intergenerational setting, permission from the parents is still required for the child to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
Any RCIA process, whether for adults or children, is a process of conversion. The RCIA ritual text explains that for children, this rite, “requires both a conversion that is personal and somewhat developed, in proportion to their age, and the assistance of the education they need” (RCIA, #307). Focus on one’s relationship with Christ, along with the change of heart this brings about, should be at the center of the RCIA process.
As a child journeys through the RCIA adapted for children, their peers and the RCIA team should be able to witness this growth in their relationship with Christ, which is reflected in a change in their actions, attitude, and life-style so that it increasingly portrays that of Jesus Christ. Just as each person is unique, the process of the RCIA for children will need to be adapted to the needs of each individual. Likewise, the conversion that is witnessed will look distinct based on the maturity and personal circumstances of each child.
As with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process for children is marked by several liturgical rites which are significant moments in the children’s formation. Rita Burns Senseman explains that “for children especially, the rituals speak at a level that verbal language cannot. The signs and symbols, the sights and sounds, the gestures, prayers, processions, music and movement engage children in a profound way” (Senseman, 7). In this way, the liturgical rites play a critical role in the child’s formation journey.
During the NGCI Conference, Rita also discussed the importance of giving children a space to share and process what each liturgical rite meant to them in a setting of their peers or family members. Although these rites may need to be done in a smaller and more “low-key” way, the major rites still play an essential role in the Christian initiation process for children.
While this is just a small share of the information that was provided during the NGCI Conference, I feel that these key points are important to better understanding what the RCIA adapted for children may look like. After having the opportunity to learn more about this important ministry, I am so grateful for the Church’s wisdom in adapting the RCIA to bring these precious children into the heart of our loving God through a process that has been carefully laid out especially for them.
-Proverbs 22:6
