Christian Initiation

Convener: Christina Ronzio (pro tem) is the Director of the National Liturgy Office of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Members in Attendance: Dennis Chriszt, Christina Condyles, John Hill, Jay Koyle, Paul Turner, Stephen Wilbricht

Visitors: Chris O’Brien

Description of Work: The Christian Initiation Seminar addresses questions that stand at the intersection of sacraments of initiation, the classic Ordo for Christian initiation, and ongoing discipleship in the church.

Papers and Presentations:

• John Hill, “Becoming the Story We Tell: Renewing Our Engagement with Christ Crucified and Risen” (Primate’s Task Force, Anglican Church of Canada, 2023).

• Jay Koyle, draft text Preparation of Candidates (Catechumens) and Community for the Celebration of Holy Baptism: Texts for Trial Use and Evaluation—Rites and Prayers Supplemental to The Book of Alternative Services Of The Anglican Church of Canada (2021).

• Christina Ronzio, “Draft Guidelines for Instituted Lector, Acolyte and Catechist”

• Paul Turner, “The Rites of Handing On and of Immediate Preparation: A Preview of a January 2023 FDLC Workshop.”

• Stephen Wilbricht, csc, Anointed for Mission: Exercising Your Baptismal Call (LTP, 2022).

Other Work and Plans for the Future:

• OCIA—in anticipation of the release of Order of Christian Initiation of Adults in 2024, the following seminar topics were identified for possible consideration:

 Helpful research topics for resource development by members of the seminar

 Exploration of changes in terminology

 The ecclesiology of the new ritual text

 What’s new in the new national statutes?

 Initiation of children of catechetical age, not just “catching them up with their classmates”

• Denis Chriszt, cpps, Creating an Effective Mystagogy: A Handbook for Catechumenate Leaders Second Edition (LTP, 2021).

• Consideration of the Order of Penance—what’s different, how will we implement it differently, what are the challenges it presents us at this time in history? The seminar members explored the possibility of considering one of two forthcoming books by Paul Turner on this topic.

• The members of the seminar requested an update on Preparation of Candidates (Catechumens) and Community for the Celebration of Holy Baptism and Becoming the Story We Tell.

The members discussed the Academy Committee’s Proposal for the next three years and reflected on the membership of the seminar, noting that while the members are almost exclusively Catholic there is an interest to reach out to non-Catholics. Consideration was given to which seminars it might be helpful to collaborate with for exploration of topics of mutual interest.