Mystagogy and On-going Adult Faith Formation

Morozowich, Mark M (Advisor); Ramirez, Guadalupe (Author); Kelleher, Margaret M (Other); Rossetti, Stephen J (Other); Armstrong, Regis (Other); Jones, charles B (Other)

Degree awarded: D.Min. Pastoral Studies. The Catholic University of America; Before November 24, 2013, this dissertation can be viewed by CUA users only. [6 months embargo]

228 p.

http://hdl.handle.net/1961/14897

Morozowich, Mark M

Kelleher, Margaret M; Rossetti, Stephen J; Armstrong, Regis; Jones, charles B

Theology; adults; conversion; faith; formation; lifelong; mystagogy

2013-06-25T14:59:05Z

2013-11-24T10:00:13Z

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

2013-06-25T00:00:00Z

Results of a national survey, Journey to the Fullness of Life: A Report on the Implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Aults in the United States, publishedin 2000 by the Uinited States Conference of Catholic Bishops identifies mystagogy, the final period of RCIA, as the weakest aspect of the process and recomments that it be restored "in practice and better utilized as a time of catechesis and of a deeper incorporation into the mysteries already celebrated as well as the life of the local parish." However, this writer proposes that mystagogy's four essential elements: community, catechesis, liturgy, and mission not only provide a framework for the faith formation of neophytes but also for lifelong formation of all baptized adults. Mystagogy, broadly understood, also exemplifies a catechetical method that leads adults to deeper conversion and maturity in faith. To substantiate these cliaims, the writer fist researched the historical develoopment of mystagogy, its nature, characterstics, and elements in conjunction with church documents and other reputable sources on the Church's vision of the Catholic adult, ts efforts/programs in adult faith formation, and adults faith development. Secondly, she designed and facilitated a six-hour training workshop for parish ministers in two Texas parishes enabling them to understand the process of mystagogy and to identify ways to create an intgrated process, namely mystagogy, for the continuing faith formation of adults. Participants reviewed three models of postbaptismal mystagogy and the four movements in mystagogical catechesis within the context of three significant life experiences: the sacrament of matrimony, the birth of a child, and the Sunday homily. They planned and implemented mystagogical catechesis for one significant life experience in their parish. Positive feedback from participants' workshop evalutations and their experience as facilitators of mystagogical catechesis, support the writer's belief in its viability for the on-going faith formation of Catholic adults and affirm her recommendations that parihes provide mystagogical catechesis for all the sacraments and other significant life experiences of adults to foster their conversion and maturity in faith.

Text; Dissertation

Ramirez_cua_0043A_10415

The Catholic University of America

2013-06-25