ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY OF GOD: A FRAMEWORK FOR MYSTAGOGY FROM EASTER TO PENTECOST
Patrick J Cronin CFC; Mosaic Press; $27.95
Reviewed by Br Brian Grenier CFC
THE restoration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was one of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council.
Following its proclamation on January 6, 1972, a wealth of resource material was produced to assist its implementation.
Taking account of how the RCIA has worked in practice over the past 40 years and drawing on his own experience of leading RCIA teams, Patrick Cronin has added to these resources a new book of exceptional quality.
The author begins by outlining the background of the RCIA – “the rite under which people as catechumens are initiated into the community of the faithful” – and by explaining key terms (such as neophyte, catechumen, mystagogy) which, at first glance, might appear rather very technical.
He proceeds to clarify the aim of the process, which is to assist catechumens to make the journey from initial conversion into a deeper awareness of the mystery of God in their lives.
Central to realising this goal is the facilitation of growing familiarity with the Scriptures (primarily St John’s Gospel and the assigned Sunday Mass readings) and with the structure and significance of the various elements of the Eucharistic celebration.
At the heart of this mystagogical catechesis is a series of meetings during the seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost which follow a regular pattern wherein definite roles are assigned to the pastor, the RCIA team, the neophytes themselves and the wider parish community.
The book is structured in a way that is reader friendly and is enhanced by the inclusion of a select bibliography and two informative appendices: one presenting The Historical Development of Mystagogy Post-Vatican II and another interpreting the results of a research project pertinent to the RCIA conducted in the Archdiocese of Adelaide.
Encountering the Presence of God will be welcomed by pastors, parish RCIA teams and the newly received as a very valuable resource.
In part it may also be useful to Catholics generally in their celebration of Easter because of its exegesis of pertinent scriptural texts, its exploration of the themes they unfold and its theological treatment of such topics as conversion and the role of the Holy Spirit in the journey of faith.
