Sacraments

DIOCESE RELEASES NEW SACRAMENTAL GUIDELINES:
Most Rev. John H. Ricard, SSJ, bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, has promulgated new sacramental guidelines that go into effect beginning with the Feast of Pentecost, May 11, 2008.

Sacramental Guidelines: full text

Handbook for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Pre-initiation inventory (adults)

Pre-initiation inventory (children)

Florida Bishops Statement on Sacramental Guidelines for Those Who Home School.

Sacramental Catechesis

The primary goal of sacramental catechesis is the formation and transformation of the person.

The basic principles of Sacramental Catechesis are found in paragraph 75 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:

A suitable catechesis is provided by priests or deacons, or by catechists and others of the faithful, planned to be gradual and complete in coverage, accommodated to the liturgical year, and solidly supported by celebrations of the word.  This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate.

Basic Principles of Catechetical Formation for Sacramental Catechesis

Conversion process

Liturgy as formative

The Rites as the first source for catechesis

The context of sacramental catechesis is the parish community

Sacramental catechesis includes mystagogia

The Rites as Content of Sacramental Catechesis

Our Church teaches that the meaning of the sacramental mystery is found in three major areas.  The sacramental mystery is revealed and encountered:

In the living Word of God
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1100)

In the dominant symbols and gestures of the rite
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1075)

In the words and structure of the ritual text

Therefore, included in the sacramental catechesis are the scripture, symbols, gestures, music, and ritual texts found in the rites.  The scriptural repertoire contained in each of our sacramental rites unfolds the fullness of the sacramental mystery.  Any sacramental catechesis must have as a major component the ‘breaking open of the fullness of the word’ as set forth in the rite.  The primary symbols and gestures of the rite unfold the meaning of the sacrament.

First Reconciliation Catechesis 
First Holy Communion Catechesis
Confirmation Catechesis

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