Letter to the RCIA Participant about the Breaking Open the Word

Dear RCIA Participant,

From now on, you and those RCIA participants, who have gone through the Rite of Acceptance at our parish, are being offered a special means to deepen your understanding and love of the sacred Word of God. This will take place during the second part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and is Mother Church's way of feeding you more richly with the Word of God since you cannot yet be fed by partaking of the Holy Eucharist.

At each Mass, after you and all of the community present have listened to God's Word in the readings from Scripture, and to the homily that completes the Liturgy of the Word, the priest celebrating the Mass will invite you and the other catechumens present to come forward for a blessing. After this blessing, you and the other participants will be dismissed and, accompanied by one or more RCIA team members, you will go out from the Mass to a separate room.

There, you will engage in Reflection on the Word for about 15 to 30 minutes. A team member will act as group leader by suggesting starting points for discussion, but this is specifically an opportunity for you and your fellow participants to share your reflections on the Scripture readings and the homily with each other.

As you listen to each other, whether the sharing is joyful or painful, listen on a deeper level to how God is working in each situation and each person. Do not merely hear, but also be open to the challenge of God's holy Word. Allow the power of God to effect changes within you, bringing about your closeness to God and to one another.

Listening is a beautiful gift to give one another. We want this to be a very grace-filled time for you, and a wonderful opportunity to bond with your fellow participants and your godparent.

"Reflection on the Word" is a relatively brief time, you may feel that you need more time to discuss a reading. If so, a listening ear is always available to you. I or any team member is always happy to discuss anything further with you. Please keep in mind that personal sharing within the group is confidential.

This is a very blessed period for all of us as we continue to be formed in the Catholic faith and formed into a more loving community focused on the Word of God. We give thanks for you and the gift you are to the RCIA and to our whole community here at this parish.

Sincerely in Christ,

RCIA team