Mystagogy - Living the Mysteries

Most Catholics are not familiar with the term "mystagogy."  The term is most closely associated with the RCIA process and the period of time following the Easter Vigil leading up to Pentacost Sunday.  It is a period of finishing, of filling in the gaps for "unfinished" Christians.  Truth is, we are all unfinished Christians and we could all do with some finishing, some additional catechesis.  This is precisely the role ministries like Joe Catholic and Why Catholic? serve.   

The catechesis is aimed at helping us grow in our faith.  More specifically to arm us with the knowledge to better utilize the sacraments - the real mysteries.  Mystagogy is really all about living the sacraments.  It's about walking the walk, in our every day ordinary lives.  It's answering the universal call to holiness.  

Blessed Mother Theresa said we are "called to blossom exactly where we are planted."  St. Josemaria asserts God is calling "ordinary Christians immersed in the bloodstream of society...to be saints and apostles, in the very midst of our professional work." 

As Catholics, we have the fullness of the Christian faith; we have the seven sacraments and apostolic succession.  We have a responsibility to act on this, for as scripture says, to those who much is given, much is required.  We have a duty to our family, friends and co-workers to know our faith, so we can share, and more importantly, live our faith.

We can remember the acronym CARE.  Continuous Adult Religious Education.  Use this website as a launching point to your continued development beyond what you learn at the sessions.  Start by reading any of the books on the recommended reading list.  Visit some of the links.  The Catholic Information Services has a wealth of online training.

Finally, I recommend one additional book - Living the Mysteries: A Guide for Unfinished Christians, Scott Hahn