Prayers for the Initiation Process Beatitudes for the RCIA

Transcription

1 Prayers for the Initiation Process Beatitudes for the RCIA who hear the call and follow; their faith shall be rewarded. who make themselves vulnerable; for they shall know the depths of love. who assist the hungry and homeless; abundance shall be theirs. who speak the truth; their courage will inspire integrity in others. who seek justice and equality for all; their service will lead them to the Lord s table of discipleship. who create harmony and peace; the sweetness of the land shall be theirs. who purify their hearts and minds; their cleansing shall make them whole. who believe in miracles; their hearts shall be filled with gratitude. 10

2 who walk in the light; their path shall lead them to heaven. We are bonded together as a community, compelled to live these words. In the name of the One God, I pray. 11

3 Prayers for the Period of Inquiry Preparation for the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming OLord, you gather us together to prepare for the next milestone on our faith journey. We look inside our hearts and minds and contemplate the cross and the Book of the Gospels. I gaze upon the cross and my being is filled with gratitude and love. I listen to the Gospels and my ears are filled with powerful words. I gaze upon the cross and my hands are lifted in service. I listen to the Gospels and my lips seek to proclaim your wisdom. I gaze upon the cross and my heart is filled with faith. I listen to the Gospels and my being turns to you. My feet are firmly planted and ready to follow you. Today, I accept the cross and its power. I accept the cross and its blessing. I accept the cross and the tremendous hope that it offers. 16

4 Today, I accept the gospel and declare my longing to be a disciple of the true light. I accept the gospel and the transformation it creates in me. I am received into the arms of my spiritual family, who will support me in the next phase of my spiritual journey. The Church opens its doors to me and I have found a home. With gratitude in my heart, I pray. 17

5 Prayers for the Period of the Catechumenate The Call Gracious Lord, thank you for seeing the beauty of my soul and accepting me as I am. I am humbled by your faith in me and grateful for your embrace. I seek to know the truth. Fill my heart with knowledge and my mind with conviction. Show me the way to the light and open my eyes to your signs. Open my ears that I may hear your call and my hands to receive the gracious gifts you offer. Allow me to hear your call as clearly as did Samuel and follow you in faith. To our ever-faithful God, I pray. 21

6 Prayers for the Period of the Catechumenate A Meditation on Our Lady of Guadalupe On an early December morning a light-filled vision surrounds a local peasant Cuauhtlatoatzin Juan Diego. Build a church in my honor, the Vision bids. The bishop requests a sign and the Vision leads him to flowers, blooming out of season atop the hill. She fills his arms with Castilian roses, arranging them in his cloak. He returns to the bishop with the surprise from God s creation and a miraculous image of Our Lady imprinted on his cloak. 28

7 Graced with twelve stars, patroness of the Americas, here for all seasons: We kneel before you and ask for your hand. Walk with us as we seek to be the fragrant blessing of those same divine roses. Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for me on my journey of faith. 29

8 Prayers for the Period of Purification and Enlightenment Preparing for the Third Scrutiny: Unbind Me Lord of the Resurrection, I know there are no limitations to our bond. When I weep, you are there. When I reach out to you and pray, you always answer. Unbind me from all that restricts me; remove all barriers to my soul. Nurture within me the freedom to be authentic to myself. Nurture within me the freedom to explore my heart my being without doubting your handiwork and glory. Unbind the burial clothes that hide what I fear, knowing that all can be healed. Take away the stony pathway to my heart and show me the power of your mercy. Remove all judgment from my mind and replace it with compassion and faith. Untie me from the ways of life that no longer serve me, and open new doors to spiritual wonders. In the name of the One God, I pray. 56

9 Prayers for the Period of Mystagogy On Completion of the RCIA Process Today I give thanks for the ancient practice of the Church, the RCIA. From this beautiful rite of initiation comes a process for an enlightening faith journey. Four doorways, each uniquely linked to graceful milestones and mysteries: The doorway of the sun that beckons me to experience the light and its serenity; the doorway of acceptance and welcoming into discipleship for a life centered in service; the doorway of faith and continuing conversion that brings balance, discernment and healing; the doorway of Easter that embraces my divine heritage and opens the road to Emmaus for a lifelong journey. 78

10 Who do you say that I am? he asks; I know, and my heart proclaims victory. Who do you say that I am? I ask, and he replies, You are mine. In gratitude, I pray. 79