Since the days of the early Church, Christians have realized that the spiritual journey is not meant to be walked alone. We find our way by walking with others who are guided by the same vision. A person who has a sense of direction and who can assist others in learning how to incorporate spiritual practices into daily life is called a mentor. Spiritual mentors can walk with others on the journey, whether informally or as a sponsor in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) or for someone preparing for Confirmation. Just as a carpenter or a chef guides an apprentice into the craft, a spiritual mentor can guide others into the way of life known as Catholicism.
Now, you have access to free online resources that provide everything you need to implement a spiritual mentoring program using my new book Practice Makes Catholic: Moving from a Learned Faith to a Lived Faith. You can use these resources to empower sponsors (for Confirmation or for RCIA) to work with their candidates/catechumens or for catechists to work with one another in spiritual mentoring relationships that focus on Catholic practices. Take a look at the Leader’s Guide and Mentoring Workbook.
Thank you for making these wonderful resources available…for free! They will be very helpful to our RCIA team and Confirmation mentors. Bless you!
You’re quite welcome, Phyllis!
Joe, how I wish I can read online your book about mentoring adults in R.C I.A. and in catechism. Thanks be to God, I have been a sponsor of two adults last year. One guy was married to my contemporary, he was in his 50″s, and the other guy was single in his 60″s, an orphan, and never know anything about God. They received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation last Easter Vigil of 2010. This year I have another candidate, husband of my Co-catechist friend, in his 40″s. He will be received the sacraments soon after all the initiation classes, which will be done this coming Easter Vigil. Thanks be to God for this special favor of being made an instrument to bring more souls to God in our Catholic faith.
Can’t get the files open… I tried on two different computers. Anybody else having problems?
I checked and they seem to be working fine. Are you using a Mac or a PC?
I am the Director of the Religious Education at St. Rocco Parish. I am also responsible for the RCIA Program. Would it be possible to have a sample of Practice Makes Catholic? Thank you.
Sr. Mary Antoinette, FMH
HI Sr. Mary, I will arrange to have a sample copy sent to you. Please email me your address (Paprocki@loyolapress.com)