Journey of Faith for Teens—Enlightenment and Mystagogy Leader Guide

The ever-popular and long-running OCIA program, Journey of Faith for Teens, has a fresh, new look and expanded leader materials. Written in the engaging, pastoral style of the Redemptorists, the content more fully addresses relevant life issues, faith topics, and questions in a catechetical approach to OCIA. Engaged teens learn better, which is why we’ve combined collaborative activities with group discussions and private journaling to appeal to a variety of learners in a way that’s flexible enough for you to modify to your unique needs.

Enlightenment covers God’s mercy and forgiveness, an introduction to the scrutinies, and the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Teens also participate in a group Lenten retreat. Mystagogy leads teens, now members of the Church, into full participation with their Church and parish communities and continues their faith formation as they share the joy and enthusiasm they have for the faith with others.

This comprehensive Leader Guide gives you everything you need to walk into your OCIA class and start leading—whether you’re a veteran OCIA instructor or a first-time volunteer. The expanded materials include:

• New, wraparound design that enables you to see what your participants see so you can spend more time teaching and growing in faith alongside your group
• Complete instructions for how to use Journey of Faith with an explanation of the lesson plan components including schedule options
• Tips on how to be an effective catechist
• Practical suggestions for teaching in a group setting
• Additional discussion points prepare you for their responses and keep the conversation going
• A complete glossary of all new concepts and terms taught in the lessons

The process by which adults are initiated into the Catholic faith throughout the United States is now called the OCIA—the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. “Order” is a clearer translation of the Latin term for the process formerly known as the RCIA—the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. People preparing for baptism and reception into the Church celebrate several rites as part of the order to which those rites belong—an order whose mission is to journey in the faith. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted the name change in 2021, with American dioceses introducing the name thereafter. For more information, please contact your local diocese.