RCIA: Mystagogical Formation

Dr. Timothy O'Malley

Timothy P. O'Malley, Ph.D. is the Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy in the McGrath Institute for Church Life. He also directs digital educational outreach for the McGrath Institute. He holds a doctorate from Boston College in theology and education, focusing on an Augustinian approach to liturgical formation. 

A concurrent member of Notre Dame's Department of Theology, Dr. O'Malley teaches and researches in the areas of liturgical-sacramental theology, catechesis, Catholic education, and marriage/family. He is the author of seven books with Ave Maria Press, Our Sunday Visitor, and Liturgical Press. He is currently completing a research study on why young adult Catholics affiliate with the Church with a particular focus on the Eucharist.

Course Description

Dissatisfaction with the period of mystagogy in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is nearly universal. In this course, we will explore an approach to mystagogy that seeks to rectify the near absence of post-baptismal formation in the parish. In five classes, participants will learn about the history of mystagogy, the nature of mystagogy in post-baptismal catechesis today, and discern a way forward for renewing mystagogical formation in the parish not only during the Easter season but throughout the year. 

Class 1: The History of Mystagogy: Patristic and Medieval

Class 2: The History of Mystagogy: Post-Tridentine and the Liturgical Movement

Class 3: Mystagogy in the OCIA: The Easter Lectionary

Class 4: Mystagogy throughout the Year: The Liturgical Year

Class 5: Mystagogy in the Home: The Domestic Church