Neo-Catechumenal Way

[David_B]

I was just curious what kind of interactions people have had with “the Way”. Talking to some seminarians in my locale it sounds like there’s been a real lack of integration between Neo-Cat seminarians and regular diocesan seminarians…the Neo-Cats live in their own formation house (in very tight quarters apparently) and come to classes at the regular diocesan seminary, but have almost no interactions with their brother seminarians outside of the classroom. They also seem to have the ability to be put on a fast-track to the priesthood, being allowed to skip philosophy and some theology courses, and many do not possess prior undergraduate degrees.

Has this been witnessed by others?

 

[Joannm]

How do they get their degree without having an undergrad degree. Our seminary is accredited and there are standards for acceptance and awarding degrees that must be followed to keep accrediation. The only people I know who were fast tracked were men who already earned a degree in Theology before entering. Then again, we don’t have an Neo-cats in our seminary, only diocesan and Vincentians.

 

[mahalia]

Please don’t call it “the Way”.
Jesus Christ is “the Way”.

The Neocathecumenal way is a way.
I know that they call it the Way, but that doesn’t mean they’re right.

 

[Pious_Mat]

Skipping classes, on the fast track? Sounds like the perfect recipe to produce rotten priests. Good priests are well-formed, and have healthy relationships with others, especially other priests. Some of the best priests out there go through long formation periods. Legionaries of Christ, for example, can go through up to 14 years of study and practicum, some of which is required to be done in Rome, before being ordained. Most only do 9-10 years, but that’s still a long time, especially for the boys who went through Minor seminary. A good foundation in philosophy and theology is the key to being able to use reason to shed light on God’s design for mankind.

The more I read about the Neo-Cat way, the more reservations I develop about it.

 

[Formosus]

I agree Mat, the more I hear about it the more it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Pious_Mat]

I agree Mat, the more I hear about it the more it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Speaking of bad taste, I googled the Neo-Cat way last night to find that it is quite common for its members to recieve communion sitting down and drink the Precious Blood through a straw. And to think that we have debates here at CAF over whether receiving in the hand is a good idea, never mind what these people do!

No wonder their constitutions are in Limbo at the Vatican…

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Speaking of bad taste, I googled the Neo-Cat way last night to find that it is quite common for its members to recieve communion sitting down and drink the Precious Blood through a straw. And to think that we have debates here at CAF over whether receiving in the hand is a good idea, never mind what these people do!

No wonder their constitutions are in Limbo at the Vatican…

I think there is, or was, an approved method of providing the Precious Blood through a gold straw. I don’t know if it is currently authorized in the U.S.

 

[kxaddiso]

Well I can only speak of my experience of the Seminary that I am in. I am a student for the diocesan priesthood and we too have Neo-Cat Students that study with us.

They do not fast track to priesthood here, in fact they do three years more formation than the students studying for the Diocese, they go on itinerancy for three years. They do have a seperate House of Formation, but they attend lectures and integrate well with our Seminary Community They do all of the Formation and Intellectual studies that we do, including the Philosophy and Theology program.

As I say I can only speak of the ones that I have met and they seem a great bunch of guys…even if we cannot always agree on liturgical matters, their heart is definitely in the right place.

Towards the end of their training, they apply to the diocese and they work as a diocesan priest in the diocese.

Hope this helps…

 

[Juan_S_Bautista]

Please don’t call it “the Way”.
Jesus Christ is “the Way”.

The Neocathecumenal way is a way.
I know that they call it the Way, but that doesn’t mean they’re right.

It is only through the grace of GOD that he allows us to understand why we must not judge something we do not know. You are blessed by saying Jesus Christ is the way, but he also want you to be the way.

 

[mahalia]

Allow me to have an opinion. If the name is “the Neocathecumenal Way”, why would someone want to insist on calling it “the Way”?
To make it shorter and sweeter?

 

[Formosus]

It is only through the grace of GOD that he allows us to understand why we must not judge something we do not know. You are blessed by saying Jesus Christ is the way, but he also want you to be the way.

Could you please clarify that statement ?

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

As I say I can only speak of the ones that I have met and they seem a great bunch of guys…even if we cannot always agree on liturgical matters, their heart is definitely in the right place.

this is my experience as well. i was in the way in new orleans but moved away. i thought by in large the priests and seminarians were orthodox and good guys. my only problem with the way is thier goofy liturgy which should be disbanded immediately.

 

[Tybourne]

I have never been a member of the Neo-Cat way, but attended a parish in London, England where it was widespread for some time.

I have some reservations about it too and did not feel that God was calling me to it. However, the sense of lived participation in the liturgy as called for by Vatican II is palpable in these celebrations.

The Holy Spirit calls the Church forward. It is possible that the Neo-Cat way is introducing changes into the liturgy which are inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is possible that Neo-Cat liturgy will eventually become its own rite.

We need a variety of rites, but all conducted with dignity. I have seen the Host passed between people sitting, Last Supper style, with utmost reverence. I have never seen a straw used to consume the Precious Blood. Could this practice be imported from Eastern christianity?

Their music is not of my culture, but is powerful nonetheless. Check out YouTube to hear some if you haven’t already.

 

[jgcase]

Skipping classes, on the fast track? Sounds like the perfect recipe to produce rotten priests. Good priests are well-formed, and have healthy relationships with others, especially other priests. Some of the best priests out there go through long formation periods. Legionaries of Christ, for example, can go through up to 14 years of study and practicum, some of which is required to be done in Rome, before being ordained. Most only do 9-10 years, but that’s still a long time, especially for the boys who went through Minor seminary. A good foundation in philosophy and theology is the key to being able to use reason to shed light on God’s design for mankind.

The more I read about the Neo-Cat way, the more reservations I develop about it.

Unfortunately, there are apparently also some formational “issues” reported with the Legionaries of Christ…which is a real shame, given their almost legendary doctrinal orthodoxy.

 

[Dauphin]

The fact that such a movement is even being tolerated demonstrates the insanity in the Church. It should be crushed by the Vicar of Christ with all the force he can muster. At the very least, its liturgy should be suppressed and relegated to the schismatic churches where it belongs.

The liturgy isn’t just kind-hearted goofiness; it’s a mockery of the Holy Sacrifice straight from the designs of Satan.

 

[HOLYHEARTS]

Since Vatican II, alot of abuses have crept into the Liturgy here
& there. The Rubrics (NORMS) for both the Novus Ordo Mass
and the Traditional Latin Rite Mass can be found in both of
the Roman Missals (Altar Editions) approved by the Holy See.
Anything done by anybody that is NOT found in either of those
two approved Missals does NOT have the approval of Rome.
Hence, the thermometer -so to speak- of any Movement,
Institute, Religious Congregation, whatever, is whether or not
they are following Liturgical Norms approved by Rome. If their
Liturgy is goofy, messed-up, weirdo, strange, etc, you can
pretty much bet that they are too.

 

[zue]

I for a time was a member of the above said,“Way”. I found many beneficial things about this movement. The community is very welcoming and friendly. They are truly annointed by the spirit.The music was also excellent. The liturgy was a bit too liberal for my taste, but i dare not say invalid or disrespectful. Although no longer a member for time constraints these people still keep in touch and offer support. “the Way”, gave me a great love of God in his word and also an ongoing spirit of mystygogia, although a life-long catholic.So, I’m all for it!!

 

[HeSavedEvenMe]

This is going on right now (the 8 weeks of classes) at the Parish I will be joining.

The Priest I’ve been meeting with (in preparation of my coming into the church) suggested I try to attend these meetings as part of my preparation.

I come to the Chuch with extensive Biblical study from a few prodestant denominations. (I studied a few in my search for what I saw as truth in Christianity…but found that truth in the Catholic church)

Anyway, after our meeting last night, something did not seem quite right to me. I’ve been praying about this group and seeking to know if God desires me to affiliate with them after my confirmation. Anyway, after I had a disturbing dream last night I decided to start to research all I can about this group online. I’ve been doing that for a few hours now.

What has drawn me greatly into the Church (beyond what I"ve learned from the Catechism and other studies I"ve done on my own), was the beauty of the Mass. From what I have read online (both pro and anti towards this group), this group seems to celebrate something that appears to be different enough from the Mass that I have already been so blessed by that this fact alone is enough for me to have decided that I will not be joining them. (but will finish out the 8 weeks of attending the meetings since this is part of my preparation for joining the Church)

I have also read that the addition of “The Way” (yes that name bothered me due to Jesus being the Way the Truth and the Light…use of that names implies too much in my opinion) also has caused great splits within Parishes where it (this group) is active.

Some of the things they have said in the meetings at the Parish I am joining resonate with the limited education I have in Buddhism. Then at times, they sound very Full Gospel (Pentecost Prodestant) or very liberal evangelical in nature.

I don’t completly understand but from what I read, the late Pope John Paul II gave this group something like 2 or 5 years to operate in the Church and then the current Pope (Benedict) recently appeared to give a soft endorsement to this group but with warnings regarding their treatment of the liturgy. Forgive me for this being sketchy but I just skimmed articles on this early this morning and remember I am not a member yet. (Of the Catholic Church…but will be soon)

Anyway, just my thoughts and what is happening right now regarding this group.

 

[Tybourne]

this group seems to celebrate something that appears to be different enough from the Mass that I have already been so blessed by

…I have also read that the addition of “The Way” (yes that name bothered me due to Jesus being the Way the Truth and the Light…use of that names implies too much in my opinion) also has caused great splits within Parishes where it (this group) is active.

Some of the things they have said in the meetings at the Parish I am joining resonate with the limited education I have in Buddhism. Then at times, they sound very Full Gospel (Pentecost Prodestant) or very liberal evangelical in nature.

…the current Pope (Benedict) recently appeared to give a soft endorsement to this group but with warnings regarding their treatment of the liturgy. Forgive me for this being sketchy but I just skimmed articles on this early this morning and remember I am not a member yet. (Of the Catholic Church…but will be soon)

Hi HeSavedEvenMe,

I’m not a member of the Neocatechemenal Movement nor ever have been, though I attended a parish where the Neocats were very active for a long time.

I understand that Pope Benedict has now given canonical approval to the statutes of this movement: cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58611
This seems like good news to me. The movement is certainly a mixture of wheat and tares right now, but I do believe that the Holy Spirit is moving powerfully through it.

As a convert myself, I felt drawn to return to a more classical and traditional expression of the Mass after a few years. However, my experience in the Neocat parish really helped me to hang on to my faith and then to deepen it at a difficult time in my life.

The reason why the Neocat movement may sound Buddhist at times is that one of the founders, Kiko Arguello, was influenced by existentialism. Coming from an evangelical protestant background, this may seem somewhat shocking, but there is a strongly existential aspect to the Gospel which is missed by many protestants. (The *main *problem is not that I am accounted a sinner, under the wrath of God, but that I am going to *die *one day!).

HeSavedEvenMe, I pray that God may continue to deepen your appreciation of the Mass, home of the Scriptures and our foretaste of Heaven. Many of my protestant relatives tried to share the Lord with me, but it was only when I met Him in the flesh in the Sacred Mysteries that I could declare with St Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” Bring your protestantism with you into the Church, it is a gift to the Church and is of God. Read plenty of Newman to see how you can reconcile your Evangelical roots with your new recognition of the “one true fold of the Redeemer”. You may also find Scott Hahn’s book on the Mass helpful.

Our Lord Bless You, Our Blessed Mother Mary and Venerable John Henry Newman pray for you,

Tybourne

 

[Pious_Mat]

Unfortunately, there are apparently also some formational “issues” reported with the Legionaries of Christ…which is a real shame, given their almost legendary doctrinal orthodoxy.

I’m a Regnum Christi member with dozens of friends in Legion Formation houses, and have visited all their North American novitiates. Their formation is the best in the Church. The first two years are novititate, in which they study Catholic spirituality, and pray like monastics. This is followed by two years of humanities, in which they study everything from Latin and Greek (in which they become quite proficient) to music, art, and physics. They then take a Bachelor’s in philosophy, and afterwards interrupt their studies to do fieldwork with a priest for a couple of years. They then complete a Master’s in philosophy, and go to Rome to study theology before being ordained. This formation process can be highly individualized, can take anywhere from 10-16 years. Legionaries are also encouraged to study for their Licentiate after ordination. Many legionaries also leave the field to do full-time doctoral work, a privilege that few orders or Dioceses grant these days. I don’t see how anything could be wrong with all that!

One thing are taught from day one that ought to be taught in Neocatechumenal way formation centres is that the Mass is not “our” liturgy, but the Church’s liturgy, and we have no right to deviate from the prescribed books. If you’ve never been to Mass with them, it’s a great experience. Mass on Wednesday is the Novus Ordo in Latin, and Feast Days are sung Mass in latin (again NO), complete with Greogorian Kyriale. I wish all priests celebrated mass as reverently as the Legionaries.

Just thought I’d share my experience for what it’s worth,

Mat.