The National Gathering on Christian Initiation® is an annual conference for parish Christian initiation ministers and diocesan catechetical, liturgical, and evangelization leaders.
Steeped in the vision of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the National Gathering on Christian Initiation® seeks to promote the vision of the Church as constantly evangelizing, catechizing, and initiating disciples. Liturgy, evangelization, and catechesis are the foundational elements of the gathering. Throughout the conference, participants will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of initiation ministry, learn from interactive multimedia presentations, engage in prayerful reflection on the liturgies of the OCIA, and share their knowledge and experience with initiation ministers from around the country.
When the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was promulgated, it was received in this country and others with great enthusiasm as a vision for the Church as one that would constantly evangelize, catechize, initiate, and make disciples. In the years following the initial promulgation, a great deal of energy went into training people for the ministry of initiation. Universities, seminaries, and ministry formation programs educated a generation of leaders on the importance of Christian initiation. Dioceses and national organizations offered practical training, and many publishers provided printed and video materials to support those who taught and worked in initiation ministry. LTP was especially active in providing these materials.
In commemoration of our fiftieth anniversary in 2013, LTP committed to explore ways to recover our roots in training and formation. As we began to develop and implement both in-person and virtual distance learning workshops, it quickly became clear that Christian initiation would be an important area of focus. The National Gathering on Christian Initiation® was a natural outgrowth of this commitment. It is the result of two smaller gatherings over the summers of 2015 and 2016 that brought together experienced ministers of initiation, both catechetical and liturgical.
Each year, a different team of presenters will work together with an LTP representative to plan the major addresses and breakout sessions of the event. Team members have been invited, not only because of their understanding of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and the Church’s mission of evangelization, but also because of their vast parish and diocesan experience. As a true collaboration, the individual gifts and ministerial experience of each team member will shape the NGCI experience. During the planning meetings for the NGCI, the team has reflected upon the ‘principles for conducting adult faith formation’ as found in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us (81-83).
LTP is an agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Founded in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, we are devoted to the promotion of liturgical formation as outlined in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
To promote the liturgical formation "of the faithful and also their active participation in the liturgy both internally and externally, taking into account their age and condition, their way of life, and their stage of religious development" so all the faithful may "become thoroughly imbued with the spirit and power of the liturgy." —Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 19, 14
LTP is hosting the National Gathering on Christian Initiation® to promote the full implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. LTP has long been a leader in promoting the baptismal catechumenate through our publications, in line with our mission. As we expand our work to fulfill our mission through the support and training of ministers, we continue to promote the catechumenate through both virtual and in-person training sessions.