What is the Neocatechumenal Way?
The nature of the Neocatechumenal Way is defined by Saint Pope John Paul II when he writes: “I recognize the Neocatechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid for our society and for our times.”
It is a Christian Initiation that develops a pastoral work of evangelization for adults, a post-baptismal catechumenate. This evangelization brings a living faith to many of our brothers and sisters who today live a Christianity of habit and gives many people submerged in a secularized world the possibility of meeting Our Lord Jesus Christ through Christian communities which live their faith at an adult level.
The Neocatechumenal Way began in Madrid, Spain in 1962 among the slum dwellers of the shanty town “Palomeras Altas”. Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez had gone there, called by the Lord to live their Christianity among the poor, really sharing the lives of those who, in their misery, bear the consequences of the sins of our society. They were then asked, by the very people with whom they were living, to proclaim to them the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ. Through the poor of the shanty town the basis of the Neocatechumenate was born where: one discovers their baptism by walking a way based on a tripod: word, liturgy, and community.
Pope Francis (Evangeli Gaudium – “There is a need for a pastoral and missionary conversion, which cannot leave things as they presently are”. “I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the “Church’s journey in years to come. It is a heartfelt appeal to all baptized persons to bring Christ’s love to others, “permanently in a state of mission” conquering “the great danger in today’s world”. That of an individualist “desolation and anguish”.)
Mons.C asimiro Morcillo visits the Palomeras barracks in Madrid. Kiko and Carmen accompany him.
Catechesis Invitation: The Neocatechumenate starts in the parish, at the invitation of the pastor/parish priest, with kerygmatic catechesis. They are given over a period of two months, in fifteen evening meetings and they are concluded with a three-day convivence. In order to experience the Tripod – Word, Liturgy, Community – on which Christian life is based.
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