A journey into the heart of the faith
“Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”. . . Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. (Acts 8:30–31, 35)
This is about the time of year that Christian parishes might be taking a look at new programs for introducing potential converts to their life of faith. The Thomistic Institute of the Saint Joseph Province of the Dominican friars have a beautiful new video and book series from Saint Benedict Press that Catholic parishes will want to consider using for religious education. Father Raymund Snyder, O.P., looks to make the sale — or at least, in the spirit of Saint Philip, share something about the truth and beauty he’s given his life to.
Kathryn Jean Lopez: What is the Credo series meant to achieve?
Father Raymund Snyder, O.P.: Credo is a comprehensive set of resources to help pastors and catechists teach the Catholic faith to those becoming Catholic through a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program. It may also be used for adult faith formation for those who are already Catholic. It has 36 sessions, the idea being that a group could work through the whole program over the course of nine months of weekly meetings. Each session includes a ten to 20 minute teaching video from a Dominican friar and a book chapter with short readings, discussion questions, and personal-reflection questions, as well as devotional prayers and key terms. Additionally, each session has a short video with testimonies given by converts about their experience of becoming Catholic.
Lopez: Who should consider using Credo?
Father Snyder: Pastors, catechists, directors of religious education, or anyone involved with RCIA formation. Also, anyone interested in growing in their understanding of the Catholic faith. Too often we think of catechesis or intellectual formation in the faith as something that just belongs to children. However, an adult life of faith requires an adult understanding of the faith — so Catholics should be constantly learning more. This program provides a very serious, yet approachable summary of the faith.
Lopez: What’s different about Credo from other programs? Is it responding to needs that parishes have expressed?
Father Snyder: I’m told that in the first few weeks of Credo being available for preorder, someone called Saint Benedict Press and said, “This is an answer to my prayers!” I think that little story sums it up. To summarize and introduce Catholic belief and practice in one year’s time is a daunting task, and there are surprisingly few resources available, and very few resources designed specifically for RCIA. People shouldn’t have to create a completely new curriculum from scratch.
Lopez: What’s the “treasure trove” of Catholicism you’re trying to unlock for people?
Father Snyder: The “treasure trove” of Catholicism is principally a reference to the deposit of faith, which is a way of saying everything that God has revealed and entrusted to the Church through Sacred Scripture and Tradition. This includes the Bible, but also those beliefs handed down throughout the ages. It’s a treasure meant to be shared. That’s the great privilege of the Church: She is the guardian and custodian of a rich treasure, and yet it’s her very nature (through preaching and teaching) to give it away to everyone at all times in all places. Like the fire of the Easter Vigil, it’s not dimmed by being shared. In fact, it illuminates more and more.
In addition to what has been divinely revealed, the faithful also possess all of the practices and devotions that make up the daily life of faith. In Credo, we have tried to introduce people not only to the teachings of the faith, but also to traditional Catholic devotions, ways for belief to be “incarnated” into our daily practice. There are prayers in every chapter, and there will be an accompanying prayer book that people can use for their daily prayers.
Lopez: What’s the best disposition for receiving such “treasures”?
Father Snyder: An open heart. God is so good and blesses us abundantly. He has so much to give us, but we need an open heart to receive it. One of the ways I like to explain this is through the language of the prayer traditionally known as an “Act of Faith.” In it, we acknowledge that God is truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived, so we trust Him and what He has revealed.
Lopez: Why do you emphasize that you’re not “replacing” traditional catechists in RCIA programs?
Father Snyder: The job of bringing someone into the Church falls chiefly with the pastor and priests assigned to this. RCIA also requires the lay faithful sponsors and guides. Our program is a comprehensive teaching resource, but we receive the faith in a human mode, which is why role models and friends are so important for those becoming Catholic. You need someone to whom you can pose questions. You need someone who can guide you through and help you with your particular difficulties. These are invaluable and irreplaceable roles. The faith is always lived in a concrete setting and requires integration into a specific community of faith.
Lopez: What exactly is RCIA anyway?
Father Snyder: Literally, it is the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.” It’s the short title for the entire process of entering the Catholic Church. It involves not only teaching, but various liturgical rites and moments.
Lopez: Why are you so sure that God exists, as your first lesson insists?
Father Snyder: This might sound strange, but it’s actually part of Catholic belief, that you do not need faith to know that God exists. In other words, you can arrive at knowledge of God’s existence and some basic things about Him through philosophical reasoning. This was dogmatically defined at Vatican I, but we see it in the scriptures too (Wisdom 13 and Romans 1). This is actually a very important point for theology. That said, God has also revealed to us the fact that He exists.
Lopez: What does Michelangelo have to do with such lessons?
Father Snyder: The image of an artist is helpful. Artists are always more impressive than the things they make. In coming to knowledge of God’s existence, we reason from effects to causes. God has created the world, yet He is far more impressive than even the greatest and most breathtaking things of this world.
Lopez: What does God have to do with beauty?
Father Snyder: My inspiration here is Wisdom 13. God is the “author of beauty.” “From the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.”
— Kathryn Jean Lopez is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute and an editor-at-large of National Review.