RCIA: Mystagogical Formation

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


Your Instructor


Dr. Timothy O'Malley
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.


Watch the first five minutes of this course!

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
How do I receive a certificate of completion for this course?
If you are interested in obtaining a certificate of completion for this course, you must pass this quiz. A passing grade is 14 correct answers or higher. Once you have passed this quiz, you will receive your certificate via e-mail.
Do you offer bulk discounts if I have a large group of people that want to take the class?
Yes, we do have bulk discounts available. Please give us a call to inquire: 847-837-4542
How long is this course?
This course is comprised of 5 one-hour classes. You can pause it at any time and resume where you left off.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
Teachable Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing technical issues, please try these steps: 1) Click "Complete and continue" at the top of the lecture in order to move forward. If “Click and Complete” is not available: a) Confirm that you have watched at least 90% of the video without skipping any sections; b) Check to see if there is a browser error by opening a private browsing or Incognito window, logging into the course, and pressing play on the video again. You should see the "Complete and continue" button go live, allowing you to move to the next lecture. 2) The phone app is currently not compatible with the Course Compliance and the lectures. 3) For any other issues, please check out the Knowledge Base article that has some more tips: https://support.teachable.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000115971-Common-Technical-Issues-Troubleshooting?source=search
Viewing Completed Quizzes
Quiz questions and answers are unable to be viewed after completing the course quiz. Once you have passed the quiz, you will receive your certificate of completion via e-mail.
Do these courses count as credits towards a degree?
These courses are stand-alone resources and will not count as credit towards a degree. However, you can use these courses for Continuing Education Units. Each course will count as .5 CEUs.

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