Mystagogy

Mystagogy in the Christian Tradition refers to the 50-day period of instruction given to the neophyte, from Easter to Pentecost, to deepen their appreciation of the sacred mysteries in which they would participate as new members of the Church. Without mystagogy, there is the risk that the Christian will cease to grow in faith and understanding, they may drift from the profession of faith, they may find themselves apparently marooned in a spiritual wasteland.
According to Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis:

This basic structure of the Christian experience calls for a process of mystagogy which should always respect three elements:
It interprets the rites in the light of the events of our salvation, in accordance with the Church’s living tradition.
A mystagogical catechesis must also be concerned with presenting the meaning of the signs contained in the rites.
Finally, a mystagogical catechesis must be concerned with bringing out the significance of the rites for the Christian life in all its dimensions.

The Rites of the Church, her Sacraments and Liturgies, are no mere rituals, and “The mature fruit of mystagogy is an awareness that one’s life is being progressively transformed by the holy mysteries being celebrated.”