Using Journey Through Time as Your Personal Catholic Glossary
If you’ve ever cracked open a Catholic book and instantly got lost in words like “mystagogy,” “scrutiny,” or “elect,” you’re not alone. Half the time, reading Church stuff feels like you need a translator just to keep up. But here’s where Journey Through Time comes in clutch. It’s academic, sure, but it doesn’t speak over your head. It gives you the terms you need, right where you need them—no flipping to the back or pulling out your phone mid-read.
Instead of dumping a bunch of definitions in one spot, Dr. Aucella weaves them naturally into the flow. You’re reading a paragraph, and boom—he breaks down “catechumen” like he’s just talking to you. It’s easy to follow, and by the end, you don’t just know the word—you get why it matters. It’s basically a low-key glossary you build as you go.
How the Book Teaches Without Preaching
Throughout the early chapters, especially Chapter I, Aucella walks you through the language of initiation step by step. You learn what “elect” means in the RCIA context (not a political race), how “scrutinies” are more about prayer than pressure, and why “mystagogy” is less mysterious than it sounds. He defines these terms clearly, often immediately after introducing them, which keeps the flow going without leaving the reader confused.
It’s helpful because it meets you where you are. Whether you’re new to RCIA, coming back to the Church, or just curious, you can read without feeling like you’re falling behind. The tone stays approachable, like someone walking alongside you, explaining things as they come up. You could honestly treat the book like a daily vocabulary builder—one term a day, one page at a time.
And more than just defining terms, the book shows you how they function in real life. It’s not just “this is what a rite is”—it’s why it exists and how people experience it. That context is what makes it stick. So instead of memorizing for a quiz you’ll never take, you’re absorbing language that connects directly to your faith journey. It’s theology you can actually use.
The Voice Making it All Clear
Dr. Laurence F. Aucella knows the power of plain language. He’s not just someone with degrees (though he has plenty). He’s been in the room for RCIA sessions, served at the altar, taught Sunday School, and helped people wrestle with these exact terms. His experience as a counselor and teacher comes through big time in the way he explains things—straightforward, no fluff, and always grounded in real pastoral care.
The way he defines and explains terms isn’t accidental—it’s pastoral. He knows that understanding the language of the Church helps people feel like they belong. When you understand the words, you understand the journey. That’s what makes Journey Through Time more than a book. It’s a guide written by someone who’s walked the road with others and wants to make sure no one gets left behind.
Journey Through Time:
The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation
by Laurence F. Aucella
Journey Through Time: The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation
The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation regards the process of RCIA, the process by which one becomes a convert to the Roman Catholic Faith. It also contains valuable history about Christianity and how it has evolved over the centuries that will aid in nourishing the faith and increased the knowledge of both new converts and […]