How Journey Through Time Turns Deep Ideas into Cozy Conversations
Ever pick up a theology book and feel like you’ve been dropped into a maze of big words, long footnotes, and no way out? Been there. That’s why Journey Through Time: The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation by Laurence F. Aucella feels like a surprise. It’s deep, yes—but also warm, clear, and actually enjoyable to read. From the first page, it doesn’t lecture you; it invites you in. It’s like someone who knows their stuff but still talks to you like a friend, not a professor.
Aucella takes something as heavy as the Rite of Christian Initiation and makes it personal. He walks you through the early Church’s practices with clarity, never losing the soul of the story. You get context, you get structure, but more than that—you feel connected. There’s a gentle flow to how he explains rites, terms, and historical shifts, and it never feels forced or academic for the sake of being academic. You walk away with a better understanding and a stronger sense of belonging to something bigger.
Even when the book gets into data—like the RCIA survey results—he keeps it human. It’s not just about numbers. It’s about how people grow in their faith, how they’re shaped by the process, and how we can do better in supporting them. His glossary section is gold too. You can flip back to it whenever you hit a tricky word. Honestly, it’s one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you had it.
What also makes this book stand out is how adaptable it is. Whether you’re reading it over morning coffee, using it in a parish study group, or referencing it for your own research, it fits into different rhythms of life. It’s not rigid. It gives you space to engage with it however you need to. You can read one chapter a day and reflect, or dive deep in one sitting. It works either way. And it’s one of those books you can return to repeatedly—not because you didn’t get it the first time, but because it keeps offering more the longer you sit with it.
Laurence F. Aucella isn’t writing from some ivory tower. He’s lived this. A lifelong Catholic, altar server, Eucharistic minister, Sunday School teacher—you name it. He’s got degrees in education, psychology, counseling, statistics, and more, but it’s his heart for theology that drives this book. With over 40 years of counseling under his belt and decades of teaching experience, he brings wisdom and warmth in equal measure. Outside of all that, he’s a guy who loves walking, praying, reading, and playing a good game.
And here’s what you will love the most: the book never forgets that faith is personal. It’s not about proving something or sounding impressive. It’s about helping people grow, think, and believe a little deeper. Journey Through Time does that without ever making it feel like a chore. It’s for the everyday believer who’s curious, for the teacher who wants better tools, and for the seeker who just wants to understand what the Church has been doing for centuries. It’s theology, sure—but it’s friendly theology, and that’s something worth reading.
Journey Through Time:
The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation
by Laurence F. Aucella