“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

I want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth …. 

You owe it to yourself to learn all about Christ’s life and teaching and what the Church believes. The goal is exposure to the entire content of the faith—not just a few things sprinkled willy-nilly. It ultimately boils down to truth, and truth matters!

The Catholic Online School RCIA program is carefully designed to provide you with a systematic, comprehensive education in the divine faith of the Church. The goal is to make you “of the truth” by exposing you to the voice of Christ.

In this second section of the program, we explore “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery.”

In this section, we learn about the second pillar of the faith as it’s presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here are some of the topics you’ll learn about:

  •  The liturgy of the Church and the holy sacrifice of the Mass
  • The sacraments of initiation and the sacraments at service to communion
  • Christian funerals
  • Sacramentals, blessings, and popular devotions
  • Major and minor exorcisms
  • The Holy Rosary


From all of us at Catholic Online School: May Christ bless you on your journey of faith.

“The Celebration of the Christian Mystery" is broken up into 5 different chapters. 

In this course, students will work through Chapter 1.

Students will cover - 

  •  Course 1 - The Liturgy of the Church


Earning a certificate of completion in this online course is not a substitute for completing a parish-based RCIA program. The Sacraments of Initiation can only be conferred by a bishop or priest. This certificate means you have successfully completed a course of study that is intended to supplement your parish RCIA program.


For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction - RCIA - For Adults - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Chapter 1 with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'

  • 02

    The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 1 - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • INTRODUCTION - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • VIDEO - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • QUIZ - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 1 - The Liturgy as Source of Life

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

  • 03

    The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 1 - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • INTRODUCTION - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • VIDEO - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • QUIZ - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 2 - A Journey Through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

  • 04

    The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 1 - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • INTRODUCTION - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • VIDEO - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • QUIZ - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Liturgy of the Church - Lesson 3 - Why are Catholics Obligated to Attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Adrian Wells

5 star rating

“Great reading of Scripture in this course. Structure, the layout and the Video overlap helps with understanding core principles of the Holy Mass. Structured in an easy format to complete.”

“Great reading of Scripture in this course. Structure, the layout and the Video overlap helps with understanding core principles of the Holy Mass. Structured in an easy format to complete.”

Read Less

Ikechukwu Ukeachu

5 star rating

“This is the best RCIA course. This is so amazing beyond description...God bless the Holy Catholic Church and Catholic online school who has made this so simple to learn.”

“This is the best RCIA course. This is so amazing beyond description...God bless the Holy Catholic Church and Catholic online school who has made this so simple to learn.”

Read Less

Jeannette Ruiz

5 star rating

“The text that comprised a majority of the “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” online coursework was relevant and engaging. My interest level increased with each lesson I completed and indeed I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit the Script...”

Read More

“The text that comprised a majority of the “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” online coursework was relevant and engaging. My interest level increased with each lesson I completed and indeed I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit the Scripture passages provided. ”

Read Less

Victor Cabral

5 star rating

“Great course, it enriched my faith and spiritual life.”

“Great course, it enriched my faith and spiritual life.”

Read Less

FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ

5 star rating

“Excellent course! Easy to follow and easy to understand the information. Deacon is a brilliant teacher.”

“Excellent course! Easy to follow and easy to understand the information. Deacon is a brilliant teacher.”

Read Less

Dr Machael Dawson Anthony

5 star rating

“Excellent course, I really learned a lot.”

“Excellent course, I really learned a lot.”

Read Less

Victor Cabral

5 star rating

“Great course, it enriched my faith and spiritual life.”

“Great course, it enriched my faith and spiritual life.”

Read Less

Kathy Priddy

5 star rating

“The Celebration is the correct word for being active in the Christian Mystery. Love the course.”

“The Celebration is the correct word for being active in the Christian Mystery. Love the course.”

Read Less

Shannon Coffey

5 star rating

“This lesson was easy to understand and should be emphasized for all Catholics.”

“This lesson was easy to understand and should be emphasized for all Catholics.”

Read Less

Victor Cabral

5 star rating

“Great course, it enriched my faith and spiritual life.”

“Great course, it enriched my faith and spiritual life.”

Read Less

Lorraine Cisneros

5 star rating

“Great courses. I was able to complete at my own pace.”

“Great courses. I was able to complete at my own pace.”

Read Less

Dr Machael Dawson Anthony

5 star rating

“Excellent course, I really learned a lot.”

“Excellent course, I really learned a lot.”

Read Less

FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ

5 star rating

“Excellent course! Easy to follow and easy to understand the information. Deacon is a brilliant teacher.”

“Excellent course! Easy to follow and easy to understand the information. Deacon is a brilliant teacher.”

Read Less

Kathy Priddy

5 star rating

“The Celebration is the correct word for being active in the Christian Mystery. Love the course.”

“The Celebration is the correct word for being active in the Christian Mystery. Love the course.”

Read Less

Jeannette Ruiz

5 star rating

“The text that comprised a majority of the “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” online coursework was relevant and engaging. My interest level increased with each lesson I completed and indeed I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit the Script...”

Read More

“The text that comprised a majority of the “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery” online coursework was relevant and engaging. My interest level increased with each lesson I completed and indeed I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit the Scripture passages provided. ”

Read Less

Brandon Alton

5 star rating

“Flows easily and is very understandable. I'm very new to this, but it's flowing very much like an online college course. ”

“Flows easily and is very understandable. I'm very new to this, but it's flowing very much like an online college course. ”

Read Less

Adrian Wells

5 star rating

“Great reading of Scripture in this course. Structure, the layout and the Video overlap helps with understanding core principles of the Holy Mass. Structured in an easy format to complete.”

“Great reading of Scripture in this course. Structure, the layout and the Video overlap helps with understanding core principles of the Holy Mass. Structured in an easy format to complete.”

Read Less

Githinji Ndonga

5 star rating

“Great course”

“Great course”

Read Less

Brendan Griffis

5 star rating

“Brilliant course, Very well organized. Logical flow of of understanding God's Word and to becoming Catholic. Easy to follow. ”

“Brilliant course, Very well organized. Logical flow of of understanding God's Word and to becoming Catholic. Easy to follow. ”

Read Less

Ikechukwu Ukeachu

5 star rating

“This is the best RCIA course. This is so amazing beyond description...God bless the Holy Catholic Church and Catholic online school who has made this so simple to learn.”

“This is the best RCIA course. This is so amazing beyond description...God bless the Holy Catholic Church and Catholic online school who has made this so simple to learn.”

Read Less

Pedro Gonçalves Ribeiro

5 star rating

“Curso bem elaborado!”

“Curso bem elaborado!”

Read Less

Kim Roden

5 star rating

“Interesting and relevant. Very much enjoyed”

“Interesting and relevant. Very much enjoyed”

Read Less

Kevin Irwin

5 star rating

“Loved it. Wonderful job, excellent course.”

“Loved it. Wonderful job, excellent course.”

Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair