“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 2.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 2 - The Sacraments of the Church
  • Course 3 - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism
  • Course 4 - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation
  • Course 5 - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist 


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 to RCIA - For Adults - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Chapter 2 with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'
  • 02

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 2 - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of the Church - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacraments

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 3 - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 1 - The Saving Waters of Baptism

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 3 - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • CLOSING PRAYER -The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • QUIZ -The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism - Lesson 2 - The Necessity of Baptism

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 4 - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of Confirmation

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 4 - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: Confirmation - Lesson 2 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 5 - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 1 - The Sacrament of the Eucharist

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 5 - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 2 - Understanding the Reality and Miracle of the Eucharist

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 09

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 5 - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Initiation: The Eucharist - Lesson 3 - Worthy Reception of the Eucharist

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Zandile Miriam Shaba

5 star rating

“Really opened my eyes about the importance, sacredness and beauty of the Eucharist.”

“Really opened my eyes about the importance, sacredness and beauty of the Eucharist.”

→Read Less

GARY CRUZ-ANDREWS

5 star rating

“Wow, most revealing and informative course have ever taken!!”

“Wow, most revealing and informative course have ever taken!!”

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Shannon Coffey

5 star rating

“The lessons were short and organized and very easy to understand. ”

“The lessons were short and organized and very easy to understand. ”

→Read Less

Paul Iorwuese TIM

5 star rating

“Very interesting, educational and I have learned alot.”

“Very interesting, educational and I have learned alot.”

→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