“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 3.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 6 - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation 
  • Course 7 - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick


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

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Zandile Miriam Shaba

5 star rating

“I learned so much about why confessing to a Priest is so important. Also the sacrament of anointing of the sick brought clarity on why God may not always provide physical healing. ”

“I learned so much about why confessing to a Priest is so important. Also the sacrament of anointing of the sick brought clarity on why God may not always provide physical healing. ”

→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

Zandile Miriam Shaba

5 star rating

“I learned so much about why confessing to a Priest is so important. Also the sacrament of anointing of the sick brought clarity on why God may not always provide physical healing. ”

“I learned so much about why confessing to a Priest is so important. Also the sacrament of anointing of the sick brought clarity on why God may not always provide physical healing. ”

→Read Less

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction to RCIA - For Adults - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Chapter 3 with 'Certificate of Completion'

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

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 6 - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 1 - An Overview of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 6 - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - The Three Acts of Penitent

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 6 - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 3 - The Role of the Priest

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 6 - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation - Lesson 4 - Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 7 - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • VIDEO - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 1 - Christ's Compassion for the Sick: Healing Soul and Body

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 7 - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • INTRODUCTION - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

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

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • QUIZ - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Sacraments of Healing: The Anointing of the Sick - Lesson 2 - Receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

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