“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 5.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 10 - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions


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.


Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction to RCIA - For Adults - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Chapter 5 with 'Certificate of Completion'

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

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 10 - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • INTRODUCTION - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • OPENING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • VIDEO - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • QUIZ - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 1 - Christian Funerals

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 10 - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • INTRODUCTION - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • OPENING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • VIDEO - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • QUIZ - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 2 - Sacramentals, Blessings and Popular Devotions

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 10 - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • INTRODUCTION - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • OPENING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • VIDEO - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • QUIZ - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 3 - Minor and Major Exorcisms

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - Course 10 - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • INTRODUCTION - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • OPENING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • VIDEO - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • QUIZ - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Additional Liturgical Celebrations and Devotions - Lesson 4 - The Holy Rosary

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

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With God, you can learn anything

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

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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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...”

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“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. 5 stars”

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Jacque Archuleta

4 star rating

“This course is perfect, thank you!”

“This course is perfect, thank you!”

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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