More 500 from Neocatechumenal Way gather in Modesto before spreading out over the state[/caption]
The only Catholic priest on Catalina Island, Father Dario Miranda, is used to seeing new faces. His parish, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Avalon, is a few blocks away from the harbor that welcomes vacation-goers via ferry from Los Angeles every day.
So when he saw three men in the parish patio one sunny afternoon in early July as he returned from bringing holy Communion to hospital patients, he didn’t think much of it.
“I thought they were tourists, so I just said hi,” said Miranda.
But as they began to talk, Miranda learned that the three men had actually come to Catalina to deliver him some news.
“They started telling me their life stories, their testimony about what Jesus Christ had done in their lives,” recalled Miranda, the pastor of St. Catherine since 2023. “It was super refreshing, it was inspiring, it was just what I needed to hear that day.”
Miranda wasn’t the only priest to get a surprise visit that week. From July 5-12, some 3,000 young Catholics fanned out across the United States in groups of two or three to visit every Catholic parish in the country, following the “two-by-two” apostolic mission described by Jesus in the Gospel: taking “nothing for the journey” — no food, money, clothes, or even a cellphone.
The youth are from parishes where through the Neocatechumenal Way, an itinerary of Christian initiation, they are beginning to rediscover their baptism.
“Our baptism sends us,” said Mary McCarthy, a laywoman on the team responsible for the Way in Northern California. “Our baptism sends us because we are learning that every faithful has the right and the duty to announce Jesus Christ. We are not doing any ministry. We are just sharing what Jesus Christ did in our lives.”
McCarthy, originally from New Jersey, said the mission shows that the world and the Church need the “radicality of the Gospel.”
“It doesn’t matter who you are. We all need a messenger, a witness, to announce that God created us to be happy and loves us just the way we are. And that love is not a theory or an idea, it is experienced in the lives of real people.”
Of the hundreds of teams that went out, many slept on sidewalks, in parks and in homeless shelters. Others were welcomed into the homes of laypeople. McCarthy explained that the mission was inspired by the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, proclaimed earlier this year by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 800th anniversary of the Italian saint’s death.
“St. Francis discovered that poverty was his biggest asset,” said McCarthy. “It helped him love Christ more, and made him a more credible witness of the Gospel to people who really needed to hear it.”
One of Miranda’s visitors that day was Rafael Zaragoza, 36, of St. John the Baptist in Baldwin Park. During a retreat in the Diocese of Stockton the week before, his name was put in a basket along with more than 500 others to be sent anywhere in the Western U.S., including Alaska, Arizona, or even Hawaii. Instead, the lottery destined him closer to home: the San Pedro Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“Spending a week abandoned to Divine Providence, it was life-changing. God was with us at every moment, even if we didn’t realize until later,” said Zaragoza, whose team took a ferry to Catalina Island thanks to the generosity of parishioners they’d met at Holy Trinity Church in San Pedro.
“I told them that I would feed them and host them, but they were going to have to work for it,” laughed Miranda….
From Angelus News
I would stay far away from the Neocatechumenal Way. I have heard horror stories of their cult-like behavior, psychologically breaking people down, forcing people to tell all their sins aloud in group sessions, forcing them to tithe 10% of their incomes (tithe the 10% to their group, not to their parish church), and have psychological threats if people try to leave the group. They are completely separate from parish life, operate like a parachurch, and force you to go only to their special Masses (held in special rooms on Sat. nights) and their own events. You cannot attend any other type of Mass, or regular parish activities. Their Masses contain many serious liturgical abuses, which the Vatican has warned them to stop. They are very secretive about what they do, and are very secretive about finances. They have their own seminaries, and their own priests, trained differently than regular Catholic priests. I think the Vatican should put an end to this movement.
The neocatechumenal way is a cult.
https://abbeyclint.substack.com/p/i-was-in-the-neocatechumenal-way
Stay away from them.
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I would never join a group that would send me far away by lottery drawing at my own expense to do dubious missionary work for a few weeks.
In the picture why is there a menorah on the altar?
I have heard not very good things about the Neocatechumenal Way.
The Neocatechumenal Way, like other renewal movements (Regnum Christi, Focolare, Communion & Liberation, Opus Dei, Catholic charismatic communities, Cursillo and others), while not perfect, has brought many closer to Christ and His Church. I personally know several. Every movement has some good leaders and some bad ones (like almost every diocese and parish). And, many of these movements are largely relatively young Catholics and their families. The commitment of these men and women of the Neocatechumenal Way on mission is commendable. And, they’re bringing others to Christ. Are they perfect? No. Is it sometimes messy? Yes. But, look at Saints Francis and Ignatius of Loyola and their first followers (for only two examples). Ignatius was hauled before the Inquisition. Francis and Dominic’s new mendicant orders were types of religious communities never before seen in the Church. Growth is often messy. Think of gardening. Pruning is required. Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes was Pope John Paul’s liaison to these largely lay movements (as the first Franciscans were). If you want to understand the “movements,” I highly recommend his book, “Born of the Spirit – Renewal Movements in the Life of the Church” for a historical and current understanding.
And, no one is required to join them. If your parish is doing well at evangelizing and catechizing, then you likely feel no need to join one of the movements.
These movements are recognized (positively) by the Catholic Church. Some of the things written about them above are not true. Simply having heard things does not make them true. Might we be a little more charitable with our fellow Catholics, including these young people, who are serving the Church in a way that you might not prefer? Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matt. 7:16) Let’s look at the fruit coming out of what they’re doing. Did you read the article? Bringing Holy Communion to those in the hospital is just one example.
And, that’s not a menorah on the altar. It’s the traditional Christian seven-branch lampstand, as is on the altar of the parish I serve.
Beware, Deacon Craig. Many of these groups have cult-like behavior, and highly control and psychologically harm members. And also psychologically harm those who try to leave. Some members have also been harmed by sex abuse. Naive, ignorant people get trapped and enslaved by these terrible cults. No. Stick to your parish church, and be careful there, too. The Neocatechumenal Way is extremely secretive, psychologically controlling and abusive, and divisive, and does not allow members to attend regular Masses at their church. Their unusual Masses are full of terrible liturgical and Eucharistic abuses, which the Vatican has tried to stop. I have been horrified to see the cilices and other corporal mortification devices used daily by Opus Dei priests, and lay men and women members. St. Josemaria Escriva used to take a whip, called the “Discipline”– and daily whip himself. Pope St. John Paul II whipped himself daily with one of his belts in his closet. Jesus Christ never prescribed such evil penances to His followers. These things are evil, diabolic, and should be illegal. After Vatican II, these practices were outlawed by most religious orders of priests, brothers and nuns. Malpractice of religion.
Deacon Craig, Regnum Christi, the lay group associated with the Legionaires of Christ, founded by the dangerous, evil clerical sex predator, Marcial Maciel, is likewise a dangerous, secretive, psychologically and spiritually controlling, abusive, manipulative, shaming, enslaving group, with extreme micro-management of every little daily detail. They forced members to take a secret fourth vow, to never criticize a superior, in order to suppress dissent. Many Legionaires of Christ priests, and a great many consecrated women and men, and laymen, of Regnum Christi, have been extremely harmed. They have four distinct groups, four levels of vocations. EWTN TV broadcasted a special show about this, some time ago. The whole organization was broken up by the Vatican, some years ago, and the criminal, bad priest, Marcial Maciel died. Many more of their priests (33 priests, possibly more) also vwere guilty of vast evil clerical sex abuse, of more than 175 minors. There have been many problems in trying to rebuild the organization.
In recent years, there have been many problems in different dioceses, worldwide, with the Neocatechumenal Way. Here is one terrible problem in the Las Cruces (New Mexico) Diocese, in the United States. Their Bishop is a Neocatechumenal Way bishop, (trained at one of their seninaries) who has caused many serious problems. It has been reported on by many different Catholic media outlets. Here is a link to one article:
https://share.google/p7NGdIZsrIEiUO3JO
Here is a close-up photo of a cilice, worn around the upper thigh for two hours per day, by Opus Dei members:
https://share.google/X95M1wwH1r6ndPlyP
And here is a photo of the “Discipline,” the whip that Opus Dei members use once a week, whipping themselves on their backs (or rear ends), while saying a prayer:
https://share.google/16SZxpTmF74O6pBsg
Of course there are problems with these movements, just as there are with parishes and dioceses.
The problem is all have some good leaders and others who are not. Should we avoid all movements, parishes and dioceses, which is, then, essentially, leaving the Church? Do we close a parish who had an evildoer as a pastor?
These movements, like the Church itself, have needed reform. Should Catholics be judged by the bad popes and other clergy we’ve had during our history?
Our family was part of a movement for a number of years. We were not abused. The closest we came was in a parish with a predator priest. Most abuse by priests happened in parishes staffed by diocesan priests. So much for “stick to your parish.” I’m glad Saints Francis and Ignatius didn’t follow such advice or the Church and the world would be worse off.
Again, look at the fruit of these movements. Talk with these young people. Ask them about the Faith. They know more than the average Catholic and are striving to live it out. On this site, people often (and rightly) lament poor catechesis. You’re seeing part of the solution, even if an imperfect one, to that serious problem. Look at those brought into or back into the Church by the movements. Three readily came to mind: Dr. Scott Hahn, Justice Clarence Thomas and Lila Rose. There are countless others.
Many here have commented positively about Our Lady of Peace Church in Santa Clara. The Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE) is in the process of reform and purification. So, look at the good fruit being born there, including lay persons in its secular third order.
Again, read Cardinal Cordes’s book for understanding. He worked for decades with many of the movements.
To those reading this who are part of a movement, continue to work to bring your lives and your movement closer to the heart of the Church. And, don’t get too discouraged by the harsh, vague comments of anonymous critics.
Deacon Craig, the clergy must be alert and careful, and fully investigate all groups and their leaders, before accepting them at a local church or diocese. Too many people have had their children and loved ones’ lives destroyed by diabolic, false religious leaders like “Fr.” Marcial Maciel, “Fr.” Marko Rupnik, and tons of other dangerous clerical criminals– held in high regard by the Vatican– which is extremely slow to get rid of criminal clergy, once discovered. Our Catholic Church has way too much corruption. If your children or loved ones are badly injured, in a psychologically-destructive cult– or destroyed by a filthy clerical criminal rapist– tough luck, on getting help and justice, and help ending the problem– from the Catholic Church. Very risky. Most of these groups are not trustworthy– and neither is the Catholic Church.
I think all countries should pass strict laws against self‐harm, or harm to others, or harm to poor, innocent animals, for so-called “religious” purposes. When I was a child, age 7, there was a little boy in my class, whose parents were Christian Scientists (a faith healing-only cult). When very cold weather arrived, near the holiday season— many children got the flu, or pneumonia, including this little boy. All the other children went to medical doctors, and received medicines, and routine childhood vaccinations, too. But this little boy’s parents only believed in faith healing, and didn’t accept modern medicine. One day, my mom mentioned to me, that this little boy’s parents, church members, and minister, all had tried faith healing on him. He was very sick. And he died during the night. A little second grader was now gone forever, from my class at school! Unthinkable! All religions must have reasonable, safe beliefs and practices, and all famiky members must be safe and well, at their church, synagogue, or mosque (etc.). No Sharia Law, either, no evil jihadist terrorist rampages for Allah, no “honor killings,” no animal sacrifices, only love, safety, well-being and protection for all, in America.
This little boy died in the 1950s, and no charges were brought against his parents for refusing medical care for him. Their religious rights were respected and upheld by society. Very shocking! Earlier, in 1952, there was a severe outbreak of polio in the United States, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths and 21,000 cases of lifelong paralysis. We knew of several children who had lifelong paralysis, as a result of contracting polio– including a little girl who was a very talented ballet student. She would never dance again. When Dr. Jonas Salk invented the famous polio vaccine, school children were all lined up at school, for the shot. A lifesaver for us! But is it right for a child to be denied lifesaving modern medical treatment, due to unusual religious beliefs of his parents? No.
I just read in the News that the California Natural Resources Agency just made the decision to eradicate all of the Mule Deer on Santa Catalina Island. The first phase started about 3 days ago in which 200 deer were to be killed. Sad, but they are not native to there and wreak havoc on the ecosystem. Hopefully the venison and hides will be put to good use, but I doubt it. Crazy California!
I prayed for the poor deer and called the Governor’s office to ask him to put a stop to it. I also signed several petitions. Fire officials worry that killing all the beautiful mule deer will cause fast-igniting invasive grasses to grow, raising fire dangers. God bless all the poor, helpless animals. Mankind is the worst thing in the environment on earth. Mankind needs to be constantly restrained in its stupidity snd cruelty.
I once was a member of a lay Third Order for many years, affiliated with the ancient Carmelites, whose main emphasis was on contemplative prayer. We suddenly got a Provincial Superior, a priest who disdained the Church’s saced traditions. He decided to “modernize” everything much further than Vatican II modernizations already done. He gave a speech telling everyone that private prayer, the Rosary, and Adoration were now forbidden by him, as they were deemed “selfish,” and “escapist.” Next he ordered that all prayers, hymns, devotions, etc. were to contain not one word in Latin, and we were forbidden from singing any traditional Latin hymn or, God forbid– occasionally attending a Tridentine Latin Mass (indult Mass, approved by Rome). Even worse, the Rosary was to no longer be recited, and we were to accept feminism, as the Rosary was now viewed as “backward.” And we could only attend a Novus Ordo Mass in which modern (OCP) pop songs were sung. Thousands immediately quit the lay order, worldwide, including myself– it totally collapsed. Next, in Rome, the bad priest tried to work with the Vatican dicasteries to harm us, and prevent any of us from joining another lay group. There was a horrific political upheaval, with many threats hurled at us. I joined in letter-writing to Rome, regarding this priest’s evil religious abuses. He was eventually reassigned to work in a Roman library, far from work with people. Good. I will never join any other serious lay group of any kind, in the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo, when he served as Bishop Prevost of Chiclayo, in Peru, was called by Pope Francis to also serve as Apostolic Administrator of the nearby Diocese of Callao, to help heal serious problems. Their bishop, a prominent and divisive, destructive Neocatechumenal Way cleric, was forced to resign, due to huge tensions and divisiveness in his Diocese, caused by the Neocatechumenal Way.
Do your homework on the Neocathecumenal Way before you approach.
Then walk in the opposite direction.
Too much is “off base” about this movement.
Stay away from these weirdos. Pray for the TLM to return to our altars.