Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: LOST OPPORTUNITY?
Summary
The aim of preparation for Confirmation is the formation for a testimonial form of Christian life and practising of apostolate. In the context of these tasks the present mode of preparation for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation still remains highly insufficient.This preparation is of a too individualistic and formalcharacter. It does not prepare for living in a community and therefore does not meet its major purpose of fostering Christian maturity. In this context a new meaning should be bestowed upon the roles of witnesses and mystagogy in preparation for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation.The conclusion is that in pastoral practice one should take into consideration the fuller introduction of the confirmed to a parish life by a catechumenal method. In order to achieve this aim one can use more profoundly the deuterocatechumenal formation of the Light-Life Movement (Ruch Światło-Życie) an experience of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which is quite efficient in introducing into a reality of faith through seminars of faith renewal. There is also a very valid postulate at stake to create „spirituality centres” in dioceses or special centres preparing adults for Confirmation according to the Rites of Christian initiation of adults (Ordo initiationis christianae adultorum).
Keywords: catechisation, catechumenate, Christian initiation, mistagogy, sacrament of Confirmation

MYSTAGOGICAL ASPECTS IN PREACHING OF CARDINAL KAROL WOJTYŁA IN THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF PIEKARY
Cardinal Karol Wojtyła several times preached the homily during the annual pilgrimage of men to Our Lady of Piekary. Mystagogy was the key element in his speeches. Preaching the Word of God should be a reminiscence and a presentation of the work of Jesus Christ. The goal of preaching is to transform the life of each individual who listens to the word of God and to point him to all of the possiblities on how to answer to God in daily life. The listener should hear how his or her faith is going to resonate in the contemporary world. The content of mystagogical homilies of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła in Piekary was clearly seen in initation in the mysteries of faith and the rules of Christian life.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD AS IT CONCERNS THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION
Penitential preaching arises from the Scriptures and Tradition of the Church. The significant development of this form of word ministry took place in the Middle Ages, when preachers often spoke about sins and appealed for conversion, founding grounds of it in eschatology. Nowadays, it is advisable to speak often and more about the sacrament of penance and reconciliation - referring to revelation and anthropology. It is always necessary to remind believers about the essence and fatal effects of sin - either in a homily concerning the sacrament of penance, as well as in a penitential preaching in the whole; in the same way, it is always actual to stress the endless God's mercy, redemptive effects of divine grace - and to appeal to true conversion and compensation for the evil that has been done. There are many occasions for preaching about penance and reconciliation during the liturgical year, especially during Lent and at Easter time. such religious issues come from the Liturgy of the Word for Sundays and feast days and is an essence of liturgy of the Mass. All forms of cyclical ministry (such as various retreats, parish missions, days of meditation, the Paschal Triduum, along with examination of conscience) are also closely connected with the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. It is also obvious that the priest himself should be a man of penance, this would enable him to speak with convinction and testify to God's endless mercy. It is also advisable to do research on contemporary word ministry - paying special attention to its relation with the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. As a warning to Polish priests should be the currently wide-spread conviction in many western countries that confession is not necessary, resulting in people often going to Communion without the sacrament of penance.