The Way

Neocatechumenal
Way

The Neocatechumenal Way was born in 1964 in the shanty towns of Palomeras Altas, near Madrid (Spain).

Christ Pantocrator — icon of Kiko Argüello
Christ Pantocrator · Kiko Argüello
I acknowledge the Neocatechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid for our society and for our times.
S. John Paul II
Ogniqualvolta Letter
Shantytowns of Palomeras Altas, 1964
Palomeras Altas · Madrid · 1964

A THEOLOGICAL-CATECHETIC SYNTHESIS AMONG THE MOST POOR

The environment of the shanty towns was formed by the most degraded layers of society: gypsies and “quinquis” (largely illiterate), homeless, thieves, prostitutes, young criminals, immigrants, etc. In this environment, the seed of the Neocatechumenal Way germinated. Among the poor and marginalized who received the announcement of the dead and risen Christ, Kiko and Carmen how the Holy Spirit started a process of Christian initiation, in the image of the catechumenate of the early Church.

Thus was born the first community founded on the tripod: Word of God-Liturgy-Community, leading to fraternal communion and mature faith.

Word of God
Liturgy
Community

Data of the Neocatechumenal Way

20,300 Communities
1,392 Diocese
6,197 Parishes
139 Nations
  • 116 Redemptoris Mater Seminaries
  • 1,903 Seminarians and 61 deacons
  • 3,263 Presbyters formed in the RMS
  • 936 Families in mission, evangelizing in 209 Missio ad Gentes in 68 nations.
  • 738 Strengthening and sustaining the Way of faith, in various nations.
  • 300 Families in Itinerant Teams

Updated July 2025:

We must make Christian communities like the Holy Family of Nazareth

who live in

humility
simplicity
praise
«The other is Christ»