PERIOD OF EVANGELIZATION AND PRECATECHUMENATE

This is the very beginning of the process by which an individual begins to ask questions about the faith while freely and consciously responding to God’s grace in their life. This initial step is of no fixed duration, but a desire for preliminary questioning and a basic introduction to Gospel values and the mission of the Church of Christ. 

 

FIRST STEP: ACCEPTANCE/WELCOMING INTO THE ORDER OF CATECHUMENATE

The terminology varies with this liturgical rite depending upon where the individual is in their own faith development.

The Rite of Acceptance is a liturgical rite that is usually celebrated on a certain date in the liturgical year within the worshiping community celebrating those who are unbaptized and have freely responded to God’s grace to take this first step of Acceptance, and in turn the community of the Church accepts this invitation. “God showers his grace on the candidates, since the celebration manifests their desire publicly and marks their reception and first consecration by the Church” (RCIA, 41). Those unbaptized individuals who upon receiving the Rite of Acceptance now enter the official order of Catechumens. Through the Rite of Acceptance, the catechumen is, joined to the Church of Christ, part of the household of Christ, Nourished by the Word of God, and sustained by the liturgical celebrations (RCIA, 47). Therefore the catechumen is now eager to participate in the Liturgy of the Word and receive blessings and sacramentals. It is at this point that Catechumens are invited and entitled to the Rites of Marriage and Christian Burial.

The Rite of Welcoming is a liturgical rite that is usually celebrated on a certain date, at times in conjunction with the Rite of Acceptance, for those who are already baptized and uncatechized Catholics, or full initiation into the Catholic Church, who are baptized and uncatechized Christians. Full initiation into the Roman Catholic Church would be for those adults who are previously baptized in another Christian community and uncatechized. “Once formally welcomed into the life of the community, these adults, besides regularly attending Sunday Eucharist, take part in celebrations of the Word of God in the full Christian assembly and in celebrations arranged especially for the benefit of the candidates” (RCIA, 413).

 

PERIOD OF CATECHUMENATE

This is a period of no particular duration that is fit to correspond to the needs of the catechumens nourishment in the faith life of the Church and growth in personal holiness through celebration of the Word of God, prayers of exorcism, and blessings that are meant to assist in the process of conversion to the will of Christ. “As they (catechumens) become familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to faith, in all things to keep their hopes set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds, and to practice the love of neighbor, even at the cost of self-renunciation” (RCIA, 75).

PREPARATION OF UNCATECHIZED ADULTS FOR CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST, “As in the case of catechumens, the preparation of these adults requires a considerable time, during which the faith infused in baptism must grow in them and take root through the pastoral formation they receive. A program of training, catechesis suited to their needs, contact with the community of the faithful, and participation in certain liturgical rites are needed in order to strengthen them in Christian life” (RCIA, 401).

 

SECOND STEP: ELECT ION OR ENROLLMENT OF NAMES

This liturgical rite is usually celebrated on the First Sunday of the Lenten Season. The Church formally recognizes the catechumens’ process of readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now referred to as the elect, express freely and consciously the will to receive the sacraments of initiation. 

RITE OF SENDING THE CANDIDATES FOR RECOGNITION BY THE BISHOP AND FOR THE CALL OF CONTINUING CONVERSION This rite is provided for those candidates who are seeking to complete their Christian initiation or to be received fully into the communion of the Catholic Church. Because the Bishop is the sign of unity within the particular Church, it is fitting for the Bishop to recognize these candidates after the parish community has prepared them well for their fuller life in the Church (RCIA, 434-435). 

 

PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT

This stage usually precedes the elect’s initiation into the Church, usually taking place throughout the Lenten Season leading up to the celebration of the Easter Vigil. This is meant to be a time of reflection and growth in maturity as a Catholic Christian. Many parishes offer Days of Recollection or Retreat opportunities for the elect. Liturgically, this time can be marked by the celebration of the scrutinies and presentations and preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

 

THIRD STEP: CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INTIATION

This is a liturgical rite that is usually celebrated in the context of the Easter Vigil. The elect are initiated into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. “Through this final step the elect, receiving pardon for their sins, are admitted into the people of God. They are graced with adoption as children of God and are led by the Holy Spirit into the promised fullness of time begun in Christ and, as they share in the Eucharistic sacrifice and meal, even to a foretaste of the kingdom of God” (RCIA, 206). “Candidates for reception, who in baptism have already been justified by faith and incorporated into Christ, are entering fully into a community that is constituted by its communion both in faith and in the sacramental sharing of the paschal mystery” (RCIA, 563).

 

PERIOD OF POSTBAPTISMAL CATECHESIS OR MYSTAGOGY

This is a time usually marked by the fifty days that make up the Easter Season, following the celebration of the sacraments of initiation. At this time and by God’s grace for their entire lives the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community through full and active participation in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration.