The journey to Christian initiation begins with a period of inquiry. Attracted by God to examine the Christian faith community, the inquirers share life experiences with Catholics, reflect on the scriptural word of God, seek knowledge about the Catholic religion and its relationship to Christianity, and have the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ, at least in a preliminary way.
Through a rite of welcome, the seekers ask for acceptance into the Catholic faith community, and they are joyfully accepted into the church as candidates for Christian initiation. They become known as catechumens, persons who promise to take instructions in the Catholic faith and live a Christian life.
After the initial celebration of welcomeing in which the catechumens renounce sin and take on a new Christian name, they study the Christian faith more deeply, sometime under the guidance of a Christian sponsor. during this period, which may last for months or even years, the catechumens grow familiar with the Christian way of life, study the Christian scriptures and participate fully in the Liturgy of the Word, and begin to take an active role in the life of the church community. Through study, community participation, service, and prayer, the catechumens are on the way toward a full commitment to Jesus Christ and his body, the church.
After the lengthy period of instruction and testing of the catechumens' resolve to follow the way to Jesus, the church calls them forward to a deeper stage of spiritual preparation. On the first Sunday of Lent the elect gather at their parish and are called forward to take the final steps toward Christian initiation. Later in the day they travel to the cathedral where all the catechumens from around the diocese are enrolled as the elect who will be baptized on the Easter vigil and fully received into the Christian community.
When the bishop enrolls the elect, he challenges them to prepare themselves for baptism and full reception into the community by prayer and fasting during the Lenten season. This period of proximate preparation for full initiation into the church is known as the Enlightenment. It coincides with Lent, that time in the liturgical year when all believers are to prepare themselves in a special way for the celebration of Christ's Paschal Mystery.
During the Sundays of Lent there are special rituals and prayers for the elect. Reflection on the Sunday readings, especially from John's gospel, helps the baptismal candidates choose Jesus and his kingdom over the way of Satan and darkness. The elect also learn the Christian creed and the Lord's Prayer, the basic summary of Christian beliefs and the prayer of all those who follow Christ.
The rite of initiation typically takes place during the Easter vigil liturgy. At this service the elect are baptized, confirmed, and take holy communion for the first times as full members of Christ's body. The rite of baptism includes a special litany, the blessing of the water, the baptism itself, clothing in a white garment, and the presentation of a candle lit from the paschal candle. Confirmation includes simple words of prayer, the imposition of hands, and the anointing with the blessed oils known as chrism.
During the weeks following Easter, the new Christians meet to reflect on the meaning of the recent events in their lives as Christians. They are supported by the community through a post baptismal catechesis, that is, a deeper study into the mysteries of the faith. The term mysteries refers to those signs of God's love which are present in the church's sacramental life and in the lives of Christians who are united to the Lord.
Pentecost Sunday concludes the catechumenate and begins the lifelong pilgrimage of a fully initiated Christian. By this time the new members of the church have selected some service activity which will contribute to the building of Christ's body. They now have the full responsibility of a follower of Jesus.
Please see our CONNECTIONS pages to learn more about our many Adult Spiritual Enrichment opportunities.