The process of catechizing adults was something done in the early Church when many were being converted to Christianity. It fell out of use over the years but the Second Vatican Council prescribed the revision of the rite of baptism of adults and decreed that the catechumenate for adults, divided into several steps, should be restored.
The initiation of catechumens (the name given to those who are deciding to be baptized in the Catholic church) is a gradual process that involves a spiritual journey of faith. This journey includes not only periods for making inquiry and maturing in the faith, but also the steps marking the catechumen's progess, as they pass, so to speak, through another doorway or ascend to the next level (RCIA, no. 6).
This March, we have a candidate who is seeking Full Communion with the Catholic Church. Candidates are those Christians who were baptized in another faith tradition but wish to become members of the Roman Catholic Church. Please join me in welcoming Brian Hartwig into the Catholic faith tradition. He will be making his profession of faith on Sunday, March 10 at the 10:30m Mass at St. Peter's.
OUTLINE FOR CHRISTIAN INITIATIONS OF ADULTS
I. Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate
This is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.
1. First Step: Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on some annual date or dates, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ.
II. Period of Catechumenate
This is the time, in duration corresponding to the progress of the individual, for the nurturing and growth of the catechumens' faith and conversion to God; celebrations of the word and prayers of exorcism and blessing are meant to assist the process.
2. Second Step: Election or Enrollment of Names
This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens' readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now called 'the elect', express the will to receive the sacraments.
III. Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This is the time immediately preceding the elects' initiation, usually the Lenten season preceding the celebration of this initiation at the Easter Vigil; it is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and presentations and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.
3. Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation
This is the liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter Vigil, by which the elect are initiated through baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.
IV. Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy
This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of pertinent catechesis and pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration.
Do you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic? In this Year of Faith, perhaps the way you live your life, as a follower of Christ, will inspire another to think about becoming a member of the Catholic Church. If you or someone you know wants to know more about the RCIA program, have them contact Carol Burczyk, Pastoral Associate, at 284-5771.
Submitted by Carol Burczyk, Pastoral Associate
As we await the start of the papal conclave where the new pope will be selected, I thought it would be a good time to share the following video on how that will happen:
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