Both in its liturgy and in its liturgical catechesis, Lent is a commemoration of baptism or a preparation for it and a time of penance it renews the community of the faithful together with the catechumens and makes them ready to celebrate the paschal mystery, which the sacraments of initiation apply to each individual. The time of purification and enlightenment of the catechumens customarily coincides with Lent. This period of 'Purification and Enlightenment' is admirably described in the introduction: Once the candidate is ready to receive the three sacraments of initiation the immediate preparation, usually coinciding with Lent, begins. God showers his grace on them, as this celebration manifests their desire publicly and marks their reception and first consecration by the Church.'Īfter this is a period of formation that varies from country to country but usually lasts one or two years. Assembling publicly for the first time, the candidates make their intention known to the Church and the Church, carrying out its apostolic mission, admits those who intend to become members. The rite described as the 'entrance into the order of catechumens' is of the utmost importance. This is done once they have acquired the fundamentals of Christian teachings, the beginnings of the spiritual life, and the first stirrings of repentance. Some time before the immediate Lenten preparation, the candidates would have already been admitted as catechumens. Our correspondent's question refers especially to the rites pertaining to the second stage (or No.

It is a time for deepening the Christian experience, for gaining spiritual fruit, and for entering more closely into the life and unity of the community of the faithful.' The final period goes through the whole Easter season and is devoted to the postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogy. It is a time of purification and enlightenment. The third period, shorter in length, ordinarily coincides with the Lenten preparation for the Easter celebration and the sacraments. It comes to an end on the day of election. The second period, which begins with this entrance into the order of catechumens and which may last for several years, includes catechesis and the rites connected with catechesis.

It ends with entrance into the order of catechumens. The first period consists of inquiry on the part of the candidates and of evangelization and the precatechumenate on the part of the Church. '7.The stages lead to the periods for making inquiry and maturing alternatively, the periods may also be considered to prepare for the stages. Third stage : after the spiritual preparation is completed, they receive the sacraments of Christian initiation.' Second stage : when their faith has grown and the catechumenate is almost completed, they are admitted to a more intense preparation for the sacraments. First stage : at the point of initial conversion, they wish to become Christians and are accepted as catechumens by the Church. 7) there are stages or 'steps': the progress of the catechumen is, as it were, a passage through a gateway or the climbing of another 'step.' On this journey, besides periods for making inquiry and for maturing (see no. 6 of the introduction describes the principal stages that a person seeking baptism usually goes through: We shall base our reply on the English language version although there may be some differences between countries. The various rites and stages that they are required to undergo before baptism are described in the introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Am I wrong in presuming that it is God who calls the catechumens to conversion? The Church is only the medium for God to act. Please explain why it is compulsory for the catechumens to undergo these rites if they have already consented to become Catholics and the Church has accepted them as the elect to be baptized during the Easter Vigil. - C.A., Muar, MalaysiaĪ: Our reader refers to adults who will be baptized during the Easter Vigil Mass. I am confused about the rite of purifications during the Sundays of Lent. My understanding is that with the rite of election the catechumen has given his consent to God to be baptized in the Catholic Church. Q: We celebrated the Rite of Election of Catechumens. Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Scrutinies catholic definition