Christian Initiation Process

1. Period of Inquiry.  This is a time of introduction to the gospel of Jesus Christ and a time of reflection on one's own life in the light of the values of the reign of God.  It is an unstructured time of no fixed duration for questions and an opportunity for the beginning of Christian faith to form.

2. Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.  In this liturgical rite, those who wish to become catechumens publicly express their desire to follow the way of Jesus. The church accepts their intention and welcomes them into the household of faith as catechumens.

3. Period of the Catechumenate. Along with the whole community, catechumens celebrate the liturgy of the word at Mass each Sunday. After the homily, the catechumens and their catechists (teachers) continue to study and ponder the scriptures and the teachings of the church.  During this time, catechumens receive anointings, participate in prayers of exhortation   and blessings, and take part in the mission of the church to the world. Through prayer. learning and coming to know other Catholic Christians, catechumens discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the church.

4. Election or Enrollment of Names. At this liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the cathedral of the diocese, the bishop formally acknowledges the readiness of the catechumens and calls them to the sacraments of initiation.  The catechumens respond by expressing their desire for these sacraments.  From this time until they are baptized, they are called the elect.

5. Period of Purification and Enlightenment. This time of intense preparation for initiation usually coincides with Lent.  During this period, the elect and the parish community together focus on conversion, scrutinize their lives in light of the gospel and celebrate the presentations of the Creed and Lord's Prayer.

6. Sacraments of Initiation. The elect become full members of the Body of Christ, the church, through the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist, usually at the Easter Vigil.  From this time until the end of the period of mystagogy, they are known as neophytes, "new sprouts."

7. Period of Mystagogy.  During the fifty-day season of Easter, neophytes ponder the experience and meaning of the sacraments and participate with the faithful in the eucharistic life of the church and its mission for justice and peace.  Formation and teaching continue for one year to help the neophytes become incorporated into the full life of the Christian community.

The climax of the catechumenate process is the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist at the Easter Vigil, followed by a period for reflection on the sacraments and for integration into the life and mission of the church.