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.  It is a time of evangelization: faithfully and constantly the living God is proclaimed.  From evangelization come the faith and initial conversion that cause a person to feel called away from sin and drawn into the mystery of God's love.  During this period, priests and deacons, catechists and other laypersons give the candidates a suitable explanation of the Gospel.  Opportunities are provided for them to meet families and other groups of Christians.

 

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.

 

Period of the Catechumenate:  The Catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life.  In this way, the dispositions manifested at their acceptance into the Catechumenate are brought to maturity.  This is achieved in four ways:

     - A suitable catechesis is provided by priests or deacons, planned to be gradual and
      complete in its coverage, accommodated by the liturgical year, and solidly supported by
      the celebrations of the word;
    - As they 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 the faith, to keep their hopes
      set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds, and to practice love of
      neighbor
    - The Church helps the catechumens on their journey by means of suitable liturgical rites,
      which purify the catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God's blessing.
    - Since the Church's life is apostolic, catechumens should also learn how to work actively
      with others to spread the Gospel and build up the church by the witness of their lives and
      by professing their faith.

 

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 catechumen's readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments.  This step is called election because the acceptance made by the Church is founded on the election by God, in whose name the Church acts.  The step is also called the enrollment of names because as a pledge of fidelity the candidates inscribe their names in the book that lists those who have been chosen for initiation.

 

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 (rites for self-searching and repentance, celebrated on Sundays) and Presentations (the presentation of the sacred texts of Catholicism, the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, following the celebration of the Scrutinies) and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

 

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.  The catechumens 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.  The sacraments are ordered as follows:

     - Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith
     - Baptism
     - Celebration of Confirmation
     - First Sharing in the Celebration of the Eucharist

Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy:  This is the time, usually during 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 particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration.