Understanding our Faith

Catechumenate – Becoming a Catholic

The Catechumenate or the way of becoming a Catholic that is proposed by the Church today takes at least a year.  It reaches its high-point at the Easter Vigil when those who are part of it are baptised or, if they are already baptised, are confirmed and received into the Church.  All candidates then enter into the celebration of the Eucharist.

The Catechumenate is a part of the life of the whole community.  There are those who are part of the group who accompany those in the Catechumenate.  The people making up this group meet regularly with the catechumens to ponder the scriptures and to discuss what it means to be part of the Catholic Church.

There are parishioners who volunteer to be sponsors to the catechumens and to be personal companions to them.

Then on the way through the process, there are several times when the catechumens are involved in welcoming and affirming rites among the people gathered at Sunday Mass.  (These rites are a little like the rites of reception at Sunday Mass for families whose babies will be baptised later).

There are four parts to the whole process which succeed one another.  First, there is the time of Inquiry – this is the first step during which the candidates ask their questions and get an initial sense of what entry into the Church will mean for them.

Secondly, there is the time of reflection and instruction – this period is technically called the catechumenal period.  This involves reflection over the scriptures, prayer and education in the understanding of the faith and, if you like, the ‘feel’ of being a Catholic. 

Thirdly, during the weeks of Lent there is a more intense period of preparation both in prayer and in developing understanding.  There is often some sort of retreat during this period.  At the end of Lent, those involved are prepared for their baptism, confirmation and full celebration of the Eucharist, all of which occur during the Easter Vigil.

Fourthly, there comes the period which goes by the strange name of the mystagogia!  This is the period when the newly baptised are given the opportunity to reflect on their whole experience of becoming a Catholic and to go more deeply into whatever aspects of the faith they would like to delve into.  This is a period in which our communion with the risen Lord receives special emphasis and the gospel readings of the Easter season are a guide into the appreciation of that communion.

By Fr Frank O’Loughlin