- Acceptance, Rite of: The rite by which unbaptized inquirers become catechumens. (For baptized candidates, see Welcome, Rite of)
Anointing: The ritual application of sacred oil. Within the Rite of Christian Initiation, there are two types of anointing: the anointing with the Oil of Catechumens during the periods of Catechumenate and Purification and Enlightenment by a priest or deacon; and the anointing with Holy Chrism at Confirmation by a priest or bishop.
Blessing: Ritual prayers signifying God’s love and the care of the Church for catechumens. These blessings, which instill courage, peace, and joy for the journey of conversion, may be given by a priest, deacon, or duly appointed lay catechist during the period of the catechumenate. Usually blessings are given at the conclusion of a Celebration of the Word or a catechetical session.
Book of the Elect: The book in which the elect sign their names at the Rite of Sending and which the Bishop then signs at the Call to the Easter Sacraments. These elect are fully initiated at the Easter Vigil.
Candidate: A baptized adult (for purposes of Christian initiation, anyone 7 years old or older) preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church; used in a broader sense, the term sometimes refers to anyone preparing to receive a sacrament.
Catechesis: The comprehensive and systematic apprenticeship in the faith which prepares catechumens and others for full communion with the Catholic Church. It consists of doctrinal instruction, liturgical education, moral formation, direction in the life of prayer, integration into community life, and training for mission in the world.
Catechetical age: The age at which children have the use of reason; generally, 7 years and older.
Catechumen: An adult (for purposes of Christian initiation, anyone 7 years old or older) who is unbaptized and has been accepted in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.
Catechumenate: Generally, the process by which the Catholic Church initiates unbaptized adults and unbaptized children of catechetical age into full membership; specifically, the period of time that begins with the Rite of Acceptance and concludes with the Rite of Election. The length of this period is not inflexibly fixed and is governed by the needs of the catechumen.
Celebrations of the Word of God: Short scripture services conducted during the catechumenate period for the following purposes: to implant in the hearts of catechumens (and, where pastorally appropriate, candidates) the catechetical instruction they are receiving; to give them experience in different ways of prayer; to explain the liturgical seasons, signs and celebrations of the Church; and to prepare them more fully for participation at Sunday Mass.
Chrism: A sacred oil mixed with fragrance and consecrated by the bishop; used in the RCIA for anointing in the ritual of Confirmation. The same Chrism is used to anoint priests and bishops at ordination, infants at baptism, churches and altars during their dedication.
Conversion: A life-long journey of transformation, turning away from sin and embracing the Gospel. More than a one-time experience, conversion conforms the heart, mind, and actions of the believer to Christ.
Discernment: The process by which the one seeking baptism or full communion, and the community, guided by the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Church, explore and determine one’s readiness to move to the next stage of initiation.
Dismissal: The sending forth of catechumens (and where appropriate, candidates) for guided reflection upon God’s Word in the Lectionary. Normally this takes place during the Sunday Masses from the beginning of the Catechumenate period to the Easter Vigil.
Elect: Catechumens who have been chosen in the Rite of Election (normally at the beginning of Lent during the Call to the Easter Sacraments) to complete their initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Election, Rite of: The rite celebrated at the beginning of Lent in which catechumens are chosen by the Church for baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. This rite, generally part of the Call to the Easter Sacraments, marks the end of the Period of Catechumenate and the beginning of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Also known as Enrollment. (Enlightenment, Period of: See Purification and Enlightenment, Period of.)
Enrollment: See Election, Rite of
Exorcisms: Prayers for catechumens/elect seeking the power and protection of God in the struggle against evil and falsehood. The “minor exorcisms” found in the Period of Catechumenate may be presided over by a priest, deacon, or duly appointed catechist. The exorcisms which are part of the Scrutinies must be presided over by a priest or deacon.
Godparent: A fully initiated member of the Church (baptized, confirmed, received eucharist), living a Catholic way of life, who accompanies the candidate “on the day of election, at the celebration of the sacraments of initiation, and during the period of mystagogy. . . “. The godparent is chosen by the candidate (or in the case of children of catechetical age, theirparents or guardians) on the basis of good example, spiritual maturity, and friendship. Normally, a godparent must be at least 16 years old.
Initiation: The entire process through which a person enters full communion with the Church.
Inquirer: Any adult, baptized or unbaptized, seeking to discover more about the faith and life of the Catholic Church prior to making a decision to join.
Inquiry: see Precatechumenate, period of.
Lectionary: Book of biblical readings used at Mass.
Mystagogy: The period after Easter when the neophytes and the entire community reflect upon the meaning and experience of the Easter sacraments. The main liturgical setting for mystagogy is the Masses for Neophytes, i.e., the Sunday Masses of the Easter Season. The readings and prayers of these Masses are mystagogical in content and intent; i.e., directed to reflection upon the experience and deepening of the Easter Sacraments.
Neophyte: A newly initiated Christian. This term is used during the period of post-baptismal catechesis (also known as mystagogy).
Peer companions: Catholic children of catechetical age who, through their help and example, support other children in the initiation process.
Precatechumenate, period of: The time before formal acceptance into the order of Catechumens when inquirers hear the Gospel, share stories of faith, and foster initial conversion.
Presentations: Rites celebrated during the Period of Purification and Enlightenment in which the church formally hands over to the elect the tradition of faith (in the Creed) and prayer (in the Lord’s Prayer).
Purification and Enlightenment, Period of: Final preparation of the Elect, to help them and also the entire community prepare spiritually for the Easter sacraments. Ordinarily this period coincides with Lent when the Scrutinies and Presentations are celebrated.
Ritual Text: In general, the book, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (abbreviated RCIA); in particular, those sections of the RCIA which pertain to the different stages and celebrations of the initiation process.
Scrutinies: Rites celebrated with the elect (usually on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent) in which the Church prays for the spirit of repentance, for strength in the struggle against evil and for freedom in the pursuit of holiness. The presider for the scrutinies must be a priest or deacon.
Sending, Rite of: An optional rite at the end of the Period of Catechumenate during which catechumens are sent forth by the parish community to the Call to the Easter Sacraments. The ritual text also provides adaptations for sending of candidates as well.
Sponsor, parish: A member of the parish community who, through example and presence, accompanies persons seeking full initiation on the journey of conversion and helps the parish to know and welcome them more fully.
Sponsor, sacramental: A fully initiated Catholic who accepts responsibility for supporting the person seeking full communion, through prayer, example, and witness. The sacramental sponsor may or may not be a member of the parish. Normally, a sacramental sponsor must be at least 16 years old.
Triduum: The single celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
Uncatechized: Having little or no formation, systematic or informal, in the practice and teachings of the Catholic faith; lacking familiarity with the spiritual, doctrinal, moral and sacramental basics of Catholic life.
Welcome, Rite of: The rite by which baptized candidates are formally included in the life of the community in preparation for full communion through confirmation and eucharist.
