Catechumens are people who have never been baptized and are now preparing to be baptized, confirmed and welcomed to the Lord’s table at the Easter Vigil through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (commonly called the RCIA). Often there are others who have already been baptized and who now desire to become fully initiated members of the Catholic church. They, too, undergo a period of formation based on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; they are called candidates because they are discerning a call to complete their initiation.
Like those whom we welcome into our own families through marriage or adoption, the candidates bring with them a wide variety of experiences and traditions. Some of them may have been baptized in another faith tradition; they now wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic church. Normally they are confirmed and receive their first communion at the time of their reception. (In the past, these candidates were often referred to as “converts,” but that term is not appropriate if they were previously baptized. Baptism is the sacrament of conversion. Suggesting that people baptized in other Christian traditions are not already “converted” to Christ is false and uncharitable.)
Other candidates may have been baptized Catholic, usually as infants, but received no further formation in the Catholic faith. They, too, are preparing for confirmation and first communion.
The length of the preparation period varies depending on the background and spiritual needs of the individual. Those who have taken an active role in their church in the past may need a relatively short period of preparation. Others may need a more extended period of formation and catechesis, similar to that of the catechumens. In both cases, active participation in the Sunday liturgy, prayerful reading of the scriptures and an increasing awareness of the church’s teachings and mission are the primary means of preparation.
At the end of this period of preparation, those candidates who were baptized in another tradition are welcomed into the Catholic church through a simple act of reception. All the candidates are then confirmed and welcomed to the Lord’s table for the first time. This celebration may happen on any appropriate Sunday during the year.
The newly confirmed now take their place in the assembly and continue to do what Christians have done throughout the ages: offer thanks and praise to God and spread the good news of God’s love and reconciliation.
Copyright © 1997 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800.