BECOMING
A CATHOLIC
| How does a person become a Catholic? | Steps in the Process |
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| What is a neophyte? | |
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HOW DOES A PERSON BECOME A CATHOLIC?
There are several ways. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person’s needs. In general, though, people who are “becoming Catholic” fall into one of three categories:
Some people, born into a Catholic family and community, receive baptism while still children. They grow up in Catholic homes, receive formal religious education and gradually come to share in the full sacramental life of the church.
Others were baptized in another Christian tradition, and now they are considering making their home in the Catholic Church. These individuals may or may not have had religious training in the Christian faith. Some may have been baptized as Catholics, yet were not reared in the faith or completed their Christian initiation (Confirmation and Eucharist)
Yet others have not been baptized. They may be encountering the Gospel for the first time. In addition to wanting to know the teachings of the Faith, they want to see what living the Faith and being part of the Church is all about.
For those who were never baptized, the Church offers the opportunity to become acquainted with the Faith, the Church and Christian life. This process, known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), is also adapted to the needs of Christians from other traditions who are considering entering the Catholic Church. Those who were previously baptized in other Christian traditions (Lutheran, Methodist, etc.) – become Catholics after making a solemn profession of faith, receiving Confirmation and sharing Eucharist with the Catholic community.
While Easter is the high point of one's journey, it is only a beginning and a signpost of the road ahead. This is formally recognized in that those who were received into the Church are asked to participate in one last stage of formation during the fifty days following Easter and leading up to Pentecost. This is a chance to reflect upon what one has taken on and to settle into one's new home in the Church community. New Church members are also reminded that the initiation process is just the beginning of a life-long journey of conversion.
Through the various rites or ceremonies of the catechumenate, the church marks a persons journey toward full membership. These rites reflect a person’s spiritual growth and the community’s loving concern.
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Although programs of initiation vary from place to place, in general the process involves several aspects: a stage of inquiry or period of evangelization; a stage for those who have decided to ask for baptism (the catechumenate); and a stage of more intense preparation for entrance into the church (during Lent).
People
move from one stage to the next if and when they are ready. Here
at St. Basil’s, persons involved in the process of Christian Initiation
gather weekly for input, prayer and discussion, join in Sunday Mass,
and have several opportunities for retreats and evenings of reflection.
They are also gradually introduced to the outreach programs in the
parish. The normal time of inquiry begins when a person presents
him/herself to a parish staff member and begins a series of informal
conversations. Formal inquiry begins in the fall (mid-September)
and goes on for as long as an individual needs.
For those who are ready, the next step the RITE OF ACCEPTANCE begins the period of the catechumenate (basic teachings about Catholicism) in late November through February or March. The Lenten preparation (about 6 weeks) begins with the RITE OF ELECTION where the church officially declares the readiness of the candidates to be received into the church at the EASTER VIGIL, on the evening of Holy Saturday. Following Easter, a period of about 50 days called “Mystagogy” are provided for the newly received to reflect back on the meaning of their baptism or their reception of the Eucharist and Confirmation.
The
process of spiritual renewal should not be hasty, especially for
those who are not accustomed to the fasts and feasts, Sundays and
seasons of the church year the way Catholics observe them. Spiritual
growth is a very individual matter; thus, each candidate meets with
his or her “spiritual director” –one of the priests, deacon or RCIA
Director, as well as with their sponsor or parish companion –periodically
to assess their growth in prayer and readiness to continue their
journey.
WHAT IS THE R.C.I.A.?
R.C.I.A. is an acronym commonly used for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the name given to the entire catechumenate or the process from inquiry to the celebration of the Initiation Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. (See catechumenate).
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?
People involved in the process include coordinators,
catechists, spiritual directors, and of course the candidates themselves
and their sponsors and/or
parish companions. They learn from each other and over the course
of the year form a close community.
The purpose of any process of Christian Initiation is to allow people the opportunity to deepen their encounter with Christ and the Catholic community. More is involved than merely learning a creed. In this process, candidates are invited to share in the beliefs, life, liturgy and works of service of the church. In this way, the entire parish community is involved in the process by their witness and activity as well as their welcoming stature towards the prospective new members.
The normal time for persons seeking baptism to receive this sacrament is at the Easter Vigil. Christians from other faith traditions seeking entrance into the Catholic Church are invited to full communion at this time as well. However, in certain circumstances, these Christians may make their profession of faith in the Catholic Church at another time.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?
Anyone who is seriously thinking about becoming a Catholic Christian or would simply like more information can contact Fr. Walt Jenne (our pastor) or Deacon Dave Pecot. All can be reached at the Parish Office at 440-526-1686 or via email by clicking on their name above.
WHO IS AN INQUIRER?
An
inquirer may be any person who desires to know more about the Catholic
faith. They may begin this inquiry through informal discussions
with a member of the parish staff, a friend or relative who is Catholic,
or through reading Catholic literature. Or, they may begin by attending
a RCIA Information Night or by coming to the inquiry classes, which
begin each September. Inquirers are under no obligation to become
Catholic, and their period of inquiry may take as long as they need.
WHAT IS CONVERSION?
“Convert”
is a term that normally was used to describe a person who had become
a Catholic after practicing another religious tradition. Although
that term is not used as much anymore, the term “conversion” is
often used to describe the process that each of us undergoes in
changing our hearts, minds and spirits in order to deepen our relationship
with God in some way. Personal growth in faith is the result of
answering the call to continuing conversion.
WHO IS A SPONSOR?
A
sponsor is a practicing Catholic chosen to be an official witness
at a person’s baptism (otherwise known as a “godparent”), or an
official witness at one’s Confirmation. The term “sponsor” is sometimes
used for a parish companion, or that person chosen, either by the
candidate or by the team for the candidate, to walk with and guide
the candidate on their spiritual journey. Sometimes the godparent/sponsor
is the same person as the parish companion. In other circumstances
(e.g., if the chosen godparent lives at a distance), the parish
companion accompanies the candidate in place of the sponsor. Sponsors/companions,
who are chosen at the beginning of the catechumenate period, are
expected to be active participants in the catechumenate process.
WHAT IS A CATECHUMEN?
A CATECHUMEN is one who has never been baptized and who has affirmed that they wish to become a Catholic. Such a person is called a catechumen after the Rite of Acceptance during the period of the catechumenate. Catechumens, by virtue of their acceptance, are considered members of the Catholic Church, yet not full members. They have the right to be married in the church and buried with a Catholic funeral. They also have an obligation to continue to prepare dutifully for their baptism and full initiation into the church.
WHO ARE CANDIDATES?
Candidates are those persons who have been baptized in another Christian tradition (e.g., Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, etc.) and who now wish to become Roman Catholic. After the initial period of inquiry, these individuals are called “candidates” after the Rite of Welcome during the period of the catechumenate and until they profess their faith, are confirmed in the Catholic Church and receive the Eucharist for the first time. The term “candidate” can also refer to baptized Catholics who are preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist.
WHAT IS THE CATECHUMENATE?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, often called the catechumenate, is a process of faith development and religious instruction which culminates in full membership in the Roman Catholic community of Christians. This includes the reception of the “sacraments of initiation” –baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
This
faith journey is similar to the one people made when joining the
early church communities in the first centuries of Christianity.
Today’s revised process –promulgated in the church in 1972 and in
the Cleveland Diocese in 1987, calls on the entire parish community
for involvement and parish support.
The catechumenate provides a structure for the proclamation of the gospel: catechesis (passing on the of the church’s teachings); public and private prayer; spiritual direction; the observance of feasts, fasts, Sundays and seasons of the church calendar year; direct contact with members of the parish community; and participation in the work of the church for justice and peace.
During this time, each catechumen or candidate is paired with a sponsor who can serve as a spiritual companion and offer support and encouragement.
WHO ARE THE “ELECT”?
When catechumens take part in the Rite of Election, usually on the First Sunday of Lent, the bishop officially proclaims as “elect” those who are deemed ready to be baptized and fully initiated at the next Easter Vigil. The elect enter into the period of Purification and Enlightenment, the 6 weeks of Lent, as one of more intense spiritual preparation for the Sacraments.
WHAT IS A NEOPHYTE?
The
term “neophyte” comes from the Greek meaning “newly planted”, and
refers specifically to the newly baptized. At times, the term is
used to include all those who have recently been initiated fully
into the church. Neophytes remain so for a year following their
initiation.
Steps in the Process
THE STEPS OR “RITES” OF THE PROCESS
Through
the various rites or ceremonies of the catechumenate, the church
marks a person’s journey toward full membership. These rites reflect
a person’s spiritual growth and the community’s loving concern.
The preparation time between each of the rites.
STAGE 1: INQUIRY
The
first part of a candidate's journey is called the stage of Inquiry.
Sometimes called the “pre-catechumenate” or period of evangelization,
it is a time for raising questions and for reflecting on one's journey
in life. The Inquirer meets individually with members of the formation
team, as well as other inquirers and team members in a group. Wednesday
sessions are informal, with life stories shared and curiosities
about “things Catholic” answered. When a decision to continue in
the process is made, inquirers obtain sponsors or godparents to
mentor them along the way. Then, the Rite of Acceptance into the
Order of Catechumens is celebrated within the community’s Sunday
Mass.
STAGE 2: THE CATECHUMENATE
In
mid-November, inquirers who have never been baptized and have made
the decision to enter the Church become catechumens. The baptized
who have decided to pursue becoming Catholic, along with those baptized
Catholics who wish to complete their initiation are called candidates.
The catechumens and candidates are then called upon to reflect on
their own lives in light of the Gospel, and they are given a sponsor.
Sponsors play a vital role. They are members of the Church who offer
to accompany the catechumens on their journey of faith. With them
they share their own experience, questions, and faith life. There
will be weekly gatherings for prayer, presentations, and frank discussion.
Wednesday sessions will be more instructional with an emphasis on
learning specifics of the Catholic faith, especially the Mass and
sacraments. Catechumens and candidates will be invited to worship
on Sunday with the faith community at St. Basil. They will be introduced
to the Liturgy of the Word, and will be invited to “break open”
that Word after the homily at each Mass.
STAGE 3: PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
For
catechumens and candidates who are ready, Lent inaugurates an intense
period of preparation known as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment.
On the first Sunday of Lent, the catechumens join others from around
the Cleveland Diocese for a special liturgy at the Cleveland convention
Center with Bishop Pilla. Through this ceremony, called the RITE
OF ELECTION AND CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION, the Church reaches
out to welcome the catechumens as they intensify their journey.
Lent finds its origins in the tradition of the early Church when
all members of the community would join with the catechumens in
rededicating their lives to Christ. For the catechumens, or the
elect as they are now called, Lent is a time to deepen one's practice
of prayer, sacrifice, and works of service as a prelude to the life
one desires to take on. Besides the weekly gatherings for discussion
and prayer, this period of preparation will be marked by special
ceremonies and an all-day retreat.
Easter is the high point in one's journey of faith. At the Easter Vigil celebrating the Lord's death and resurrection, the elect are baptized and confirmed, and share for the first time in the Eucharist. Those baptized in other Christian communities are received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
STAGE 4: POST-EASTER REFLECTION OR “MYSTAGOGY”
While
Easter is the high point of one's journey, it is only a beginning
and a sign post of the road ahead. This is formally recognized in
that those who were received into the Church are asked to participate
in one last stage of formation during the fifty days following Easter
and leading up to Pentecost. This is a chance to reflect upon what
one has taken on and to settle into one's new home in the Church
community. New church members, or “neophytes” are also reminded
that the initiation process is just the beginning of a life-long
journey of conversion. The four or five weeks between Easter and
Pentecost concentrate on helping the neophytes learn practical ways
of carrying out their commitment in specific church ministries.
RCIA Information
Anyone in the community who is interested in learning more about membership in the Catholic Church is welcome to contact the Parish Office, so that you may be put in touch with the correct Staff member. Spouses or other companions are most welcome to accompany an inquirer.
Saint Basil the Great