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| How does a person become a Catholic? | Steps in the Process |
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| What is a neophyte? | |
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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.
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.
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RCIA Team members plan instructional sessions, prayer experiences and rites to mark the stages of the process for candidates. Click on our photographer to see a picture of one of our RCIA planning teams. |
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.
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).
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.
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Click on our photographer to see a picture of recent picture of Parish Companions and Sponsors guiding their candidates on their spiritual journey through their prayers, friendship and support. |
Anyone who is seriously thinking about becoming a Catholic Christian or would simply like more information can contact Fr. Walt Jenne (our pastor), Deacon Dave Pecot or Sister Susan Imburgia (the RCIA Coordinator). All can be reached at the Parish Office at 440-526-1686 or via email by clicking on their name above.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The Catechumenate period combines learning and spiritual growth in an atmosphere of support and encouragement. Click on our photographer to see such studies in action. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anyone in the community who is interested in learning more about membership in the Catholic Church is welcome to attend this informal but informative evening. Spouses or other companions are most welcome to accompany an inquirer.
Members of the pastoral staff and RCIA Team as well as recent participants in RCIA will be on hand to explain and answer any questions about the RCIA process here at St. Basil's.
Regular sessions will begin on September 8, 2004. Call Sr. Susan to register or for more information (440-526-1686).
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