In this rite, those who have never been baptized state their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ. The Church, in turn, accepts them into the Order of Catechumens (a Greek word meaning 'hearers'). "From this time on, the Church embraces the catechumens as its own, with a mother's love and concern. Joined to the Church, the catechumens are now part of the household of Christ, since the Church nourishes them with the word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations" (OCIA, 47).
As this rite begins, those who wish to enter the order of catechumens are received at the doors of the Church. An ancient dialogue follows. The priest, representing the entire Church, asks, "What do you ask of God's Church?" They respond: "Faith." "What does faith offer you?" "Eternal life." At the heart of this rite is the signing of the senses of the catechumens with the cross. Their forehead, ears, eyes, lips, heart, shoulders, hands, and feet are all marked with the sign of the Cross.
RITE of ELECTION
After long months of formation and preparation, as the season of Lent begins, the catechumens gather together with the catechumens, pastors, and OCIA teams of many other parishes. During this rite, the catechumens formally declare their wish to enter fully into the life of the Church through baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation and write their names in the Book of the Elect.
On the basis of the testimony of sponsors and catechists, the Archbishop, representing the entire Church, admits the catechumens to the Easter sacraments of initiation: "I now declare you to be members of the Elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the next Easter Vigil. Now it is your duty, as it is ours, to be faithful to God and to strive courageously to reach the fullness of truth which your election opens up before you."
SCRUTINIES
Celebrated on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, the Scrutinies are intended to deliver the Elect from the power of sin, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Through prayers and ritual action, the Elect acknowledge their faults.
From one of the Scrutiny prayers: "Father of mercies... look with love on these Elect and fulfill their hopes; they have already experienced temptation and they acknowledge their faults. Lead them from darkness into your unfailing light, cleanse them from sin, let them know the joy of your peace, and guide them safely through life."
The SACRAMENTS of INITIATION
At the Easter Vigil, the Elect receive the sacraments of initiation--baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation. By baptism, they are received into the royal priesthood of believers. In confirmation, they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and share in the outpouring of grace that came upon the apostles at Pentecost. Through the Eucharist, they share for the first time in the body and blood of Christ, the heavenly food that strengthens us to carry out Christ's work in our own time and place. For our Elect, the sacraments of initiation are not the end, but the beginning of new lives of faith and service.
RITES For THOSE BAPTIZED In OTHER CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS
RITE of WELCOMING
This rite welcomes those baptized in other Christian traditions who are seeking to complete their Christian initiation through the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation--in other words, to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. The rite acknowledges that the candidates are already members of the Christian community through baptism. Now the Church surrounds them with special care and support as they prepare to be sealed with the gift of the Spirit in confirmation and take their place at the banquet table of Christ's sacrifice. "Father of mercy, we thank you for these your servants. You have already consecrated them in baptism and now you call them to the fullness of the Church's sacramental life: we praise you Lord, and we bless you."
RITE of RECEPTION into FULL COMMUNION
After careful preparation and prayer, the candidates are received into the full communion of the Catholic Church at the Sunday Mass, surrounded by the parish community. They make a solemn profession of faith. Then the priest, in the name of the entire Church, says to each one, "The Lord receives you into the Catholic Church. His loving kindness has led you here so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have professed in the presence of His family." At this time they are confirmed and then share in the Eucharist for the first time.
FORMS
DISCERNMENT FORM For The RITE Of ACCEPTANCE And WELCOMING To The CATHOLIC COMMUNITY When a person feels that his or her inquiry needs have been met, the person enters into a dialogue with the sponsor and a one-on-one interview with a team member to discern that it is the right time to move to the next stage in the process. If it’s determined that the individual is ready, the transition is celebrated ritually by the whole community. Once completed, the individual has the right to pray and discern with other Catholics, to have a Catholic funeral, and to blessings and other sacramentals. The obligations undertaken are moral (not legal): to join the community in prayer and service and to take part in the instructional process to the best of his or her ability.
DISCERNMENT FORM For The RITE Of RECEPTION Into FULL COMMUNION With The CATHOLIC CHURCH When the candidate has completed the period of instruction and feels ready to move to the next stage, the candidate must: have an interview with a team member, complete a period of purification, and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation.