Glossary of Terms
Catechumen: One who is not baptized and is preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil through baptism, confirmation and eucharist.
Candidate: One who is already baptized either in the Catholic Church or another Christian faith and who is preparing to complete his/her Christian initiation through confirmation and eucharist.
Catechumentate: Second period of the order of Christian initiation of adults which involves intense preparation in word, worship, community life and apostolic works.
Elect: The name given to the catechumens who celebrate the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent with the bishop, signifying their being chosen for the initiation sacraments at Easter.
Godparent: The Godparent serves as companion for the Christian life for the elect. The Godparent helps the elect integrate into the Catholic community by offering ongoing support, care and the sharing of faith.
Sponsor: A sponsor accompanies any catechumen or candidate through the catechumenate period. Sponsors are persons who get to know their catechumens or candidates and can stand as witnesses to the catechumens’ or candidates’ moral character, faith and intention.
Rite of Election: This is the rite that is celebrated by the bishop, which proclaims the catechumens ready for their celebration of the sacraments of initiation at Easter. This is celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent.
Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion: This is the rite that proclaims the candidates ready for their completion of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
Table for Understanding the RCIA
Period | Name of Person | Aim | Content | Time | Begins with this Rite |
Inquiry | Inquirers | Awakening faith | Time to build trust, to share personal stories, questions, time to proclaim the message of salvation, foster initial conversion. | Unlimited | No specific rites suggested. |
Catechumenate | Catechumens(unbaptized) | Deepening initial conversion and passing on Catholic tradition | Time to deepen faith / conversion within the living community through:Liturgy of the Word- Catechesis, Prayer and Worship, the Life of the Community, Introduction to apostolic life. | One to a few years | Rite of Acceptance(Catechumen)Rite of Welcome(Candidate) |
Purification and Enlightenment | Elect(unbaptized)Candidates(baptized) | Eliminate what is weak and sinful; affirm what is holy | Time for recollectionLenten retreat experienceFinal preparation for the sacraments of initiation | Lent | Rite of Election (Catechumen)Rite of Call To Continuing Conversion(Candidate) |
Mystagogy | Neophytes | Celebration of faith, Ministries and missioning | Deepening of sacramental life with ongoing formation with emphasis on Gospel, Eucharist and Mission | Paschal Time | Celebration of Sacraments of Initiation (Easter Vigil) |
