PERIOD OF EVANGELIZATION

This is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to gospel values, and opportunity for the beginnings of faith.  This period occurs from September to the first Sunday of Advent, the topics discussed during this period include:

Journey of Faith

 What do Catholics Believe?

What is the Meaning of the Mass?

The Bible

 How Catholics interpret the Bible

The Saints

Mary

Places in the Catholic Church

Who’s Who in the Church

Catholics and Prayer (including the Chuch's Liturgical Cycle

Catholic Practices

Catholics and Church

Preparation for the Rite of Acceptance

The Rite of Acceptance

FIRST STEP: ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORDER OF CATECHUMENS

This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the first Sunday of Advent, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the way of Christ.

PERIOD OF THE CATECHUMENATE

This is the time, in duration corresponding to the progress of the individual, for the nurturing and growth of the catechumens’ faith and conversion to God; celebrations of the word and prayers of exorcism and blessing are meant to assist the process. This period occurs from the first Sunday in Advent to the first Sunday of Lent, the topics discussed during this period include:

An Introduction to the Sacraments

The Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament of Confirmation

The Eucharist

The Sacrament of Penance

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of Holy Order

The Sacrament of Marriage

People of God

Who is Jesus Christ?

The Early Church

The History of the Church

Christian Moral Living

Social Justice

The Consistent of Ethic

The Dignity of Life

SECOND STEP: ELECTION (OR ENROLLMENT OF NAMES OF THE ELECT)

This is the liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens’ readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments.

PERIOD OF PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT

This is immediately preceding the elect’ initiation, usually the Lenten season preceding the celebration of this initiation at the Easter Vigil; it is a time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinizes and presentation and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.  This period occurs from the first Sunday in Lent until the Easter Vigil, the topics discussed during this period include:

What is Lent?

Saying Yes to Jesus

Take a Look: The Scrutinies

The Nicene Creed

The Presentation of the Creed

The Way of the Cross

The Lord’s Prayer

The Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer

The Meaning of Holy Week

THIRD STEP: CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

This is the liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter Vigil, by which the elect are initiated through baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.

PERIOD OF POSTBAPTISMAL CATECHISIS OR MYSTAGOGY

This is the time, usually the Easter season, following the celebration of initiation, during which the newly initiated experience being fully a part of the Christian community by means of both pertinent catechesis and particularly by participation with all the faithful in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration.  During this period, topics discussed include:

Conversion: A Lifelong Process

The Laity: Called to Build God’s Kingdom

Your Special Gifts

Family Life

Your Prayer Life

Discernment

Holiness

Evangelization