The Period of Inquiry is a time to become acquainted with the Catholic Church and to hear the good news of salvation from Jesus Christ, our Savior. It is a time to look within one’s life story and see connections to our needs for the Gospel. This reflective process becomes a continuing, ongoing method during the entire journey. During this reflective process, one should ask questions, discern, and learn about a life of faith in Christ and the Catholic Church.
During this period, some may decide that this is not the right time for them to consider membership in the Catholic Church. It is entirely up to the individual’s free will, and no pressure will be exerted against this decision.
The Period of Catechumenate embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership. To enter into this phase, one should already have come to faith in Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior and sincerely desire to become members of the Catholic Church. The catechumens now gather with the Catholic community on Sunday’s for Liturgy of the Word.
During this period, the initial conversion is deepened and appropriated more deeply into the lives of the catechumens.
The Period of Purification & Illumination corresponds to the Catholic Church’s time as “Lent,” which is the six weeks of preparation before Easter. This period becomes a prayerful time for catechumens, who are now known as the “Elect,” as they prepare for the moment they enter into Full Communion with the Catholic Church in the Sacraments of Initiation. This period is begun with the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. By this rite, they are accepted as candidates for the sacraments, representing that this decision is not theirs alone.
Throughout Lent, special prayers are offered at Sunday Masses for the elect and candidates – these are called “scrutinies.” These prayers are for strengthening grace and virtue, purification from all past evil, and any bonds that hinder them from experiencing God’s love. Throughout this period, the elect is invited to join with the whole Church in a deeper practice of charity works and the practice of fasting.
The Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, an extended night watch of prayer, singing, and hearing God’s Word in anticipation of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
Through the waters of baptism, a person passes into the new life of grace and becomes a member of the Body of Christ. By anointing the person with the Sacred Chrism, one is sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit and is then called to full participation at the Eucharistic Table, which marks full membership in the Catholic Church.
The Period of Mystagogy lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter Season at Pentecost. At the end of mystagogy, one reaches the end of the Rites of Christian Initiation. Those who have just shared in the Sacraments of Initiation are now called “neophytes,” and during this period of Easter joy, they reflect on what they have just gone through and look to the future as to how they can now share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation and life to the whole world. This time period reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and look for new ways to live the life of grace personally and together. This final period reminds the neophytes that the initiation process is just that: initiation, not graduation, which means a commitment to a lifelong journey of conversion.