CATECHUMENATE

The Catechumenate is the extended period during which individuals who plan to join the Church receive pastoral formation and guidance to train them for the Christian life. Guidelines for this process are found in the book Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

        Our procedure consists of what we call Inclusive Catechesis.  One third of the meeting time with catechumens and candidates is spent discussing the scripture readings of the previous or coming Sunday.  Two thirds of the time is spent presenting talks on doctrinal topics. As far as possible, we try to match the doctrinal topics with the theme of the scripture readings. Talks which do not match Sunday scripture themes are presented in a logical sequence. A schedule to accomplish this is prepared at the beginning of each catechetical year. This website provides materials for preparing doctrinal talks, and it also provides scripture background information.

         During the catechumenate the spiritual life is nourished in four ways: a) by a suitable catechesis as explained above, b) by prayer, c) by attendance at Mass and liturgical rites, and d) by spreading the Gospel and giving witness through  lives of virtue.  Our website provides aids mainly for the first aspect of the catechumenate, and it is important not to neglect the other three components of a sound formation in the Christian life.  True Christians must not only know their faith, they must also live it through love of God and love of neighbor.