A Catechumen specifies a non-baptized person preparing for full membership in the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. Candidates are previously-baptized persons seeking full communion with the Catholic Church through Confirmation and Holy Communion.
Full Answer
What does it mean to be a candidate in the Catholic Church?
Instead, we call him or her a candidate.” By this we mean that this person is a candidate for the catholic Sacrament of Confirmation and a candidate preparing to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church and thus become a full member of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Communion.
What is the catechumenate?
catechumenate: the period of time and the structure within which the catechumens prepare for initiation; “catechumenate” is also used as a synonym for the entire Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults convert: another term for a catechumen; “convert” should never be used to refer to a baptized person who is preparing to become a Catholic;
Can a baptized person be called a catechumen?
A baptized person should not be led automatically through the full catechumenal process or be called a catechumen. Instead, we call him or her a candidate.”
What is an RCIA catechumen?
Catechumen or Candidate? By means of the processes described in the document, R.C.I.A., interested non-baptized persons become Catechumens, and Catechumens become full members of the Catholic Church by means of baptism, confirmation, and eucharist, which are referred to as the Sacraments of Initiation.
What is the role of the Catechumen?
catechumen, a person who receives instruction in the Christian religion in order to be baptized. According to the New Testament, the apostles instructed converts after baptism (Acts 2:41–42), and Christian instruction was evidently given to all converts (Luke 1:4, Acts 18:25, Galatians 6:6).
What does candidate mean in Catholic Church?
Candidacy is a rite which takes place during Roman Catholic seminary formation, by which the Church recognizes the seminarian as worthy of being ordained (hence, they become a "candidate" for ordination to the priesthood).
What is a candidate for RCIA?
A person being sponsored in the RCIA is either a catechumen-an unbaptized 'individual who seeks full initiation into the church to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist-or a previously baptized candidate-who wishes-to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and be Confirmed and receive Holy ...
What is an RCIA Catechumen?
Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
What does Catechumen mean in religion?
Definition of catechumen 1 : a convert to Christianity receiving training in doctrine and discipline before baptism. 2 : one receiving instruction in the basic doctrines of Christianity before admission to communicant membership in a church.
What is the rite of the elect?
Rite of Election and Enrollment of Names Thus the Church makes its “election,” that is, the choice and admission of those catechumens who have the dispositions that make them fit to take part, at the next major celebration, in the sacraments of initiation.
What are the three steps of RCIA?
The four periods and three steps of the RCIA are the Period of Inquiry, first step Rite of Acceptance into Order of Catechumens, Period of Catechumenate, second step Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names, Period of Purification and Enlightenment, third step Celebration of Sacraments of Initiation, Period of ...
Do you have to go through RCIA to become Catholic?
The process includes regular meetings, spiritual reflection and participation in a number of church rites, according to an article on RCIA by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It can take up to a year. Under special circumstances, you can become Catholic without participating in RCIA.
How long does it take to complete RCIA?
This period of inquiry typically lasts 8 weeks but may last several months or several years and ends either when the inquirer feels ready to move forward to the Catechumenate stage, when the community is prepared to welcome him or her, or when he or she decides against continuing in this direction.
What is Mystagogy in the Catholic Church?
Mystagogy ("interpretation of mystery") is the final period of the initiation of adults (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [Study Edition, Chicago 1988] 37). During this period the meaning of the Sacraments is explained to those who have newly received them.
What does Confirmandi mean?
confirmand (-mand) noun. a person who receives religious confirmation or is a candidate for it.
What does RCA stand for in the Catholic Church?
Reformed Church in AmericaMembers138,438 communicants (2016), 194,064 total (2019)Official websitewww.rca.orgwww.faithward.orgLogo11 more rows
What is the catechumenate?
catechumenate: the period of time and the structure within which the catechumens prepare for initiation; “catechumenate” is also used as a synonym for the entire Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. convert: another term for a catechumen; “convert” should never be used to refer to a baptized person who is preparing to become a Catholic;
What does the Greek word "cantor" mean?
cantor: one who leads the assembly in song. catechesis: Greek, meaning “sounding down” or “re-echoing down to another”; a way of communicating faith. catechumen: Greek, meaning “one in whom word echoes”; one who celebrated the Rite of Acceptance; an unbaptized person who is preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil. ...
What is the official liturgical book from which the reader (lector) proclaims the Scripture readings used in
lectionary: the official, liturgical book from which the reader (lector) proclaims the Scripture readings used in the Liturgy of the Word. liturgy: a set structure of prayers, readings, songs, and symbolic actions that is celebrated by a group of people together.