Glossary
of Terms
Candidate One who is already bap zed in another Chris an Faith and who
now is preparing to be received into the full communion of the
Catholic Church. At the me of full recep on, he or she will
make a profession of faith, be con rmed, and receive Eucharist.
Catechesis The instruc on and spiritual forma on of members of the
Catholic Church.
Catechumen An unbap zed person who has been accepted into the order of
catechumens, seeking formal entry into the church at the
Easter Vigil through bap sm, con rma on, and Eucharist
Catechumenate Second period of the order of Chris an ini a on of adults
which involves intense prepara on in word, worship,
community life and Apostolic works.
Elect The name given to catechumens who celebrate the Rite of
Elec on on the rst Sunday of Lent signifying their being
chosen for the ini a on sacraments
Enlightenment The period of Lent when the elect are involved in the nal stage
of prepara on for celebra ng the ini a on rites (synonym:
illumina on).
Enrollment The rite of inscribing into the Book of the Elect the names of
those catechumens elected to take part in the next celebra on
of the sacraments of ini a on.
Ephphetha The rite in which the presider touches the ears and the mouth
of the elect and prays that they be open to hear and proclaim
the word of God in faith.
Exorcisms Prayers said over the elect during the Scru nies that they be
delivered from the powers of evil and falsehood and receive
the gi of strengthening.
Ini a on The process by which a person enters the faith life of the
church—from the person's inquiry, through the
catechumenate, elec on rites and the celebra on of bap sm,
con rma on, and Eucharist, un l the comple on of Mystagogy.
Inquirers Persons who sincerely seek to learn about the faith of the
church. They are “inquiring” into Chris anity in the Catholic
tradi on.
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Lent The liturgical season of forty days that begins with Ash
Wednesday and ends with the celebra on of the Paschal
Mystery (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary peniten al
season in the Church's liturgical year, re ec ng the forty days
Jesus spent in the desert in fas ng and prayer
Minor Rites Rites during the period of the catechumenate, which include
exorcisms, blessings, and anoin ngs.
Mystagogy Final period of the order of Chris an ini a on of adults which is
from Easter to Pentecost. It centers on postbap smal
catechesis, that is, on the meaning and experience of the
mysteries of bap smal faith.
Neophyte One who was ini ated at the Easter Vigil. The term comes from
the Greek word meaning new plant, as in a new sprout on a
limb/branch
Oil of the Catechumens The oil blessed by local bishop to be used in anoin ng
catechumens at important mes during the process of
ini a on; its use symbolizes the catechumens’ need and God's
o er of strength in overcoming all opposi on to the faith they
will profess throughout their life.
Precatechumenate The period of inquiry prior to acceptance into the order of
catechumens; a me of ini al evangeliza on
Presenta ons The rites during the Period of Puri ca on and Enlightenment
through which the church passes on to the elect, the Creed and
the Lord's prayer, the most cherished documents of the church
and the tradi ons they represent.
Puri ca on and This is the third period of the order of Chris an ini a on of
Enlightenment adults which normally falls in Lent and begins with the Rite of
Elec on, when the elect and local community give themselves
to discipline of spiritual prepara on for Easter and the
sacraments of ini a on.
RCIA Acronym for Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults.
Rite A religious or other solemn ceremony or act.
Rite of Acceptance into the The bridge between the precatechumenate and the
order of Catechumens catechumenate for the unbap zed.
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Rite of Call to Con nuing Coincides with the elec on but is the right for the already
Conversion bap zed.
Rite of Elec on Presided over by the bishop, the rite inaugurates the nal
period of prepara on before ini a on. It is the bridge between
the catechumenate and puri ca on and enlightenment.
Rite of Sacraments of Usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil; includes bap sm,
Ini a on con rma on, and Eucharist.
Rite of Welcome The bridge between the inquiry period and the period of
pastoral forma on that coincides with the catechumenate. It is
for those already bap zed.
Scru nies Rites celebrated by the priest or deacon with the elect (usually
on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent) pe oning for the
spirit of repentance, an understanding of sin and the
experience of the true freedom of the children of God.
Sponsors Those persons chosen to accompany the inquirers when they
seek acceptance into the order of catechumens and remain
with them as companions during the catechumenate un l the
rite of elec on, they may also be selected as godparents.
Triduum The “three days” of the celebra on of Easter which begins with
sundown on Holy Thursday evening and ends with evening
prayer on Easter Sunday evening. Includes the liturgies of Holy
Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday.
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