The Formation Process

Definitions

Here is a list of RCIA definitions. We hope it helps in better understanding the process.

Candidate:

 A person in the catechumenate who has been baptized, either in the Catholic Church or another Christian Church, but has not celebrated Confirmation and/or First Communion.
 

Catechumen:

 A person in the catechumenate who has never been baptized.
 

Elect:

 A catechumen or candidate who will receive the sacraments of initiation quickly.
 

Election:

 A liturgical celebration in which the bishop or one of his priests accepts the catechumen as ready and worthy to participate in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter.
 

Godparent:

 A person selected by the person to be baptized or confirmed to be a friend and helper as s/he learns to become a Catholic.
 

Initiation:

 The process by which a person enters the Church and becomes a member through celebrating Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
 

Inquirer:

 A person who sincerely wants to ask questions and learn about the Catholic faith.
 

Mystagogy refers to the time between Easter and Pentecost when the new Catholics share their faith with others in the community.

 

Neophyte:

 A newly baptized person. The word means a “new shoot”.
 

Rite of Acceptance:

 Marks the first step into the Catholic Church. The inquirers receive the sign of the Cross on the ears, eyes, lips, shoulders, heart, hands, and feet, for they will now join in the joys and trials of the Christian mission.
 

Rite of Election:

 Celebration of God’s call through the Catholic Church to the initiation sacraments celebrated at the Easter Vigil; the rite is used to accept the candidates for the sacraments by the bishop.
 

Sponsor:

 A person chosen by the Catholic Church to be a friend and helper of the person interested in becoming Catholic.