Glossary of Terms
Advent - A period of four weeks prior to Christmas. It has a twofold theme: preparing for the Second Coming of Christ and preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Candidate - One who is already baptized in another Christian faith and who now is preparing to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. At the time of full reception, he or she will make a profession of faith, be confirmed, and receive Eucharist.
Catechumen - One who is not baptized and is preparing for full initiation at the Easter Vigil through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.
Catechumenate - Second period of the order of Christian initiation of adults which involves intense preparation in word, worship, community life, and apostolic works.
Cycle A, B, C - The three year cycle of liturgical readings: A Cycle - Matthew; B Cycle - Mark; C Cycle - Luke. All three cycles incorporate John
Elect - The name given to catechumens who celebrate the Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Lent signifying their being chosen for the initiation sacraments.
Evangelization - The task of the Church during the pre-catechumenate which involves the inviting, the welcoming, the witness, the sharing of faith, and the proclamation of the gospel to inquirers/candidates.
Inquirers - Those who participate in the pre-catechumenate of a parish. . They are "inquiring" into the Christianity in the Catholic Tradition.
Lectionary - The book used in liturgical celebrations that contains all the scripture readings of the liturgical year.
Lent - A six week period extending from Ash Wednesday to sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a retreat time in preparation for the Easter Triduum.
Liturgical Year - The seasons and cycles of the Christian year. It is the instrument and means for leading God's people along the way to the Lord. The readings introduce and invite us into the Paschal Mystery. It includes: Christmas Cycle (the first Sunday of Advent through the Baptism of the Lord), Easter Cycle ( Ash Wednesday through Pentecost), and Ordinary Time.
Mystagogy - The final period of the order of Christian initiation of adults which is from Easter to Pentecost. The National Statutes for implementation in the USA also recommend and extended mystagogy for one year.
Neophyte - One who is initiated at the Easter Vigil. The term comes from the Greek word meaning new plant, as in a new sprout on a limb/branch.
Ordinary Time - The cycle within the liturgical year that is outside the liturgical seasons (Advent, Lent, Easter). This time provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's gift to us in Christ, our attitudes, our prayer life, and our service to others.
Pre-Catechumenate - The first period of the order of Christian initiation of adults which is the initial introduction of an inquirer into the Christian way of life in the Catholic Tradition. It is also the period of evangelization on the part of the Church.
Purification and Enlightenment - This the third period of the order of Christian initiation of adults which usually coincides with the Lenten season. It is the final period of preparation for initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Rite of Acceptance - The bridge between the pre-catechumenate and the catechumenate for the unbaptized.
Rite of Welcoming - The bridge between the inquiry period and the period of pastoral formation that coincides with the catechumenate. It is for those already baptized.
Rite of Election - Presided over by the Bishop, the rite inaugurates the final period of preparation before initiation. It is the bridge between the catechumenate, and purification and enlightenment.
Rite of Call to Continuing Conversion - Coincides with rite of Election, but is the rite for candidates, the already baptized.
Rites of Sacrament of Initiation - Rites usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil which are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
The Triduum - The three days of the celebration of Easter which begins with sundown on Holy Thursday evening and ends with evening prayer on Easter Sunday evening. It includes the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday.
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