From Fr. Fran:

     Last week I mentioned how Lent began as a time of intense preparation for the catechumens and then was adopted by all the faithful.  Maybe it would be good to talk a bit about who the “catechumens” are and why they are so important to the growth of the Church throughout the centuries.
     Catechumens are simply those adults (and children over the age of seven) who, after a period of discernment, believe God is calling them to become Catholic Christians.  These are folks who were not baptized into any religious tradition or come from another faith background such as Judaism.  In a different time these folks would be known as potential “converts”.
      At some point in the beginning stages of their journey toward baptism they experience a Rite of Welcoming and “officially” begin their journey as catechumens.  This journey usually takes them through a few years of getting to know the scriptures, rituals and theology of the church.  They celebrate with the community on Sundays but do not participate in the entire Mass.  They listen to the Liturgy of the Word and are then “dismissed” from Mass, not to go home but to go with their sponsors and catechists to break open the Word of God which they have just experienced.  Also they participate in the day to day life of the parish as we all do and usually gather again during the week for a faith formation session.
     Each year on the First Sunday in Lent, those catechumens in the last months before their baptism move into an intense period of preparation.  They are sent forth from their individual parishes to their local cathedral where the local bishop presides over their Rite of Election.  At this ceremony there is a powerful moment when the bishop calls each one forward and they are asked to write their names in the diocesan Book of the Elect. No longer catechumens but “the elect” they spend the next six weeks preparing for their baptism which will occur at the Easter Vigil. 
     At Mass during those weeks the Elect experience three important rites during a weekly Sunday Mass. These are called the Scrutinies.  The gospels on these three Sundays are always three powerful healing and conversion stories from St. John’s Gospel, namely, The Samaritan Woman at the Well, The Man Born Blind, and the raising of Lazarus.  Each of the Scrutinies contains prayers that correspond to the conversion and healing proclaimed in the gospels.
     The Elect then share in the liturgies of the Easter Triduum and are baptized at the Easter Vigil.  If you have ever witnessed this moment you know how powerful and moving it is!  It is amazing to think that throughout the world on this most holy night thousands of people are becoming Catholic Christians through water and chrism and the power of the Holy Spirit all witnessed by thousands of parish communities.
     After their baptism and throughout the Easter season the newly baptized, now called “neophytes” have a special place of honor in the assembly.  They continue to meet with their catechists to reflect on all that has happened to them. 
     Also during the Easter Season, those who have been baptized into other Christian denominations and desire to become Catholics come forward after their period of discernment and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Since they already have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit, the Catholic community doesn’t re-baptize them.  (Our Catholic Tradition recognizes baptism by any Christian denomination that uses the Trinitarian formula.)
     There is yet another group of folks who have a special celebration during the Easter Season.  These are baptized Catholics who as adults have yet to complete their Catholic initiation with the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.  They too have been prayerfully discerning God’s call and have prepared to be fully initiated into the Church.
     In our parish this year we will celebrate with Hilary Kushi who will be confirmed and share in the Eucharist for the first time at a Mass during the Easter Season.  Our prayers are with her and her family as she moves toward this important moment in her faith journey.
     So there you have it.  Gone are the days when a “convert” came to the rectory on a Saturday afternoon and was baptized only months or weeks from their initial inquiry into the Catholic faith.  As you can see the road toward Baptism is a gradual one of prayer, study, community, and conversion.  It is an incredible journey and we continue to share in it long after our own Baptism.  Just like the catechumens and candidates we are always in need of conversion. There is always more God wants to show us.  May we walk closely this Lent with all those throughout the Catholic world who will come to know Christ this Easter Season in the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.