What are the six steps before being baptized at Easter

What are the six steps before being baptized at Easter

It is often after a meeting, a reading or an experience of prayer that the desire for baptism is born. It is a free and personal commitment, but one that is prepared and lived in community.

How to request baptism as an adult?

  • The request is made to your parish, or after Sunday mass to the priest.
  • From the age of 12, the liturgical stages are the same for everyone, even if the preparation is often adapted to the age.
  • Preparation lasts several monthsthe time necessary for the maturation of faith and integration into a community.
  • The candidate, called a “catechumen”, is accompanied by a dedicated team and guide. This period of formation in five stages is punctuated by specific liturgical celebrations.

The term “catechumen” comes from the Latin catechumenus and Greek katêkhoumenos which means “to ring in the ears”, hence “to instruct orally” the catechism of the Catholic Church.

1 – The pre-catechumenate

It is a time of discernment of the candidate's intentions, where he discovers the call to conversion to Christ and decides to follow him.

2 – Entry into catechumenate (-3 years; -2 years)

It is the first of the celebrations which punctuate the journey towards baptism. It begins with a rite of entry into the Christian community: the catechumen knocks on the door of the church, then, after a welcoming dialogue, the celebrant marks him with the sign of the cross. The candidate is then invited to take a seat in the assembly. He is given the book of the Gospel. During the following months (the “catechesis” period), the future baptized person is welcomed into a team that answers their questions. It is also supported spiritually through anointing rites, blessings, and participation in Sunday celebrations.

3- The decisive call by the bishop (J -41)

It is the first of the celebrations which punctuate the journey towards baptism. It begins with a rite of entry into the Christian community: the catechumen knocks on the door of the church, then, after a welcoming dialogue, the celebrant marks him with the sign of the cross. The candidate is then invited to take a seat in the assembly. He is given the book of the Gospel. During the following months (the “catechesis” period), the future baptized person is welcomed into a team that answers their questions. It is also supported spiritually through anointing rites, blessings, and participation in Sunday celebrations.

4- The “ballots” (D -28; D -21; D -14)

After the decisive call, the catechumen participates in three consecutive celebrations, the “ballots”. This time of purification is intended to allow God, by “scrutinizing” the heart of the future baptized, to reveal “what is weak, what is sick, what is bad in order to heal him, and what is there is good, good and holy, to strengthen it. » The called proclaim the Apostles’ Creed (“I believe in God”) and the Our Father.

5- The final stage (D -1)

On the morning of Holy Saturday, the catechumen repeats “I believe in God”, receives the rite of Effectah (imposition of hands on the head) which means “open”, possibly a Christian first name that he has chosen, and receives an anointing with oil.

6- Baptism

It generally takes place during the “Easter Vigil”, the night before Easter Sunday. Most often, the newly baptized also makes their first communion and can receive confirmation.

Who were the catechumens of France, in 2023?

In 2023, the Catholic Church of France had 5,463 baptized catechumens. An increase of 1,000 people compared to 2022. Of these thousands of new Catholics, the majority were young adults. Three quarters were under 40 years old and a third between 18-25 years old (a figure which has doubled in 5 years). Among them, 1,461 baptized people were from Île-de-France. But more and more come from rural areas and from families of Christian tradition.

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