Ask Father: My pastor keeps asking us to pray for our candidates & catechumens. What does that mean?

Every year we look forward to the Lenten and Easter seasons. For some, it may seem odd to say that we look forward to Lent. After all, isn’t this the time we dedicate to prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Those activities can lead to great growth and joy whether it is Lent, Easter, or any time of the year. The word “Lent,” in fact, means “springtime.”

And who doesn’t look forward to spring? Lent is a time of preparation for us to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection at Easter.But Lent has another very special meaning, and it is one we don’t think enough about. Lent is the final preparation period for those who are preparing to be baptized or are already baptized and wish to be received into the Catholic Church. Each year at the Easter Vigil, thousands of people are baptized or received into the Church.

The first day of Lent, though, is not the first day of their preparation. In most cases, their preparation began several months earlier, often in August or September. So, by the time Easter comes, most have had eight months of study before becoming baptized Catholics. Some people wish to study even longer before they make the decision to become Catholic.

Those who are not already baptized but seek baptism in the Church are called “catechumens,” while those who are already baptized in another Christian faith but wish to become Catholic are “candidates.” The word “cate-chumen” comes from a Greek word that means “being instructed.” For a candidate, their instruction is different in that they have already been baptized as a Christian and have committed themselves to Christ, often having been active members of another Christian denomination.

The ordinary way of becoming Catholic as a catechumen or candidate is by following a process known as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). There are other ways someone can become Catholic based on pastoral necessities, but usually this Order is what is followed. The Order is important, in part, because catechumens and candidates pray, study and learn together. In a certain sense, they are forming their own community, which will soon be brought into the larger Catholic Christian community. It takes time to discern, especially when someone has been raised in a different faith environment.

There are some who are leery about going through this process because of how long it takes. But the reality is it takes time and prayer to make such an important decision. Plus, it allows soon-to-be Catholics a way to learn a lot about our faith — sometimes they end up knowing more about the faith than those who have been raised Catholic. (That’s why adult catechesis of Catholics is so important in our parishes.)

Thus, the season of Lent is a joyful time. It is a new springtime for present and new Catholics. The joy of Easter is palpable at the Easter Vigil, and everyone should be encouraged to take part in what is truly the most important Mass of the year. It is a special day both for the new Catholics and for all of us in celebrating Easter joy.