The ancient Christians understood that people need to learn how to live a Christian life; it doesn’t just “happen” because we’ve been baptized! We need to take time to reflect on the promises we make at our baptism and what it means for us to keep them. We need a process of formation.
There are four stages to such a process:
- Inquiry: participants are invited, gather, and form community
- Exploration: participants commit to a process of learning and formation
- Preparation: participants prepare for baptism, confirmation or renewal of baptismal vows
- Reflection: participants reflect on their call to baptismal ministry
There are four rites to mark each stage in the process.
- The Rite of Welcoming (in the Fall, as the process begins)
- The Rite of Enrollment (on the First Sunday of Lent)
- Baptism, Confirmation, or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows (at Easter)
- Recognition of Baptismal Ministries (at Pentecost)
Rites for Baptism: The Preparation for Baptism, or Catechumenate
Rites for Confirmation or Reaffirmation: Preparation for Confirmation, Reception or other Reaffirmations of the Baptismal Covenant
Continue to the next page: Resources for Baptismal Living.