In a previous article, we looked at why measuring is key to a successful catechumenate. In this article, I want to dig into what we measure and how to measure.

To figure out what to measure, we have to clarify what the catechumenate is for. When we use the catechumenate for things it is not intended for, we measure the wrong things, and we encourage illogical behaviors.

What the catechumenate can’t do

Here are some examples of what the catechumenate is not intended for:

• It is not an adult confirmation program
• It is not an adult education program
• It is not a marriage preparation program, even if one person in the couple is not Catholic
• It is not CCD for adult Catholics who “dropped out” after confirmation
• It is not a place for sponsors or spouses to “catch up” on facts of the faith
• It is not a small faith sharing community
• It is not a support group for dealing with emotional distress
• It is not a class
• It is not a club
• It is not a program for making Protestants into Catholics

The only purpose of the catechumenate is conversion, specifically conversion to Jesus Christ. The Rite (Order) of Christian Initiation of Adults explicitly states that the catechumenate is designed for adults who “consciously and freely seek…[to] enter the way of faith and conversion” (1).

Therefore, the only thing we should measure is conversion, which occurs in four stages of the seeker’s journey:

1. Evangelization (Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate)
2. Training for Christian life (Period of the Catechumenate)
3. Final, spiritual preparation for following the Cross (Period of Purification and Enlightenment)
4. New perception of discipleship (Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy)

The only purpose of the catechumenate is conversion, specifically conversion to Jesus Christ.

Solving our frustrations

Measuring conversion seriously right from the beginning, starting with the evangelization stage, can solve many of our frustrations with illogical behavior. We must determine if someone is already evangelized and believes in Jesus. If they do, they do not need to be evangelized, and it is illogical to think they need a Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate.

On the other hand, we cannot move seekers who do not believe in Jesus into the training stage, the Period of the Catechumenate. Until we see clear measures of belief, the seeker is still in need of evangelization. The measures in the evangelization stage are simple, and the bar is low (see this article).

Even so, while some seekers will begin to move from unbelief to belief, some will not. Only those who show a measure of conversion to Christian belief can move forward to the training stage. Moving everyone forward together just to keep the “class” together is illogical and leads to illogical behavior.

Apprenticeship for seekers

In the training stage, the Period of the Catechumenate, the bar is higher. The newly-believing seekers will become apprentices in Christian life (see this article). The faith of these seekers needs to be deepened and strengthened as they are confronted with the disciplines of Christian life.

The length of time appropriate for the catechumenate depends both on the grace of God and on various circumstances…. The catechumenate, or pastoral formation of the catechumens, should last long enough for their conversion and faith to mature, even over several years, if need be. Moreover, by learning about the whole of Christian life over an appropriately extended apprenticeship, the catechumens are suitably initiated by the mysteries of salvation and the exercise of an evangelical way of life and sacred rites…. (RCIA 76)

Some will be ready sooner than others to offer a final, definitive “yes” to following the Cross of Christ. Here again, moving everyone forward together without discerning their level of conversion is illogical.

Although baptized candidates can accompany the elect, the period’s rites are specifically for the unbaptized. The scrutinies and presentations deepen and measure the conversion of the elect, ensuring they are fully prepared to die to themselves in the waters of baptism and join themselves to the sacrifice of Christ in the eucharist.

Discernment with the elect

The next stage, spiritual preparation (Period of Purification and Enlightenment), is often misunderstood by parish leaders, and therefore illogical measures are set and illogical behavior follows. The only measure in this stage is the level of spiritual readiness of the unbaptized believing seekers (the elect).

Although baptized candidates can accompany the elect, the period’s rites are specifically for the unbaptized. The scrutinies and presentations deepen and measure the conversion of the elect, ensuring they are fully prepared to die to themselves in the waters of baptism and join themselves to the sacrifice of Christ in the eucharist. The rites themselves activate this level of conversion, making it illogical to treat them as optional or modify them in ways that distort their purpose. Furthermore, it is illogical to subject the baptized candidates or assembly members to these rites.

Transitioning to new life

The final stage, a new perception of discipleship (Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy), is often subject to illogical measures and behaviors in the catechumenate. Many parishes mistakenly measure the number of neophytes who continue to attend classes after the Easter Vigil, despite no indication in the rite suggesting this as a measure of conversion. Instead, conversion of the neophytes is measured by these criteria:

“This is a time for the community and the neophytes together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the eucharist, and doing works of charity.” (RCIA, 244)

This is a recapitulation of the training for discipleship that the neophytes received during their apprenticeship in the faith. The measure of conversion here at this final stage is basically: remember what you were taught about living as a disciple. Except now there is something new:

“Out of this experience, which belongs to Christians and increases as it is lived, [the neophytes] derive a new perception of the faith, of the Church, and of the world.” (RCIA 245)

What is the new experience? It is the sacramental life the neophytes entered into at the Easter Vigil. Now they see Christ more clearly and their “new perception” gives them “a fuller and more effective understanding of the mysteries” (RCIA 245). So the measure of conversion here is not class attendance. It is the depth with which the neophytes perceive the mystery of Christ and the level at which they conform their lives to that mystery.

The catechumenate process is designed for the purpose of conversion, and measuring success in the process requires a focus on the conversion journey. The four stages of the process are evangelization, training for Christian life, spiritual preparation, and a new perception of discipleship.

Focusing on the conversion journey

In conclusion, the catechumenate process is designed for the purpose of conversion, and measuring success in the process requires a focus on the conversion journey. The four stages of the process are evangelization, training for Christian life, spiritual preparation, and a new perception of discipleship.

Each stage requires a different measure of conversion, and moving seekers forward without discerning their level of conversion is illogical and may lead to illogical behavior. Parish leaders must ensure that they measure the right things at each stage and that they do not subject those who are already converted to Jesus Christ to the catechumenate process. By taking measuring conversion seriously, the catechumenate process can be successful in helping unbelievers become lifelong disciples of Christ.

Can you help me out?

I’d love to know how this is landing. Can you share a word or a phrase about how this article resonates with you? Does it speak to your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments box below. Thanks for being part of the conversion!