Introduction 29 Confirmation and the Eucharist (nos. 400-410) and validly baptized Christians for Reception into the full communion of the Church (nos. 473-486), along with four optional rites which may be used with such candidates (nos. 411-472) and the Rite of Reception of baptized Christians into the full communion of the Catholic Church (nos. 487-504). Rites for catechumens and validly baptized candidates celebrated in combination are contained in Appendix I (nos. 562-594). Finally, Appendix II contains acclamations, hymns, and chants (nos. 595-597). I Structure of the Initiation of Adults 4. The Initiation of catechumens takes place step by step in the midst of the community of the faithful, who together with the catechumens reflecting upon the value of the Paschal Mystery and renewing their own conversion, lead them by their own example to obey the Holy Spirit more generously. 5. The Order of Initiation is suited to the spiritual journey of adults, which varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place. 6. On this journey, besides periods of inquiry and maturation (cf. no. 7 below), there are “steps” or stages upon which the catechumen progresses to cross a threshold, as it were, or to climb a step. a) The first step: approaching initial conversion, the person desires to become a Christian and is accepted by the Church as a catechumen. b) The second step: having advanced in faith and nearly completed the catechumenate, the person is received to a more intense preparation for the Sacraments. c) The third step: after the spiritual preparation has been completed, the person receives the Sacraments by which a Christian is initiated. These, then, are the three steps, stages or doorways that are to be regarded as the major or more intense moments of Initiation. 4 5 6
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