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What are the first rites for seekers who commit to the catechumenal process?

The catechumenal process has been moving along for some weeks in your parish or congregation. You have gotten to know the participants and can begin to see where they are on the journey of conversion. Which means you have to start thinking about the rites which will in a few weeks publicly move them into the next step in the process.

But certain questions always come up. Why do we have one threshold rite for the baptized and another for the unbaptized? How do I understand my denomination’s rites better? And enact them more prayerfully?

Go online to journeytobaptism.org, and under Worship Resources click on Ecumenical Rites for the Adult Catechumenal Process. On p. 6 you will find the Rite for Receiving Hearers, intended for the unbaptized, and on p. 67 the Rite for Welcoming the Already Baptized to a Journey of Affirmation. What you will find is not just a compendium of best practices from across the denominations but a running liturgical commentary. Ponder and adapt!

And let us know if you have any questions, reactions or suggestions.