Those who seek to be fully initiated into the Church go through a preparation process. The process is not only for catechetical instruction, but especially spiritual preparation. Additionally, it's a gradual integration into the community of faith--that of Holy Ghost and the Church universal! 

For some weeks now, the OCIA team has introduced those who were inquiring about the Catholic faith, helping them discern whether this is the right time to fully enter into the Church. At the 9:30 AM Mass on Sunday, December 8, 2024, they were formally welcomed into the process of initiation which culminates with the Easter Vigil--the Mother of all Liturgies--on April 19, 2025.

The Church's sacraments of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Those who have been previously baptized but have not yet received Confirmation and/or their First Communion are now to be known as "Candidates." Meanwhile, those who are not baptized are now known as "Catechumens."

In the Church's history (think centuries ago), the Catechumenate (the process of being a Catechumen and preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist) lasted several months (going into a few years). These were adults who wanted to be part of the Christian community of faith, and they were slowly being integrated into the community. Although they were not baptized, they were already considered as members of the community--though not sacramentally. This was true even to the point of death!

With such a long Catechumenate process, some catechumens died, and the Church faced the question: "Should they receive a Catholic funeral?" The Spirit-led answer was clear: Yes! Why? Because they so desired Baptism, and they belonged to the community already, that they are recognized as part of the Body of Christ, though not sacramentally.

Such we have the Catholic understanding of a "Baptism of Desire." That is, any such person who desires to be baptized but dies before having the opportunity to receive the Sacrament. The Church says: God has granted them Baptism, not through the visible sacramental means but through their interior disposition. The distinction is made that we are bound by the Sacraments, but God is not bound to confer grace only through the Sacraments.

What this means to us is that these formally welcomed men and women as Catechumens and Candidates are truly and more formally part of our community of faith. Welcome them as such, and pray for them in this catechetical and spiritual preparation to be fully members of the Mystical Body of Christ.