The baptismal catechumenate of adults

(²⁵⁰)

256. The baptismal catechumenate is a typical locus of catechesis, instituted by the Church to prepare adults, who desire to become Christians and to receive the Sacraments of Christian initiation. (²⁵¹) In the catechumenate, it is realized "that specific formation by means of which the adult, converted to the faith, is brought to a confession of baptismal faith during the Easter Vigil". (²⁵²) The catechesis given in the catechumenate is closely linked with the Christian community. (²⁵³) From the moment of their entry into the catechumenate, the Church surrounds catechumens "with her affection, her care, as though they are already her children and joined to her: indeed, they belong to the family of Christ". (²⁵⁴) Thus the Christian community assists "candidates and catechumens during their initiation process, from the precatechumenate to the catechumenate, to the period of mystagogy". (²⁵⁵) This continual presence of the Christian community is expressed in different ways and appropriately described in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. (²⁵⁶)