R.C.I.A. Terms:
- Candidate: A person in the catechumenate who has been baptized, either in the Catholic Church or in another Christian Church, but who has not celebrated Confirmation and/or First Communion.
- Catechumen: A person in the catechumenate who has never been baptized.
- Catechumenate: The name given for the entire process of praying, learning, discussing and reflecting, which culminates in initiation into the Church at Easter.
- Elect: A catechumen or candidate who will receive the sacraments of initiation in a short time.
- Election: A liturgical celebration in which the bishop or one of his priests accepts the catechumen as ready and worthy to take part in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter.
- Godparent: A person selected by the person to be baptized or confirmed to be a friend and helper as he/she learns to become a Catholic.
- Initiation: The process by which a person enters the Church and becomes a member through celebrating Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
- Inquirer: A person who sincerely wants to ask questions and learn about the Catholic faith.
- Mystagogia: This refers to the time between Easter and Pentecost when the new Catholics share their faith with others in the community.
- Neophyte: A newly baptized person. The word means a "new shoot."
- Rite of Acceptance: Marks the first step into the Catholic Church. The inquirers receive the sign of the Cross on the ears, eyes, lips, shoulders, heart, hands and feet, for they will now join in the joys and trials of the Christian mission.
- Rite of Election: Celebration of God's call through the Church to the initiation sacraments celebrated at the Easter Vigil; accepts the candidates for the sacraments by the bishop.
- Sponsor: A person chosen by the Church to be a friend and helper of the person interesting in becoming Catholic.