The Catechumenate
The long road of formation that prepares a convert for the font
The catechumenate is the structured period of instruction, examination, and spiritual formation that converts underwent before baptism, attested in early church orders and in Cyril of Jerusalem's Catechetical Lectures. Historically it was widespread in the Church. It was revived in modern Catholicism as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, while many Protestant bodies prepare converts in less formal ways.
How it traveled
- Appendix to the Works of Hippolytus. Containing Dubious and Spurious Pieces.Rome · 235applies
- The First Ecumenical Council: The First Council of NiceNicaea · 325explains
- The Church History of EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- The Canons of the Councils of Ancyra, Gangra, Neocæsarea, Antioch and Laodicea, which Canons were Accepted and Received by the Ecumenical Synods— · 360explains
- The Catechetical Lectures of S. CyrilJerusalem · 386explains
- On the MysteriesMilan · 397explains
- A Commentary on the Acts of the ApostlesConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Instructions to CatechumensConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Homilies on Second CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- On the Catechising of the UninstructedHippo Regius · 430explains
- The ConfessionsHippo Regius · 430explains
- Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New TestamentHippo Regius · 430explains
- Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. JohnHippo Regius · 430applies
- The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called The Quinisext CouncilConstantinople (Istanbul) · 692applies
- Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90)Paris · 1274explains
- Inquiry Concerning Qualification for CommunionNorthampton, Massachusetts · 1758explains
Key passages(20)
Homilies on Second Corinthians · John Chrysostom
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
On the Catechising of the Uninstructed · Augustine of Hippo
The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called The Quinisext Council · The Ecumenical Councils
The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril · Cyril of Jerusalem
The Commentary and Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Galatians and Ephesians · John Chrysostom
The Confessions · Augustine of Hippo
The First Ecumenical Council: The First Council of Nice · The Ecumenical Councils
The First Ecumenical Council: The First Council of Nice · The Ecumenical Councils
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Instructions to Catechumens · John Chrysostom
The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril · Cyril of Jerusalem
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants · Augustine of Hippo