Advent -	A period of four weeks prior to Christmas. It has a twofold theme: preparing for the Second Coming of Christ, and preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Candidate -	One who is already baptized in another Christian faith and who now is preparing to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. At the time of full reception, he or she will make a profession of faith, be confirmed, and receive Eucharist.
Catechesis -	The instruction and spiritual formation of catechumens and those persons already baptized who seek full communion with the Catholic church.
Catechumenate -	The process, of a determined period of time, by which the church helps unbaptized adults to prepare for the sacraments of Christian initiation.
Catechumen -	A person admitted to the catechumenate seeking formal entry into the church.
Cycle A, B, C -	The three year cycle of liturgical readings: Cycle A, Matthew; Cycle B, Mark; Cycle C, Luke. All three cycles incorporate John.
Easter Season -	A period of seven weeks beginning with Easter Sunday and ending with the feast of Pentecost.
Elect -	A catechumen who has been found worthy by the community of faith and/or its representatives to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation.
Election -	The process of selecting those catechumens who are considered ready and worthy to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation. The celebration (ordinarily the first Sunday of Lent) wherein the Bishop or his delegate ratifies the selection process of the parish.
Enrollment -	The rite celebrating the inscription into the "Book of the Elect" of the names of those catechumens elected to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation.
Exorcisms -	Prayers said over the elect during the scrutinies that they may be delivered from the powers of evil and falsehood and receive the gifts of the Lord, especially the Spirit.
Evangelization -	The activity of the church whereby a first proclamation of the gospel is made to those persons inquiring about the faith.
Godparent(s) -	The person(s) selected by the elect, with the consent of the pastor, to accompany them during the rites of initiation.
Infusion -	A method of baptism in which the baptismal water is poured over the head of the candidate.
Initiation -	The process by which a person enters the faith life of the church from the catechumenate through the normally continuous celebration of the entrance rites of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist.
Inquirers -	Persons who sincerely seek to learn about the faith of the church.
Lectionary -	The book used in liturgical celebrations that contains all the scripture readings of the liturgical year.
Lent -	A six-week period extending from Ash Wednesday to sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a retreat time in preparation for the Easter Triduum.
Liturgical Year -	The seasons and cycles of the Christian year. It is the instrument and means for leading God's people along the way to the Lord. The readings introduce and invite us into the Paschal Mystery. It includes: Christmas Cycle (First Sunday of Advent through the Baptism of the Lord), Easter Cycle (Ash Wednesday through Pentecost), and Ordinary Time.
Neophyte -	A newly baptized person who is going through the final period of Christian initiation; the postbaptismal catechesis.
Mystagogy -	Final period of the order of Christian initiation of adults which is from Easter to Pentecost. The National Statutes (USA) also recommended an extended mystagogy for one year.
Ninety Days -	Occasionally used to mean the combination of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment and the Period of Mystagogy which corresponds with Lent (40 days) and the Easter Season (50 days).
Oil of Catechumens -	The oil, blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass (or for pastoral reasons by the priest before the anointing), to be used in the anointing of the catechumens during the process of initiation.
Ordinary Time -	Cycle within the liturgical year that is outside the liturgical seasons (i.e., Advent, Lent, Easter). This time provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's gift to us in Christ, our attitudes, and our prayer life and our service to others.
Presentation, Rites of -	The rites in which the church hands onto the elect its ancient documents of faith and prayer, the profession of faith or the creed (symbol) and the Lord's Prayer.
Scrutinies -	Rites celebrated by the priest or deacon with the elect on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, petitioning for the spirit of repentance and understanding of sin and the true freedom of the children of God.
Sponsors -	Those persons chosen to accompany the candidates when they seek admission to the catechumenate and remain with them to oversee their progress during the catechumenate process until the rite of election; they may also be selected as godparents.
Sunday -	The first day in the Christian liturgical week, the original feast day, the heart of the calendar, the basis and nucleus of the liturgical year.