Catechumenate — the Church year

A schedule might be detailed, even boring. But in the Catechumenate — the process of adults preparing to become fully initiated Catholics — we become  transported into Jesus’ ministry of salvation through the liturgical year, which connects us with the life and teachings of Jesus.

We are approaching the end of this Church year and will soon begin the next year's five major seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time.

Advent is calculated, beginning with the first Sunday after Nov. 30 (the feast of Saint Andrew) and concluding on Dec. 24. This year the Season of Advent falls on Nov. 30 — the first of six catechumenate initiation rites.

Throughout the world, inquirers participate in a rite, or ceremony, called the “Rite of Acceptance.” In this rite, unbaptized inquirers enter

into the “Order of Catechumens,” beginning

their preparation to be baptized at the Easter Vigil.

They are now called "catechumens."

Inquirers, who are already baptized in other Christian denominations, become “candidates” for full initiation in the “Rite of Welcoming.” Baptized Catholics, who haven’t been confirmed, become “confirmandi,” preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which completes baptism.

“Nativity of the Lord” (Christmas) is always Dec. 25. The Christmas season ends the Sunday after Epiphany (observed on or the closest Sunday to January 6). In 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany is observed Sunday, Jan. 4.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18, 2026) and ends the day before Easter (April 3). The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence — no meat or meat products. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence and fasting, which allows one full meal and two smaller meals.

The final week before Easter includes Palm Sunday and the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, (Easter Vigil and the Sacraments of Initiation for full communion into the Catholic Church).

Easter begins with Holy Saturday on April 4, 2026, and concludes at Pentecost, May 24. “Neophytes,” the newly initiated, now receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at every Mass.

Ordinary Time falls between Christmas and Lent, and also during the weeks after Pentecost until the end of the liturgical year. Advent begins each new year.

The Lectionary for Mass is the schedule of scripture passages for the Church year. There are three cycles. Year A of the Sunday Cycle will begin on Nov. 30, 2025, and end on Nov. 22, 2026.

— by Paulette Peynet