The rite is for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God's help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.

Brief Summary of the four steps to this rite:

1) The first period consists of inquiry on the part of the candidates and of evangelization and the precatechumenate on the part of the Church. It is a time of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginnings of faith. It ends with the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens.

2) The second period, which begins with the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens and may last for several years, includes catechesis and the rites connected with catechesis. During this period, the candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God's call to follow the way of Christ. It comes to an end on the day of election.

3) The third and much shorter period, which follows the rite of election, ordinarily coincides with the Lenten preparation for the Easter celebration and the sacraments of initiation. It is the time the Church formally ratifies the catechumen's readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments. It is a time of purification and enlightenment. A time of reflection, intensely centered on conversion, marked by celebration of the scrutinies and presentations and of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday.

4) The final period, the celebration of the sacraments of initiation. Then, the whole of Easter season for the newly baptized and their godparents are devoted to the post- baptismal catechesis or mystagogy. It is a time for deepening the Christian experience, for spiritual growth, and for entering more fully into the life and unity of the community.