Ukatekumeni

Ukatekumeni (kutoka neno la Kigiriki κατηχούμενος, katēchúmenos, yaani "mtu anayefundishwa", kwa Kiingereza "catechumen") ni kipindi cha malezi ya Kikristo ambacho kinalenga hasa kuandaa watu kwa ajili ya ubatizo.

Kadiri ya Mtaguso wa pili wa Vatikano, uliorudisha katika Kanisa Katoliki taratibu za karne za kwanza baada ya Kristo, ni kwamba, kisha kuchunguza na kunyosha sababu za uongofu wao, waliojaliwa mwanzo wa imani wapokewe kwa ibada maalumu katika ukatekumeni ambao ufuate maagizo mbalimbali ya sheria za Kanisa A catechumen (from Latin catechumenus, Greek κατηχουμενος, instructed) is one receiving instruction in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism. It is for this reason that those who are already validly baptized in another Christian Faith are not known as catechumens, but rather candidates.

The Catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life. [Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, 75]

This is achieved in four ways {paraphrased}:

Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by celebrations of the Word.
The Catechumens learning to:
– Turn more readily to God in prayer
– To bear witness to the Faith
– In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
– To follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds
– To practice the love of neighbour, even at the cost of self-renunciation
Suitable liturgical rites, which purify the Catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God's blessing; including celebrations of the Word.
Learning to work actively with others to spread the Gospel.
From the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

The period of the Catechumenate is a time for:

Continuing to build community within the group
Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community
Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church
Exploring important and foundational Scripture passages
More importantly, it is a time for:

Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present
Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish
Fostering conversion
Developing or improving our relationship with God
Various rites pertain to this period of instruction for those who are unbaptized (catechumens):

Celebrations of the Word of God [81 - 89]
Minor Exorcisms[20] (not [90 - 94])
Blessings of the Catechumens [95 - 97]
Anointing of the Catechumens [98 - 103]
Presentations {Optional} [104 - 105]
Sending of the Catechumens for Election (a meeting with the Bishop of Catechumens from many Parishes throughout a Diocese) {Optional} [106 - 117]
An optional rite also pertains to this period for those who are baptized (candidates):

Rite of Sending the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop and for the Call to Continuing Conversion [434 - 445]
There is also a combined optional rite if there are both catechumens and candidates in a parish:

Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop [530 – 546]
The conclusion of this period leads onto the Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names for those who are unbaptized and the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion for those who are baptized. This is a very significant and important step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent at the local diocesan cathedral, led by the local bishop. All of the Catechumens and Candidates, their Godparents (for Catechumens), and Sponsors (for Catechumens and Candidates) gather together on this day, which may involve hundreds of people. The Church formally ratifies the Catechumens' readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation and the Candidates' readiness to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church. In turn the Catechumens – from now on known as the Elect – publicly acknowledge their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, and the Candidates their desire to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church..

Madhehebu mengine ya Ukristo, kama Waanglikana  Walutheri, Wamethodisti, Waorthodoksi, Wakalvini,, ingawa si yote, yana utaratibu wa namna hiyo.

Tanbihi

Viungo vya nje
North American Association for the Catechumenate 
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Resource Site 
North American Forum on the Catechumenate 
TeamRCIA
The Blog That's All About R.C.I.A.
The Association for Catechumenal Ministry
Waking Up Catholic - RCIA Information 
Catholic Encyclopedia article on Catechumen
OrthodoxWiki:Catechumen, an OrthodoxWiki article

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