GLOSSARY OF RCIA TERMS
The following list of definitions explain the terms used above in explaining the RCIA process:

Catechesis – The apostolic work of passing on the truths of the faith so that the believer may understand, confess and live that faith as a disciple of Christ, having been initiated into the fullness of Christian life through an encounter with God in worship, with Christ the teacher, and the communion of believers.
Catechetics – the science and art of studying how to do catechesis.
Catechumen – A person who is preparing for Baptism. 
Catechumenal – Anything about the Christian initiation process and things related to it.
Catechumenate – The entire process of Christian initiation.  The extended period of instruction and preparation before the reception of the sacraments, the purpose of which is pastoral formation and guidance aimed at training participants in the truths of Catholic doctrine and moral life.
Candidate – A person who has been baptized as either a Catholic or has been validly baptized in another Christian denomination and is preparing to complete their preparation by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Godparent - A person, chosen by an unbaptized person, who is a companion on the journey after the Rite of Acceptance (begins the period of preparation for unbaptized inquirers).
Inquirer – A person, unbaptized or baptized, who participates in the period of evangelization and the precatechumenate, up to the Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming.
Neophyte – A person who has entered the Catholic Church.  The term applies to all new Catholics until the first anniversary of their initiation.
Participant – Used in a general sense, a person unbaptized or baptized, who is receiving catechesis at any stage of the RCIA process.
Precatechumenate – The first period of instruction in the RCIA process.  It is the period that is prior to the Rites of Acceptance and Welcoming.  This period ends when an inquirer is ready to participate in the celebration of the Rite of Acceptance or the Rite of Welcoming.
Purification and Enlightenment – The third period of instruction in the RCIA process, following the Rites of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion.  It normally coincides with the Lenten season and is a period of more intense spiritual preparation for initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Rite of Acceptance – This Rite ends the period of evangelization and the precatechumenate and begins the period of the catechumenate for unbaptized inquirers.
Rite of Welcoming – This Rite ends the period of evangelization and the precatechumenate and begins the period of the catechumenate for baptized inquirers.
Rite of Election – This Rite ends the period for the catechumenate and begins the period of purification and enlightenment for unbaptized participants.  It takes place on the First Sunday of Lent and is normally presided over by the bishop of the diocese.
Rite of the Call to Continuing Conversion – This Rite is for the baptized. It ends the period for the catechumenate and begins the period of purification and enlightenment for baptized participants.  It takes place on the First Sunday of Lent and is normally presided over by the bishop of the diocese.
Sacraments of Initiation – The sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
Scrutinies – rites for catechumens and candidates to assist them in their preparation for the sacraments of initiation to foster a deepening repentance for sins and desire for God’s mercy.
 Sponsor - A companion on the journey for a baptized person who is inquiring into the Catholic faith and decides to participate in the process of initiation.  The role of the sponsor is significant in the work of incorporating the participant into the parish community, in witnessing to the Christian life, and in being at the service of the conversion process both before and after initiation occurs.