Discernment

Discernment for the first time is done before you go through the first rite, the Rite of Acceptance. One may choose to stay with the pre-catechumenate period or move on to the catechumenate. Next comes during the Catechumenate.

Question we can ask ourselves about the candidates/catechumens are:


 * Has their lifestyle changed? (Repentance, through exposure to the gospel and living accordingly?
 * Has this person turned to God in prayer?
 * Does this person embrace all that Jesus demands of us?
 * Has this person become a part of parish life?

We should see signs of some of these changes during the catechumenate period.

The next time discernment should take place by the discernment team a few weeks before Lent.Before the team can gather for a discernment session all candidates/catechumens should be interviewed by members of the discernment team.

I would like to build a Discernment Team. This would consist of a team of 3 or 4 who are willing to come together, read and break open the Discerning Disciples; Listening for God's Voice in Christian Initiation; assisting with the interview process during the RCIA process for catechumens and candidates. Gathering for a final day of prayer and discernment about each candidate before the Rite of Election.