my reading notes.(1)--the period for the catechuments in the early church

all notes are from the book which entitled "Penance, the once and future sacrament" by Lawrence E. Mick. Liturgical press, 1987.

Once the candidates were accepted into the catechumenate, they were considered members of the community of faith, though they were not yet admitted to the sacraments. They entered a period of formation and instruction that generally lasted three years. During that time they listened to the Word of God, attending the Sunday liturgy with the baptized until after the homily, when they were dismissed. They were instructed in the faith and its demands, and they were expected to live the Christian way in all aspects of their lives. They joined with the baptized in works of charity and service to those in need and spent time in prayer and reflection on the scriptures.

When it was agreed that the candidates were ready to be admitted to the sacraments, they entered a period of intensive spiritual preparation lasting forty days and leading to the celebration of the initiation sacraments at Easter.

The period of purification or enlightenment culminated in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation at the Easter vigil.

After receiving the Easter sacraments, the new Christian continued their formation throughout the fifth days of Easter, reflecting on their experience of the sacraments of initiation and being fully integrated into the order of faith. Their formation would conclude with the celebration of Pentecost.

The whole point of that extended and complex formation process was to ensure that those who were initiated were undergoing a true conversion of heart and life to Christ.