About the Catechumenate | St. John's Lutheran Church - St. John's Lutheran Church Chicago

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The Catechumenate

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
-Jesus

Structure

The Catechumenate is the process by which the Church makes disciples of Jesus. From the earliest days of the Christian Church, the catechumenate has served as the process for initiating the Christian life and reception into the fellowship of the Church by Baptism, Confirmation, and participation in the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper).

Catechumens spend time studying and reflecting on the Catechism, which is a brief summary of what the Bible teaches concerning God’s will for our lives (Ten Commandments); God’s work on our behalf (Apostles’ Creed); Prayer (Lord’s Prayer); God’s sacramental encounter with us (Holy Baptism, Confession, the Sacrament of the Altar); and the shape of the Christian life.

At St. John’s, the Catechumenate is divided into three sections, punctuated by rituals that signal the beginning of a new course of discipleship.

Time of inquiry
Didache
Time of enculturation

The time of inquiry and the time of enculturation are not defined by a set schedule. During the time of inquiry, catechumens are investigating the Christian faith and beginning to participate in Christian worship. The time of enculturation is when the catechumen is growing into the life of the congregation and participating fully in worship.

Didache

The heart of the Catechumenate is a course of study called Didache (dih - dah - KAY), which is the Greek word for “teaching.” In the book of Acts, we are told that the first disciples “devoted themselves to the apostles' didache and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

The teaching follows a method that Jesus practiced and the Church has followed since: catechesis. Catechesis is a rhythm of questions and answers, and is designed to be a time of conversation, discovery, and growth in faith and appreciation for the mysteries of God.

Rites of Initiation

Didache concludes with the Rites of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Baptism is for anyone who has not been baptized in the name of the Triune God. For those who have been baptized in another church fellowship, Confirmation is the opportunity to affirm the faith of the Christian Church, and to receive a blessing for Christian life. Eucharist is the term used in the early Church for the Lord’s Supper. Following Baptism and/or Confirmation, Catechumens are welcome to participate in the fellowship of our congregation at the Lord’s altar.

Didache Schedule

February 9	Listening to the Word of God
February 16	The Law of God 1
February 23	The Law of God 2
March 2	The Apostles' Creed - First Article
March 9	The Apostles' Creed - Second Article
March 16	The Apostles' Creed - Third Article
March 23	The Lord's Prayer
March 30	The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
April 6	Confession & Absolution
April 13	The Sacrament of the Altar
April 19 Saturday at 7 p.m.	The Vigil of Easter Rites of Initiation
May 4	Daily Prayers
May 12	Table of Duties

Please check back on this page for recordings and other resources during this course.

2025 Adult Catechumenate Registration

The Adult Catechumenate at St. John's will explore the basic teachings of the Christian faith on Sundays at noon from February 9 through April 13 at our Didache class. Participants will be offered the opportunity to confess this faith as their own and be welcomed into the fellowship of our congregation on Saturday, April 19 at our Easter Vigil service. Two additional sessions discussing the Christian life will follow in May. Lunch will be provided for each class.

Please indicate your intention to join this course by submitting the Registration information below.