Lent for Converts: A Journey Toward Easter and Full Communiion

Lent is a deeply meaningful season in the life of every Christian, but for those preparing to enter the Church, it takes on an even greater significance. Whether you are seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church, Lent is more than just a time of fasting—it is a season of preparation, purification, and grace.

If you are entering the Church this Easter, you may have many questions about what this season means for you. What do the rituals of Lent symbolize? What is the purpose of the steps you will take during this time? Most importantly, how is God working in your heart as you approach the sacraments? Let’s walk through this together.

What is Lent?

Lent is a 40-day period of preparation for Easter, mirroring the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert before beginning His public ministry (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 540). It is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, meant to draw us closer to God and detach us from the things that keep us from Him.

For those already Catholic, Lent is a season of deepening their faith. For those entering the Church, it is the final stage of spiritual preparation before receiving the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Whether you are preparing for Baptism or Confirmation, this season is a time to open your heart to God’s grace in a new way.

The Rite of Christian Initiation: What You Will Experience

If you are becoming Catholic this Easter, you are on a journey known as either the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)or the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). During Lent, there are several important steps leading to your reception into the Church:

1. The Rite of Election (For Those Seeking Baptism)

Early in Lent, you will take part in the Rite of Election, where you will become one of the “Elect”—those chosen to receive Baptism. This is a public acknowledgment that you are ready to commit to Christ and enter His Church. The bishop will declare that the Church recognizes your readiness, and your name will be written in the Book of the Elect. This moment echoes God’s promise in Isaiah 43:1: “I have called you by name, and you are mine.”

For those already baptized in another Christian tradition, you will not go through the Rite of Election but will instead continue your journey toward Confirmation and full communion.

2. The Scrutinies (For Those Seeking Baptism)

On three Sundays during Lent, those preparing for Baptism will participate in the Scrutinies—special prayers and blessings that help purify your heart and strengthen you against sin (CCC 1415). These are not tests, as the name might suggest, but rather moments where the Church prays for you to be freed from anything that keeps you from fully embracing Christ. They are a reminder that God is already at work in you, cleansing, healing, and preparing you for the grace of Baptism.

For those who are already baptized, you do not go through the Scrutinies, but you are still invited to use this time for personal reflection and deepening your relationship with God.

3. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (For Those Already Baptized)

If you are already baptized, one of the most important steps before receiving Confirmation is going to Confession for the first time. In this sacrament, you will bring your sins to Jesus and receive His forgiveness through the priest. If you feel nervous about this, you are not alone! But know that Confession is not about judgment—it is about mercy. Jesus is not waiting to condemn you but to embrace you, just as He did in Luke 15:20, when the father ran to meet his prodigal son.

(CCC 1468) reminds us that this sacrament brings “peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation.” You will walk out of Confession freer than you have ever felt before.

4. The Easter Vigil: Entering the Church

On Holy Saturday night, you will experience the Easter Vigil—the most beautiful and sacred liturgy of the year. It is here that you will finally receive the sacraments that you have been preparing for.

• If you are unbaptized, this will be the moment of your Baptism, Confirmation, and first Eucharist—your full entrance into the Catholic Church.
• If you are already baptized, you will receive Confirmation and the Eucharist, completing your initiation into the Church.

This night is the fulfillment of your Lenten journey. It is the moment when you will die with Christ and rise with Him to new life (Romans 6:4).

What the Lenten Journey Means for You

Beyond the rituals, what is really happening during this season? Lent is not just about the external steps you are taking—it is about what God is doing within you. Here are three ways to enter deeply into this season:

1. Let Yourself Be Transformed

God is preparing you for something far greater than you can imagine. Just as a seed must be buried before it can grow, Lent is a time for dying to the old self so that you can rise with Christ. What habits, fears, or burdens do you need to surrender to Him?

2. Embrace the Community of Faith

You are not alone. The Church has been praying for you, and now you are about to enter a family that spans the entire world. Reach out to your parish, your sponsor, and fellow catechumens or candidates. Ask questions, share your struggles, and let yourself be supported.

3. Trust That You Belong Here

If you have ever felt unworthy or unsure about your place in the Church, hear this: God has called you here. You did not choose Him—He chose you (John 15:16). No matter your past, your doubts, or your struggles, God has been drawing you to Himself from the very beginning.

Final Thoughts: This is Just the Beginning

Lent is not the end of your journey—it is the threshold. When you step into the Church this Easter, you are not just finishing a process; you are beginning a new life.

As you prepare for the sacraments, know that God is already rejoicing over you. All of heaven is waiting to celebrate with you (Luke 15:7).

Welcome home, dear friend. The Church is not just a place you are entering—it is the family you were always meant to belong to.

How can you live this Lent more deeply? What prayers, habits, or reflections can help you prepare your heart? Let’s walk this journey together.