CATECHUMEN CONVERSATIONS
for Catechumens (anyone considering becoming a catechumen) and Sponsors
Catechumen Conversations are intended to provide catechumens with answers to questions of a practical nature. When the process is finished, catechumens should have multiple and varied examples of what it looks like to live an Orthodox life on a daily basis.
Instructions
After being made a catechumen, the catechumen will share the list of questions below with their sponsor.
The catechumen will then be responsible for scheduling a time to sit down with their sponsor and ask them the questions from the list.
After completing the conversation, the catechumen will choose one other person from the parish, share the questions with them, and then schedule a time to sit down with that person and ask them the questions from the list.
The sponsor will also give their catechumen a third name of another person from the parish. The catechumen will schedule a time to sit down with that third person as well and ask them the questions from the list.
By the end of the process, the catechumen will have had three separate conversations: one with their sponsor, one with another person they choose, and one with another person their sponsor chooses.
When it comes time for a catechumen to be received into the Church, the priest will ask the catechumen if they have completed their Catechumen Conversations. If they have not, the catechumens will not be received into the Church until they do.
Questions
1. What is your prayer rule? How did you come up with it?
2. What is your approach to fasting? What is your favorite fasting recipe?
3. What is your approach to giving?
4. How do you set up an icon corner?
5. How do you choose a patron saint? How do you make them a part of your day-to-day life?
6. Who do you consider to be your Spiritual Father/Father Confessor? How did you establish that relationship? What does that relationship consist of?
7. With so many services available to attend throughout the week and on the weekends, how do you decide which services to attend?
8. What is your favorite educational opportunity/study group that the Church offers? Why is that one your favorite? What made you decide to start attending it?
9. How often do you go to confession? How do you prepare for it? How do you handle being scared or embarrassed about confessing your sins?
10. What is one book about the Faith that I have to read? Why did you choose that book?
11. What is one video or talk or podcast about the Faith that I have to watch or listen to? Why did you choose that video, or talk, or podcast?
12. What work or job have you volunteered to do at the parish? Would you be willing to let me shadow you the next time you do that work?
Download Catechumen Conversation - Instructions and Questions