By Thea Jarvis

In the early history of the Church, Lent was a time for Christians to renew the commitment of faith made at their baptism.

Focusing on the joy and fulfillment of a life united with Christ, the Church as a community set aside Lent as a time to refresh and rededicate itself in the sprit of its baptismal promises.

During the Lenten season, catechumens -- those preparing to be received into the Church -- embarked on the final stage of their journey towards Christian initiation. The baptismal waters that would be a sign of their freedom in Christ awaited them at the Easter vigil ceremony.

The whole Church community offered encouragement and individual sponsors insure support for the catechumens. For their part, catechumens were a visible reminder of what the early Christians were called to be.

Over the centuries, Lent changed from a season of baptism to a season of Penance. Fasting, abstinence and penitential practices were emphasized, frequently to the exclusion of the baptismal preparation and renewal theme. The formal catechumenate faded out as baptism was celebrated individually rather than communally at Easter.

Since the Second Vatican Council, however, there has been an effort to return to the original Lenten themes that sustained early Christians. Emphasis is again shifting to a focus on what Christians are called to be in their baptismal identity, rather than how much fasting and penance they can undertake for 40 days.

Parish communities are now endeavoring to offer religious education programs for catechumens which involve individual sponsors and other members of the church. The time before Easter -- the Lenten season -- is viewed as a special opportunity for the catechumen to prepare in depth for his reception into the Church.

The Lent/Easter tradition has come full circle. At the vigil Mass for Easter this Holy Saturday evening in Catholic Churches throughout the world, catechumens will be welcomed into full communion with joy and thanksgiving.