# Prayer for New Catechumens at the Easter Vigil
*2016-03-26*

> Bill Young offers a prayer for the catechumens preparing to receive baptism at the Easter Vigil, asking God to open their hearts and welcome them into the Church.

## Opening

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, and you’re listening to the Prayer and Lunch podcast. Tonight, as we prepare for the Easter Vigil, I want to pray for the catechumens who will be received into the Catholic Church.

## Prayer for the Catechumens

Lord God, open wide the ears and the innermost hearts of our catechumens. May they experience the boundless mercy of the Father, receiving forgiveness for all their sins through the waters of rebirth. Let them become one with Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Almighty and everlasting God, who makes the Church ever fruitful with new offspring, increase the faith and understanding of our catechumens. May those reborn in the font of baptism be added to the number of your adopted children, through Christ our Lord.

*May the Holy Spirit guide each new member of the Church into a deep, lasting communion with Christ.*