• A person who is exploring the Catholic faith. This period is for individuals to ask questions, share their experiences, and learn about the core teachings of Jesus and the Church in a welcoming environment.
• Not yet committed to becoming a Catholic. The inquiry period is a time of open-ended discernment. It has no fixed duration and lasts as long as the person needs it to make an initial decision about whether to continue the journey.
• Either unbaptized or baptized in another Christian denomination. The term "inquirer" applies to anyone at this initial stage of exploration.