§ 1. Penitence. The
candidate for Baptism, having been duly admitted and registered, was
required not only to be diligent in attending the course of
Catechetical instruction Procat. §
9: “Let thy feet haste to the Catechisings,” §
10: “Abide thou in the Catechisings: though our
discourse be long, let not thy mind be wearied out.” Cf.
Cat. i. 5., but also to enter at
once upon a course of strict devotion and penitential discipline.
“Those who are coming to Baptism,” says Tertullian,
“must be constantly engaged in prayers, fastings, kneelings, and
watchings, together with confession of all past faults De
Baptismo, c. 20. Cf. Justin M. Apol. I. c. 61;
Const. Apost. vii. 22..”