OCIA - Order of Christian Initiation
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults provides information about the Catholic Church and prepares people to join the church. Inquiry sessions are held in September, and preparation classes are held from October to May. At Easter, new Catholics are brought into full communion with the Church.
The OCIA Process
A breakdown of the stages of the process
Becoming a Catholic occurs in various “stages” and involves certain public ceremonies called “rites” or rituals. These rites usually happen at the Sunday liturgies when the community worships.
Evangelization and Pre-Catechumenate
This is a period of no fixed time or structure when those interested in the Catholic Church have an opportunity for inquiry and introduction to gospel values, a time of unhurried reflection and discovery, whereby a person begins to search out God’s call to enter more fully into the life of the Church.
Acceptance into the Catechumenate
The Rite of Acceptance marks the beginning of the catechumenate. In this stage, an inquirer is now called either a catechumen (a previously unbaptized person seeking membership in the Catholic Church ) or a candidate (a person baptized in another Christian tradition). The Catechumenate is a time for nurturing faith growth and conversion to God. And during this period, both catechumens and candidates are assisted by a sponsor, a member of the parish community who is committed to helping them become full members of the Church.
The Rite of Election
Usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, the Rite of Election is the Church’s formal affirmation of the catechumen’s readiness for the sacraments of initiation. The elect, on their part, express their desire to be initiated.
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This period, usually during Lent, is a time of immediate preparation for the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. This is also a period of purification for the parish community. We are all called to reform our lives according to the gospel's demands. After this stage, the catechumens and the candidates are initiated into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil. For the catechumen, this means the reception of all three sacraments of initiation–Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It means full reception into the Church through Eucharist and Confirmation for the candidates.
Period of Mystagogy
The word mystagogy comes from the Greek and means “entering into the mystery.” This is the period after the Easter Vigil when the newly initiated are invited to participate in the Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy with the faithful fully. It is a time for further instruction and growth in the mysteries of the faith. The newly initiated are encouraged to continue reading and studying scripture and are introduced to the opportunities for Christian service.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process that affects the entire life of the Church. Not only the catechumens, but all parish community members are called to reflect on how they will experience Christ’s life through these new members.
Throughout the process, the community is called upon to affirm, confirm, and renew its faith, to communicate its support to those making the journey toward full membership. And as we journey with them, we are all reminded that growth in our faith is ongoing and lifelong.