What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church in the first and second centuries.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The OCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."
Likewise, the language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.
OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
OCIA is a Journey
The OCIA is a process that allows the seeds of faith to grow over time, therefore there is no set timeframe. The OCIA process takes as much time as is necessary. It has several steps:
List of Services
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PrecatechumenateList Item 1
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
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Rite of Entrance into the CatechumenateList Item 2
Coming together in public, those entering the catechumenate manifest their will to the Church, and the Church, fulfilling her apostolic office, receives those who intend to become her members.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Rite of ElectionList Item 4
At the beginning of Lent, during the Rite of Election having heard the testimony of catechrists and godparents, with the catechumen confirming their intention, the Church discerns their state of preparation and allows them to proceed to the Paschal Sacraments. At the celebration of the "Rite of Election" the catechumenate phase comes to an end, and with it a long period of formation of heart and mind.
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Purification and Enlightenment
This phase takes place during the entire six weeks of Lent. It is a time of intense prayer and spiritual preperation for the liturgies of Holy Week, especially the Easter Vigil.Catechumens (now called "the elect") and candidates continue to meet weekly and to attend Sunday Mass as a group.
At the end of Lent, on the Saturday before Easter, the elect and the candidates are welcomed into full communion with Christ and his Church at the Easter Vigil. During the Liturgy, the unbaptized will receive the Sacrament of Baptism and those who have not been confirmed will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. All will receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
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Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the OCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Mystagogy
The newly initiated, now called "neophytes" continue to meet during the final stage of the OCIA process called Mystagogy. Mystagogia means "leading into the mystery" and it is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. During this phase, the neophytes will meet weekly to reflect on the experience of Easter, to share and celebrate their new life with Christ in the Church, and to prepare for their new life of full discipleship.
Sponsors
Each Catechumen and candidate is assigned an individual sponsor who serves as a mentor and friend in faith and prayer. By sharing his or her own faith and building an individual relationship with the catechumen or candidate, the sponsor is able to affirm the readiness of the sponsored adult to enter into full communion with Christ and his Church.
Each sponsor must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,Eucharist,and Confirmation)
and must be a practicing Catholic who is at least sixteen years old.
Catechumens and candidates can request that a friend or colleague be their sponsor, but parents may not serve in this role. For those who are baptized at Easter, the sponsor becomes the godparent.
Sponsors are chosen and assigned early in the process and should attend the Rite of Acceptance, Rite of Election, and the Easter Vigil (see below) with their catechumen or candidate. Sponsors should also be present at OCIA meetings and Sunday Mass as often as possible.
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In communion with the whole universal Church we welcome all who seek after the Lord with a sincere heart and look forward to sharing their journey of faith. there are many resources and many open hearts ready to assist you on your journey. Take the first step today and contact the OCIA team at OCIA.SKD@yahoo.com
