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IT’S ALL ABOUT RITES, PRAYER AND COMMUNITY
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a journey of faith through four periods of time punctuated by special rites and prayers at moments of transition and need.
A person interested in becoming a Catholic begins in the period of Inquiry. Inquirers learn the basics of the Catholic religion such as the Mass, prayers, sacraments, the Bible and a tour of the church. When unbaptized persons are ready to continue their faith journey, they celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Period called the Catechumenate. They are then called Catechumens. Those already baptized in another faith tradition celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and are called Candidates because they are preparing for reception into the Catholic Church and the reception of Confirmation and First Communion. During this period both study the Sunday scriptures and teachings of the Church. At these sessions OCIA Team Members, Sponsors, Pastors and Deacons join in exploring what it means to be a Catholic and grow in the faith.
When they are ready, Catechumens celebrate the Rite of Election and Candidates celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion before the Bishop at a large Archdiocesan gathering. This rite opens the period of Purification and Enlightenment (Lent). During this time the OCIA Sessions become a sort of six week retreat filled with prayer, reflection and preparation for the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Candidates celebrate the Penitential Rite and Catechumens celebrate the three Scrutinies at a Sunday Mass to prepare them and the whole faith community for the reception of the Easter Sacraments. On Holy Saturday morning the Preparation Rites offer a time of final prayer and preparation to Catechumens and Candidates and their sponsors and godparents.
OCIA doesn’t end with Baptism and the reception of Confirmation and First Communion at the Easter Vigil. The period of Mystagogy continues until Pentecost during which the team members and Neophytes (“Newly Baptized” or “Newly Received”) explore the mysteries of the sacraments, Mass and other aspects of being fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
Throughout this faith journey, the support of the faith community is crucial. During OCIA Sessions the representatives of the community pray with and for the Catechumens and Candidates. The support of the community during and after the public rites strengthens the Catechumens and Candidates to continue the journey.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a journey of faith through four periods of time punctuated by special rites and prayers at moments of transition and need.
A person interested in becoming a Catholic begins in the period of Inquiry. Inquirers learn the basics of the Catholic religion such as the Mass, prayers, sacraments, the Bible and a tour of the church. When unbaptized persons are ready to continue their faith journey, they celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Period called the Catechumenate. They are then called Catechumens. Those already baptized in another faith tradition celebrate the Rite of Welcoming and are called Candidates because they are preparing for reception into the Catholic Church and the reception of Confirmation and First Communion. During this period both study the Sunday scriptures and teachings of the Church. At these sessions OCIA Team Members, Sponsors, Pastors and Deacons join in exploring what it means to be a Catholic and grow in the faith.
When they are ready, Catechumens celebrate the Rite of Election and Candidates celebrate the Call to Continuing Conversion before the Bishop at a large Archdiocesan gathering. This rite opens the period of Purification and Enlightenment (Lent). During this time the OCIA Sessions become a sort of six week retreat filled with prayer, reflection and preparation for the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Candidates celebrate the Penitential Rite and Catechumens celebrate the three Scrutinies at a Sunday Mass to prepare them and the whole faith community for the reception of the Easter Sacraments. On Holy Saturday morning the Preparation Rites offer a time of final prayer and preparation to Catechumens and Candidates and their sponsors and godparents.
OCIA doesn’t end with Baptism and the reception of Confirmation and First Communion at the Easter Vigil. The period of Mystagogy continues until Pentecost during which the team members and Neophytes (“Newly Baptized” or “Newly Received”) explore the mysteries of the sacraments, Mass and other aspects of being fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
Throughout this faith journey, the support of the faith community is crucial. During OCIA Sessions the representatives of the community pray with and for the Catechumens and Candidates. The support of the community during and after the public rites strengthens the Catechumens and Candidates to continue the journey.