Becoming Catholic

Oct 15

ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (OCIA)

Whether you are a Catholic who never received Confirmation, a Christian of another denomination investigating what the Catholic faith is about, a person from a non-Christian background looking to become Catholic, or even a Catholic who is interested in learning more about the faith, OCIA is the place for you.

Eagle Catholic partners with St. Philip Catholic Church to provide instruction in the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. OCIA, formerly called "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)," is the process through which one is prepared to become a full member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Full membership in the Catholic Church involves a whole formation process, which includes the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Most Holy Eucharist. While coming to know Jesus and His invitation to become a disciple, the OCIA process involves the journey of faith and conversion.

The class meets weekly beginning in October at St. Philip Church (after the 9:30 am Mass) to explore the beauty of the Catholic faith through brief interactive talks and friendship. Other join in the journey to help those exploring the faith, and to explore their own faith more deeply.

Through the OCIA program, candidates can prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass each Spring. Sacraments of initiation include:

Baptism
First Holy Communion
Confirmation

The five main stages of OCIA:

Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate.

The Period of the Catechumenate is when the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means.

The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the Cathedral. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities.

The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education in the Period of Mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost. During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

What is meant by reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church?

Reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.

Although some preparation may be with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities. The Candidates may be received into the Catholic Church on a Sunday during the year or even at the Easter Vigil depending on pastoral circumstances and the readiness of the Candidate.

What about bringing a friend or a sponsor?

Each participant must have a sponsor to walk with him or her through each step of the process. You may choose your sponsor with our approval. Your sponsor must live in the USI area and must attend every class session with you during the Catechumenate and Purification period. The sponsor must be at least 16 years of age, a confirmed, practicing
Catholic, and not a parent.

Is there a ceremony or preparation for Catholics who never or seldom have practiced the faith?

For Catholics who have been baptized, confirmed and made First Communion but then drifted from the faith, the way they return is through the Sacrament of Penance. Catholics who were baptized as infants but did not receive catechesis receive Confirmation and/or the Eucharist after participation in a period of formation. This process of formation is completed with the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist, often at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter Season.

Tips to help you as you begin this journey

Eagle Catholic is here to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ, and the whole OCIA process is about growing in union with God. To start the process, you should: (1) begin learning prayers and building a habit of daily prayer; (2) be open to the fullness of Catholic teaching and life; and (3) begin to live according to the fullness of Catholic life even now (e.g., regarding doctrine and living the moral life). If you wish to seek instruction from another parish or learn more through other formations, please contact Anna Schulten (below).