PROCESS
Content on this page taken primarily from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) website.
Your journey of faith has brought you to inquire into the Catholic faith through the OCIA. It is our common journey to truth, happiness, joy, and love in the context of the Christian life.
OCIA stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is primarily a process of Christian formation for adults seeking to become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. It is designed for non-baptized men and women, adults previously baptized into another Christian faith, and Catholics who did not complete all of their Sacraments of Initiation. It is a gradual process during which enquirers can grow in faith and become full members of the Catholic Church.
There are four periods in the OCIA – The Pre-Catechumenate or Period of Evangelization, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. Each period has its own characteristics and there are rites associated with each period.
PRE-CATECHUMENATE
This first period consists of evangelization of the precatechumenate (those who are inquiring about the Catholic faith) by the Church. If after hearing the preaching of the Gospel and the Traditions of the Church handed down to us through Apostolic Succession they want to continue, they are then accepted into the Order of Catechumens through the Rite of Acceptance. This is a liturgical rite, usually celebrated on some annual date or dates, marking the beginning of the catechumenate proper, as the candidates express and the Church accepts their intention to respond to God’s call to follow the way of Christ.
CATECHUMENATE
This period is a period of faith formation marked by studying the Word of God, explanation of the teachings and Traditions of the Catholic Church (Catechesis), and the rites connected with OCIA catechesis. This is a time for the nurturing and growth of faith and conversion to God. It comes to an end with the Rite of Election, which is a liturgical rite, usually celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, by which the Church formally ratifies the catechumens’ readiness for the sacraments of initiation and the catechumens, now the elect, express the will to receive these sacraments.
PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
This period is designed for a more intense spiritual preparation, a time of reflection, marked by celebration of the Scrutinies on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent. The Catechumens are presented with the Nicene Creed and the Lord’s Prayer during this period. This period usually coincides with the Lenten preparation and culminates with the Easter celebration and the Sacraments of Initiation which is a liturgical rite, usually integrated into the Easter Vigil.
MYSTAGOGY
This final period is marked by the new experience of the sacraments and for entering more fully into the life and unity of the worshipping community. The newly initiated (Neophytes) are encouraged to participate in Parish ministries. It extends through the whole Easter Season ending with Pentecost, and is a time for deepening the Christian experience. Pentecost never ends. It is a period of ongoing formation for Christians.
EASTER VIGIL
GODPARENTS & SPONSORS
Godparents and Sponsors are persons who have known and assisted the Catechumens and Candidates and stand as witnesses to their moral character, faith, and intention. Godparents and Sponsors accompany the catechumens and candidates primarily at the Rite of Acceptance(St. Theresa.com), the Rite of Election, and at the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. Godparents and Sponsors should be chosen by the catechumens on the basis of spiritual example, good qualities, and friendship. They should be approved by the Priest. Godparents and Sponsors should be chosen before the Rite of Election (USCCB). A Godparent and Sponsor should:
- Be at least 16 years of age and mature enough to undertake this responsibility;
- Have received the three Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist;
- Be a member of the Roman Catholic Church. A baptized and believing Christian from a separated church or community may act as a godparent or Christian witness along with a Catholic godparent, at the request of the parents or Catechumen, and in accordance with the norms for various ecumenical cases.
- Not be under canonical penalty. This also means that they are not restricted from receiving the Eucharist during Mass.
- Live a life of faith
- Not be the mother or father
Not be a Catholic living in an invalid civil marriage