What is the O.C.I.A.?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the “typical setting of initiation, catechesis and mystagogy” and “a training period for the whole Christian life.” [1]
More than a program with an unvarying timeline and curriculum, the OCIA is a process of evangelizing catechesis, rooted in the core message of salvation and adapted to the needs of each individual. The process unfolds gradually and in stages and is designed to facilitate or deepen the conversion and assist participants in becoming or growing as disciples of Jesus Christ through the sacramental life of the Church.
Hardcopies of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults can be purchased here.
The Pre-catechumenate
The first phase of the OCIA process, often referred to as “inquiry,” has “no fixed duration or structure.”[2] In this period, an individual first expresses interest in becoming Catholic, begins to experience the first stirrings of faith and “feels called away from sin and into the profound mystery of divine love.”[3]
With the help of the pastor and his delegates, individuals are encouraged to discern their relationship with Christ and how this can be deepened through the sacraments of Initiation (for those who are unbaptized) or the reception into full communion with the Catholic Church (for those who were validly baptized in a Protestant church).
For those who are unbaptized (catechumens) this period concludes with the celebration of the Rite of Entrance into the Order of Catechumens. Those who are already baptized (candidates) participate in the Rite of Welcoming the Candidates. These Rites can be celebrated two or three times a year if necessary.[4]
The Rite of Election into the Order of Catechumens
In this Rite[5] the inquirer states publicly that he or she wants to become a Baptized member of the Catholic Church. The Church, through the local parish community, affirms this desire to follow God’s call.
Following the Rite of Entrance, the “catechumens, whom Mother Church already embraces as her own with love and care, and who are joined to her, already belong to the house of Christ, for they are fed by the Church with the word of God and the aid of the liturgy.”[6] Catechumens are now considered “converts.” If they die during their catechumenate, they receive a Christian funeral.[7]
The Rite of Entrance should not be omitted
Candidates who have already been baptized and are seeking full communion in the Catholic Church, are formally accepted through the Rite of Welcoming the Candidates.[8]
For the Combined Rites of Entrance and Welcome, see OCIA #’s 505-506 ff
The Catechumenate
This second phase is an extended period which ordinarily lasts from “at least the Easter Time of one year until the Easter Time of the next year.”[9] The length of this period should be long enough for conversion to deepen and faith to mature.[10] This is a time of comprehensive formation, “rooted in Sacred Scripture, the truths of Catholic Doctrine and the moral life.[11]
Formation in this period should be systematic, “divided into steps and fully presented”[12] leading participants “not only to a suitable knowledge of dogmas and precepts, but also to an intimate knowledge of the mystery of salvation, which they desire to make their own.”[13]
The Rite of Election
The Combined Rites of Election and Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion is celebrated by the Bishop at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River on the 1st Sunday of Lent.
This rite is mandatory for all catechumens and their sponsors.
Pastors whose catechumens cannot attend the Rite of Election must request permission from the bishop before the beginning of Lent in order to celebrate this rite in their parish.
The Rite of Election includes the official enrollment of names of all those seeking Baptism at the Easter Vigil. At this Rite the catechumens publicly request Baptism and declare their desire to make a faith commitment to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.
Candidates are encouraged to attend the Rite of Calling to Continuing Conversion with their sponsors
Period of Purification and Enlightenment
This stage normally coincides with the liturgical season of Lent. It is a time “given to a more intense preparation of spirit and heart, which has the character of recollection rather than of catechesis.”[14]
During this period, a diocesan retreat is offered to the Elect and candidates, as well as their formators to assist in their immediate preparation for Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
The Scrutinies
The Scrutinies are three mandatory Rites proper to the Period of Purification in which the Elect are invited to progress in their understanding of the gravity of sin and their desire for salvation.
See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults #’s 141-146 ff.
The Scrutinies are to take place at Sunday Mass on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent, using the Cycle A Readings in the Lectionary.[15]
Candidates do not participate in the Scrutinies. The Penitential Rite (OCIA #’s 459-463 ff) may be celebrated with candidates on the 2nd Sunday of Lent or on a weekday of Lent.
The Presentations
The Handing on of the Creed and the Handing on of the Lord’s Prayer may take place during the third and fifth weeks of Lent respectively.
- See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults #’s 147-149 ff.
The Sacraments of Initiation
The final step in the OCIA process is the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist by which the Elect are fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
- See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults #’s 206-217 ff.
While the reception of candidates into full communion with the Catholic Church can take place at the Easter Vigil, it is preferable that it take place at a Sunday during the Easter Season or if the situation warrants, at a Sunday Mass, by making a profession of faith.
If there are both catechumens to be Baptized and Baptized Christians to be received into full communion at the Vigil, for pastoral reasons the combined rite is to be followed.[16]
Candidates for full communion into the Catholic Church celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation prior to reception of the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
- See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults #’s 473-486 ff.
The faculty to Confirm a Baptized Christian candidate (ie. non-Catholic) is granted to the priest by law. Pastors do not have to request faculties from Bishop.
For the Combined Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation and the Rite of Reception at the Easter Vigil, see OCIA #’s 562-565 ff.
Mystagogy and the Neophyte Year
The Church refers to those who are newly initiated as “Neophytes” meaning “newly planted.” In the same way that a fragile, newly planted sapling would not be left on its own, the faith of Neophytes must be attentively tended to and assisted during this period before they depart from the structured environment of the catechumenate.
Neophytes should be led to reflect deeply on their experience of becoming full members of the Church at the Easter Vigil. The period is marked by meditation on the Gospel, participation in the Eucharist, the exercise of charity and by deepening the appreciation and integration of the mysteries of salvation more and more into the practice of daily life.[17]
While the period of Mystagogy formally concludes following the solemn feast of Pentecost, this phase, where one gains a “fuller and more fruitful understanding of the mysteries,”[18] ideally, some manner of structured environment which can cultivate future growth should be provided by the parish. Small group ministry can be ideally suited to this purpose.
[1] Directory for Catechesis, #63
[2] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Outline, p. 26
[3] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Outline, p. 37
[4] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, # 18
[5] See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, #41-47 ff
[6] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, #47
[7] ibid
[8] See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, #411-415 ff
[9] National Statutes for the Christian Initiation of Adults, Norm 4
[10] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, # 76
[11] National Statutes for the Christian Initiation of Adults, Norm 6
[12] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, # 75
[13] ibid.
[14] ibid., # 139
[15] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, #146
[16] Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, #’s 562-565 ff
[17] See Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, #244
[18] ibid., #245