Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
-
Events
-
-
What is OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) is a restoration of an ancient process for incorporating unbaptized persons into Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The process was restored after the Second Vatican Council, but did not become widely available in the United States until late in the 1980s. The local Catholic archbishop determines how RCIA will be administered in the parishes under his care.
The Catholic Church welcomes non-Catholics who may be interested in learning about the Catholic faith or who may be interested in joining the Catholic Church. We provide a faith formation process to assist and support persons as they become Catholic Christian. OCIA is an acronym for this process: Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
-
OCIA at St. Clare
OCIA is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA). This program is for adults who are interested in the Catholic Church. In the program are catechumens; those who have not been baptized and candidates; those who have been baptized in another faith or baptized in the Catholic faith with no catechesis.
The Vision of the OCIA is to journey with those interested in the Catholic faith to come to know and love Jesus and the key tenets of the faith. Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, baptized or unbaptized is welcome.
Classes are held at St. Paul on Wednesdays. Breaking Open the Word will held at St. Clare beginning Sept., 17 at the 9:00 Mass.
-
-
-
-
-
Who is OCIA for?
Children over age seven and adults, who are not baptized, or who were baptized in another Christian tradition. (An age-appropriate faith formation process is provided for children over age seven.)
Baptized Roman Catholic adults who have not yet celebrated both Confirmation and Eucharist.
Children over age seven who are members of the Catholic Church prepare for First Communion and Confirmation through their parish's youth faith formation process rather than through the RCIA process.
Children under age seven also do not participate in the OCIA. An un-baptized child under age seven may be baptized at the request of a Catholic parent who agrees to raise the child as a Catholic Christian. Similarly, a child under age seven who was baptized in another Christian tradition may be received into the Catholic Church at the request of a Catholic parent. When a parent of a child under age seven becomes Catholic through the RCIA process, her/his child can sometimes become Catholic at the same liturgy during which the parent becomes Catholic.
Catholic adults who have already celebrated First Communion but are not yet confirmed may prepare for Confirmation through a faith formation process designed especially for their needs.
-
The Four Stages of OCIA
The RCIA is experienced in four stages. Various liturgical rituals mark turning points between and within the stages. The four stages of the RCIA process are:
- Precatechumenate or Inquiry: This first stage of the OCIA provides inquirers with introductory information about and experience of the Catholic Church. Inquirers usually gather with a catechist for faith sharing and to have their questions about the Catholic faith addressed. Participating in the Precatechumenate does not require any commitment on the part of the inquirer in regard to becoming Catholic.
- Catechumenate: This second stage of the OCIA is for those who are no longer inquirers and have now made a commitment toward becoming a Catholic Christian. Their formation usually includes: weekly catechetical sessions about the teachings of the Church; participation in weekly worship; and involvement in the Churchs mission and community life.
- Purification and Enlightenment: This third stage of the OCIA usually coincides with the Lenten season. It is the final preparation for celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. It is distinguished by increased periods of prayer and reflection. Under certain circumstances, individuals may celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at times other than Easter.
- Mystagogy: In this final stage, new Catholic Christians are invited to reflect on their experience of becoming Catholic and its ramifications for their future. The formal aspects of Mystagogy usually extend from Easter to Pentecost. However, since Mystagogy refers to our ever-deepening relationship with Jesus in the Church, this stage is understood to be a life-long experience for all Catholic Christians.
-
OCIA Terminology
- Catechumen: a person who has never been baptized. Catechumens celebrate all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- Candidate for Full Communion: a person who is already validly baptized in another Christian tradition. They are not re-baptized; they become Catholic by a Profession of Faith and the celebration of Confirmation and First Communion. Those who were confirmed in the Eastern or Orthodox Churches are not re-confirmed; they celebrate First Communion when becoming a Catholic Christian.
- Candidate: a baptized Catholic who has not yet celebrated both Confirmation and First Communion. They complete their initiation by the celebration of these two Sacraments.
- Sponsor: an adult companion in faith for someone who is becoming Catholic. Sponsors must be practicing, fully-initiated Catholics. As far as is possible, they attend the weekly Catechumenate sessions. They also support, encourage, and pray for the person they sponsor. Finally, they are present at the Rites and Sacraments of Initiation.
- Catechist: a trained teacher of the faith. The catechist is responsible for teaching Catholic doctrine and helping RCIA participants understand Catholic faith and practices.
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Catechumens, (i.e., those who are un-baptized), celebrate these three Sacraments together when they become Catholic. Persons who have already been validly baptized are not re-baptized. These persons complete their initiation as Catholics by celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist. Those who were confirmed in the Eastern or Orthodox Churches are not re-confirmed but celebrate Eucharist to complete their initiation when becoming Catholic.
-
-
-
Contact Us
-
Sr. Kathy Avery, OSMskaverystclarem.orgDirector of Religious Education -
-
-
-
RCIA FAQ'S
-
-
What is RCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is a restoration of an ancient process for incorporating unbaptized persons into Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The process was restored after the Second Vatican Council, but did not become widely available in the United States until late in the 1980s. The local Catholic archbishop determines how OCIA will be administered in the parishes under his care.
-
-
-
Who needs to attend?
People who have not received the sacrament of Baptism must attend RCIA for an extended period — ideally, a year, and preferably longer. The length of the process depends greatly on your readiness for the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
-
-
-
I’m baptized in another denomination. Do I need to attend OCIA?
That depends. The Catholic Church doesn’t rebaptize people who are already baptized. If you are baptized but never received any instruction in the faith, you should receive instruction now and finish any sacraments you didn’t complete. We strongly recommend OCIA, even if you have been well instructed in another faith tradition, since you will need to learn how the beliefs and practices you grew up with differ from the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. If you are a baptized and confirmed Catholic returning to the practice of the faith, you should talk to the RCIA Coordinator about how to proceed. We recommend that Catholics who have been away from the Church for many years (say, 10 or more) go through OCIA for the instruction.
-
-
-
Baptismal Certificate
To obtain a copy of your current baptismal certificate, write to your parish of baptism and request a current certificate. They will send you a sealed copy with all of your sacraments listed. Only the parish holding the original sacramental records may issue a certificate. For sake of the individual’s privacy, only the person him/herself, another Catholic parish for sacramental reasons, or a Catholic tribunal for annulment reasons may obtain a certificate. If the parish of baptism has been merged with another parish, contact the merged parish site. If you are unsure of the name of the merged parish or if the parish was closed within the Archdiocese of Detroit, contact AOD Archives – phone (313) 237-5864, fax (313) 596-7199, or email: [email protected]
If the parish was closed in another diocese, contact that diocesan archives office. If the catechist would prefer that the PCL/ DRE/Principal not review the current baptismal certificate for privacy issues, at the catechist’s preference, an affidavit signed and sealed by the pastor may be obtained instead. By signing the affidavit, the pastor is attesting that he has seen the original certificate and the catechist is a fully initiated Catholic who is able to receive all of the sacraments. Once the current baptismal certificate or signed and seal affidavit has been obtained, the PCL/DRE/Principal will verify that he/she has seen the certificate/affidavit by signing the Catechist Certification Reporting Form.
-
-
