What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church in the first and second centuries.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The OCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."
Likewise, the language used in the OCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.
All are Welcome!
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Traditionally, OCIA has been focused on catechizing (instructing) people who are not baptized to move toward receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The process also focuses on adults who are baptized but want to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. This year, we want to open the program to any adult Catholic who wishes to learn more about the faith and deepen their experience of the Catholic faith and our community of faith here at St. Ann. Call the Parish Office for more information (386) 668-8270.
OCIA Facilitators - Alan & Diane Rettig
The Second Vatican Council clearly taught that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian Life.” In 2019, the Pew Forum released the results of a survey of Catholics regarding their belief in the Eucharist. Only one third of those questioned believe the Church’s official teaching that Jesus is really, truly, and substantially present under the appearance of bread and wine. Two-thirds held the belief that the bread and wine are merely symbolic of Jesus’ presence. This survey was not of all Christians but only of Catholics. This is a spiritual catastrophe. The Eucharist is the axel around which our Catholicism revolves. Eucharistic theology must be presented in its entirety for the precise reason that it not only needs to be understood but so that we might love the Lord more completely.
To this end we will use the book This Is My Body by Bishop Robert Barron as one of our texts as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
There are many facets to the diamond in the rough that is the Catholic faith. We will cover the following as part of the catechesis leading to the reception into
the Catholic Church.
Knowledge of the faith
Revelation, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, Creed, Trinity, Satan
The Mass and liturgical practices
Sacraments
Moral Formation
Commandments
Magisterium of the church
Formation of Conscience
Prayer
Our Father
Marian Devotions and popular piety
Life and Mission of the Church
Dignity of the human person
Catholic Social Teaching
Ecumenical dimensions
Missionary Spirit
Catholic Christian presence in society
Evangelization
Evil in the world
OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are
non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the
Roman Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
OCIA is a Journey
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:
List of Services
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Pre-CatechumenateList Item 1
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
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Order of InitiationList Item 2
The first Order in the OCIA process, the Order of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Order of ElectionList Item 4
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
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Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the OCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
OCIA Team
People journeying through the OCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The OCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
