OCIA: a New Name!

During the Nov. 15-18 , 2021 General Meeting of the U.S. Bishops in Baltimore, some changes were made to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The rite is being updated and the name is changed from  RCIA to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). 

How Does One Become Catholic?

The means by with the Catholic faith community prepares, welcomes, and receives adults into the Catholic Church is called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly known as RCIA). Perhaps you or someone you know is considering becoming Catholic or would like to become Catholic but is unsure how to get started.  If this is the case, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish invites you to contact our parish office to discuss the beautiful and amazing journey of faith, through OCIA. 

Introduction to the ORDER of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Are you interested In learning more bout The Catholic Church? OCIA is the process by which one can - through their local Catholic Church - learn more about the Catholic faith. 

OCIA is to be a process, not a program. It forms a community of inquirers, sponsors and guides moving through the education, formation and ritualization of entrance into the Catholic community, whereby those interested in learning about the Catholic faith come together on a weekly basis to learn about the scriptures and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and at the same time, to discover where God is present in their lives.

The process is designed for those adults and children over the age of seven who are:

• The unbaptized - The primary focus of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is on those who are not already Christian and have not been catechized.

• Baptized but uncatechized - Those who have been baptized either as Roman Catholics or as members of another Christian community but did not receive further catechetical formation or instruction. These typically have also not celebrated confirmation nor Eucharist.

• Those seeking full Catholic Communion - These are baptized, practicing Christians from other denominations who seek entry into the Catholic Church.

In the case of children who have reached the age of reason, the proper pastor should be consulted for information about Baptism and the other Sacraments of Initiation.

OCIA is not for adult candidates for confirmation who have already received their First Eucharist in the Catholic Church. They should have their own formation process and be confirmed at a celebration other than the Easter Vigil.

History of OCIA

In the early days of the Church, small Christian communities took individuals into their group of believers and introduced them to their way of life. In those days, persecution of Christians was prevalent. Newcomers knew that commitment to this faith could lead them to imprisonment and death. Still, many longed to be members of this group.

By the 2nd and 3rd Centuries, initiation into the faith began to take on formal shape. This was the beginning of a “catechumenate.” Roman Emperor Constantine made the Christian Religion legal in 313 A.D. At that time, large numbers of men and women desired to join the Christian Community. Unfortunately, the quality of their preparation and catechesis was deficient.

By the 5th Century, most of the Western World professed to be Christian. Infant baptism was the traditional way by which one entered the Catholic Church. The period of "catechumenate" basically vanished until the 20th Century.

In the 20th Century, catechumenal structures began to be revived in Africa and in France. Catholic missionaries recognized the need for Christian traditions to be established in foreign countries. In France, problems arose because of the large number of non-practicing Catholics. At the Secpmd Vatican Council, the bishops voted to formally restore the catechumenate, with a vote of 2,165 Yesses, and only nine No’s (and one null vote). In 1966, the provisional ritual was published. This was followed by a second draft in 1969 distributed for experimentation.

In 1972 the Vatican promulgated the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and in 1986 the United States bishops approved additions to the Order and National Statutes and a national plan for implementation. In 1988 in the United States, the implementation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults became mandatory for all at the age of reason or older who have not yet been baptized.

Policy on OCIA

The Diocese of Shreveport requires every parish or mission to provide OCIA instruction for individuals over the age of six who are seeking entrance into the Church. In certain cases, the Diocesan Office of Catechetics and Worship will provide training and assistance for OCIA teams, and keep in contact with team leaders for resources and updates.
 

Stages of OCIA

The Period of Inquiry (Pre Catechumenate)

In the stage of evangelization and inquiry, the duration and structure are not necessarily fixed . This is a time when the contents of faith and the tradition of the Church are presented and questions are answered. It is a time for an introduction to gospel values and an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.

The period of Inquiry is a time for:

• asking questions about the Catholic faith

• building community within the group

• developing a trusting athmosphere.

More importantly, it is a time for:

• examining God's presence in our lives, past and present

• learning about prayer

• fostering conversion

• developing or improving our relationship with God

• getting to know his church.

We read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives.

We also discuss topics such as:

• What brought you to OCIA

• What is your image of God

• Prayer and liturgy

• Who is Jesus

• Who is the Holy Spirit

• Who is the Trinity

• The Saints

The Catechumenate (Study) Period

Through this time the individual, now welcomed into the faith begins the process of conversion - learning more about Catholic belief and his or her responsibility to God’s call.

The period of study (Catechumenate) is a time for:

• "Breaking Open the Word", or reading and discussing the Sunday Gospel

• Continuing to build community within the group

• Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community

• Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church.

More importantly, it is a time for:

• Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present

• Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish

• Fostering conversion

• Developing or improving our relationship with God

We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also discuss topics such as:

• Seasons of the Church

• Who is Jesus

• The 10 Commandments

• Bible

• The Incarnation

• Catechism of the Catholic Church

• Mary and the Rosary

• Sin, evil, guilt

• Morality

Period of Purification and Enlightenment

This time immediately precedes the Elect’s initiation. It is a time of reflection – intensely centered on conversion and on preparation for the rites on Holy Saturday.
The period of purification and enlightenment is a time for:

• repentance

• examining areas of sinfulness or weakness in our lives

• asking God's help in healing these areas

• prayer, fasting and almsgiving

• preparation for receiving the sacraments of initiation

We continue to read the Sunday Gospel for the week and discuss what it means to us in our lives. We also learn about:

• The 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church

• Initiation Healing Vocation

• Baptism Reconciliation Matrimony

• Confirmation Anointing of the Sick Holy Orders

• Eucharist

The Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis and Mystagogy

Now, through the Easter Season and beyond the newly initiated experience being full members of the Christian community by means of mystagogy, participation in parish ministry and sharing the Sunday Eucharistic celebrations.
The period of mystagogia is a time for:

• living a sacramental life

• living out the gospel way of life

• becoming more involved in the parish

We also discuss:

• Evangelization

• Stewardship

• Lay Ministry

We read the Sunday Gospel for the 8 weeks of the Easter season, including Pentecost, and discuss what it means to us in our lives. To learn more, please contact our Parish Office.