Dec 03, 2024

Many may be familiar with the process used by the Catholic Church to bring people into Catholic faith.  This process is called RCIA, which stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  However, this process is getting a makeover and will be renamed as OCIA, or the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.  Why the change?

The RCIA was a misnomer from the beginning.  The rite refers to the liturgical books that outline the structure and provide the text for the various rites.  But it wasn’t supposed to refer to the overall process.  The other issue is that being modern North Americans we think in terms of being in a class.  But the RCIA was never intended to be a class.  It was a process that was combined of a few elements; one of which were opportunities to learn what the Church teaches.

In renaming this process OCIA, the Church hopes to communicate that those involved are placed into an order of the Church and that formation is intended  to take place as they make their way through that process.  This presents a great opportunity to take a look at the process again and understand what is intended.

RCIA/OCIA is not a class.  However, it often looks like one.  We typically begin in the fall and those entering the Church are received in the spring at the Easter Vigil.  But the rite, both old and new, makes clear that the process is intended to be gradual and geared toward each individual.  It could take several years or only a few months. 

RCIA/OCIA begins with an inquiry period.  This allows people the freedom to check it out without making any commitments.  Then follows a time of formal catechesis that lasts as long as is necessary for each individual.  Once the catechumenal process is completed and some are ready to receive initial sacraments and be welcomed into the Church, they will begin a roughly 6 week period known as Election.  This is a time of prayer and reflection to prepare them for initiation.  Then they are initiated with the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.  This usually takes place at the Easter Vigil.  Finally, they conclude with a period called Mystagogy, a time of reflecting on the Mysteries, or Sacraments they have received.

From what has been said it should be clear that people can make inquiry at any time and could enter the catechumenate when they are ready.  If you, or someone you know, has been thinking about learning more about the Catholic Church, contact me at 330-836-2233 ext. 134 or email me at johnsonk@stsebastian.org.

The new text for OCIA has just been released and we just had it's arrival.  We will implement it as early as this Advent.  It must be implemented by the beginning of Lent, 2025.  Keep an eye out to watch for the change.  But it’s certainly ok to begin to use the new terminology and tell your friends about OCIA.

Keith Johson
Parish Catechetical Leader
St. Sebastian Parish