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Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA Cheat Sheet
OCIA Periods Overview Chart
National Statutes for OCIA
The new OCIA may be used beginning 12/1/2024. Full implementation of the OCIA must be in place beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
OCIA is the process by which non-Catholics and adult Catholics receive the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). It is the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ.
The goals of the OCIA are:
- to reveal God's love to the individual to encourage and nurture a free response of love,
- to strengthen their faith through knowledge of God's Divine Revelation and the fullness of truth that is present in the Catholic Church, and
- to give them access to the grace of the sacraments to fuel their lifelong relationship with God and their personal growth in virtue and holiness.
OCIA Journey
The OCIA is a journey of faith that takes place in stages that allow for the work of grace and the free will of the individual to work together to bring them into greater union with God and His Church. These stages are:
- Evangelization
- Catechumenate
- Purification and Enlightenment
- Mystagogy
Click on the sections below to expand them and view more information.
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate (Period overview in OCIA paragraphs 36-40.)
This period "is of great importance and should not normally be omitted. For within it takes place that evangelization in which the living God is confidently and constantly proclaimed, together with the one whom He sent for the salvation of all, Jesus Christ, so that as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts, non-Christians may be freely converted to the Lord as believers and sincerely hold fast to Him so...fulfills all their spiritual expectations, and indeed infinitely surpasses them." (OCIA paragraph 36)
Care should be taken in this period to powerfully, intentionally, and prayerfully reveal God's love, mercy, and plan of salvation to the individuals participating so that they may open their hearts to God's love, turn away from sin, and grow in their desire to receive the sacraments so that they can be more united to God and His Church.
Period of the Catechumenate (Period overview in OCIA paragraphs 75-80.)
This period "is a lengthy period during which catechumens receive pastoral instruction and practice appropriate disciplines; by the help of these their spiritual frame of mind...is brought to maturity." (OCIA paragraph 70)
The goals of this period are: (OCIA paragraph 75)
- A complete and systematic presentation of the doctrines of the Church,
- An exposure to the practice of the Christian life to help the catechumens grow in prayer, outlook, and the moral life.
- Participation in suitable liturgical rites that "gradually cleanse and sustain [them] with divine blessing."
- A growing cooperation by the catechumens to participate "in evangelization and the building up of the Church by the testimony of their life and their profession of faith."
Period of Purification and Enlightenment (Period overview in OCIA paragraphs 138-140.)
"In this period, the elect together with the local community give themselves to spiritual recollection, so that they may prepare themselves for the Paschal Feasts and for Initiation by the Sacraments." (OCIA paragraph 138.)
This period is dedicated to intense prayer and reflection to help the Elect purify their hearts and minds in preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. This is not a period of catechesis. In fact, no new doctrine should be presented to the Elect at this time.
Period of Mystagogy (Period overview in OCIA paragraphs 244-251.)
This period is the lifelong period for all members of the Church. This period is intended, "by meditation on the Gospel, participation in the Eucharist, and by the exercise of charity" to help the Christian understand the Paschal Mystery more deeply and live it in their daily life.
Contacts:
Laura Nelson
Director of Faith Formation
817-945-9351
Julie Kiehlbauch, MS
Executive Assistant
817-945-9358
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