Oder of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) (older than 18 yo)
Are you interested in becoming Roman Catholic, or are you baptized Roman Catholic but have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist, or are you already baptized in another Christian tradition and desire full communion with the Roman Catholic Church? Join The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Classes will begin on September 16th, 2025. Registrations close on September 8th. Please register online or contact Fr. Gonzalo 919-281-0723 or [email protected] .
Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are the three sacraments of initiation. By these one is incorporated into Christ and His Church.
The process of an adult becoming a Catholic has four distinct phases:
The process of an adult becoming a Catholic has four distinct phases:
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1. Inquiry Phase
The Inquiry is intended for those first encountering the Catholic faith. What questions has the encounter raised? Does the inquirer hold any beliefs that would prevent him or her from feeling at one with Catholic teaching? Our parish usually holds Inquiry sessions during the summer, but inquirers are welcome to contact the parish for more information any time. The inquiry phase ends with: The Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate We celebrate a Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate at one of the weekend Masses to welcome the inquirer into our community as a Catholic worshiper. Those present offer their prayers and support for the participant's journey. At this point, the individual is considered a member of the Catholic community, but is not yet in full communion (does not yet celebrate the Eucharist). 2. Catechumenate Phase Each Sunday at Mass, catechumens and candidates for full reception into the church listen to the scriptures at Mass and then leave to reflect on the Word and its meaning in their lives. Additionaly there are monthly catechetical sessions from September through June. During this phase, those who have not been baptized are known as a catechumens. In order that catechumens may experience the fullness of the liturgical year, the church asks that catechumens walk with us on our faith journey for a full year before receiving the sacraments of initiation, hearing the proclamation of scripture and exploring the teachings of the Church. If the inquirer has already been baptized in another faith tradition but is seeking to enter into full communion with the Catholic church through Confirmation and Eucharist, they are known as Candidates after Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate. Candidates are received into full communion, confirmed, and receive Eucharist on individual schedules that reflect each person's unique faith journey. |
3. Purification/ Enlightenment Phase
Lent begins the Period of Purification and Enlightenment which serves as a time of final preparation for initiation into the Church. The time of Enlightenment focuses on the Catholic traditions of prayer, fasting, and reflection, and peaks at Easter Vigil when the catechumens celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. This phase formally begins with: The Rite of Sending/Election In the Rite of Sending, which occurs at the beginning of the Lenten season, the catechumens sign the Book of the Elect, signifying their intention to be baptized. After signing the book, the community sends them to celebrate the Rite of Election with the Bishop and all other catechumens in the diocese. At this rite, the sponsors and OCIA catechists attest to the diligence of the catechumens in preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation. The Bishop affirms the action of God in calling - or electing - them to baptism, and from that time on the catechumens are called the Elect, and enter into the Enlightenment phase of the OCIA. The purification and enlightenment phase culminates at the Easter Vigil when the Elect are bathed in the waters of Baptism, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are anointed with Sacred Chrism in Confirmation, and join the people of God in the meal of Thanksgiving, the Eucharist. 4. Mystagogy Phase During Mystagogy, or "interpretation of mysteries," the newly initiated members, called neophytes, reflect on and further explore the meaning of their Easter experiences. This last phase of the OCIA process is also the first stage of the rest of their lives of faith because the life of a Christian is a continuous journey of faith and conversion with the community of believers toward new life in the Kingdom of God. For more information on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, please contact Fr. Gonzalo at 919-2810723 or [email protected]. |
Order of Christian Initiation Adapted for Children
Children who are seven years old and older seeking baptism must be involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) adapted for children. This is a two-year process culminating in the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. We welcome inquiries about the process by contacting Joel Musser at 919-281-0720.
Children who are seven years old and older seeking baptism must be involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) adapted for children. This is a two-year process culminating in the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. We welcome inquiries about the process by contacting Joel Musser at 919-281-0720.