Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)

What is it? RCIA is the process by which an adult or child over the age of reason (about 7 years old) is brought into full membership in the Catholic Church. For more information on our children's program, please click on the link to the left (Roots of Faith / RCI).

Who is it for? It is for those people who have not been baptized, those who have been baptized but in a different Christian faith, and those Catholics who have been baptized and are wanting to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion).

The Journey: Once you begin, you will follow these four steps: First, there is a Period of Inquiry. This is an informal stage where adults, with members of the RCIA team, will take time to answer concerns, address obstacles to their faith, and tell their stories connecting them with the faith stories found in scripture. Second is the Period of the Catechumenate when an inquirer becomes firm in his or her desire for initiation and decides to begin more formal study of the teachings and the practices of the Catholic Church. They are accepted into this stage through a special ceremony called the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, or the Rite of Welcome if they are already baptized. Third is the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. The period of the catechumenate ends when the participants discern, with the help of their sponsors and the parish RCIA team, that God is calling them to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the next Easter Vigil. The Rite of Election marks the beginning of Purification & Enlightenment, the spiritual preparation for celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation. This special time of retreat normally takes place during the Lenten season. The fourth and final step is the Initiation and Mystagogia. The Easter Vigil is the primary celebration of the Lord's Resurrection and is the most appropriate occasion to celebrate Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. The weeks after Easter offer a time for new Catholics to seek out their place in the community and they are encouraged to get involved in the parish. This is truly a faith journey that has no end; it lasts a lifetime.

If you are considering joining RCIA, contact the Faith Formation Office at 281-492-7500 to set up a meeting with Jenny McConnell, Adult Education Coordinator. or email at jenny@stedithstein.org.

Classes begin Sunday, September 15, 2024.