July 13, 2025

The OCIA, or Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the Church's process for welcoming new members into the faith. It's a journey of conversion and formation for adults who are either unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholics who haven't completed their initiation. The process involves prayer, study, fellowship, and participation in the life of the parish community. The purpose of OCIA is to guide individuals in their relationship with Jesus and the Catholic Church, to provide a space for those seeking to explore the Catholic faith, and to prepare individuals for the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Holy Communion). As I shared a couple of weeks ago, we have four young ladies who are baptized in another Christian tradition who are inquiring into the Catholic church in our AFC (Sara Bailey, Chloe Kahley, Hailey Mohr, and Kayla Rohlik). Please keep them in your prayers, because the OCIA process (particularly the "Call to Continuing Conversion" rite that they are involved in) involves: 1. Period of Inquiry: This initial stage involves exploring the Catholic faith without any obligation to continue. It's a time for questions, reflection, and discernment about a life of faith in Christ and the Catholic Church. (This beginning process involves people, who like to learn more about the Catholic faith, ask questions and find out how do they can “sign-up?”) 2. Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance: For baptized Christians, this rite acknowledges them as members of the Faithful and welcomes them as candidates for Confirmation and Eucharist. (We will be doing this on Sunday at St. Anne’s Mass – it will be livestreamed) 3. Period of the Catechumenate: Although they are not Catechumens themselves (this involves the unbaptized), this period involves deeper learning about Catholic beliefs, life, liturgy, and apostolic work. It's a time for nurturing and growth in faith and conversion. 4. Rite of Sending: Candidates, with their sponsors, are brought before the faith community, who offer blessings and prayers as they are sent to the Bishop for the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. (Because we started later, we were unable to celebrate this in our AFC) 5. Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion: This rite marks a significant point in the journey for both catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized). Parish representatives present the candidates to the bishop. The candidates' sponsors attest to their readiness, growth in faith and love, and deepening appreciation of their baptism. The assembly acknowledges their support, and the bishop formally recognizes the candidates' desire to receive the sacraments, calling them to "Continuing Conversion". (We were unable to celebrate this as well – see #4) 6. Period of Purification and Enlightenment: This focuses on intense spiritual preparation, reflection, and formal instruction. Candidates are invited to join the Church in practices like charity and fasting. 7. Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: At the Easter Vigil (or in our case, we will be celebrating this when the candidates are ready), candidates are received into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. (We will be celebrating this at St. Catherine) 8. Period of Mystagogy: This final stage, from Easter to Pentecost, involves reflecting on the sacraments received and integrating into the Church community. It's a reminder that initiation is a starting point, not an end, and calls for a lifelong commitment to conversion. (This process will continue for a short period of time afterwards) Essentially, for those already baptized, the OCIA process, guides them towards a deepening of their existing faith, a fuller understanding and appreciation of their baptism, and the reception of the sacraments that will bring them into full communion with the Catholic Church. It's a journey of ongoing spiritual growth and commitment to living a life rooted in the Catholic tradition. The reason I share all this is because this weekend we will be celebrating the Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance of our 4 candidates at Sunday’s 8am Mass at St. Anne. Again, please pray for these candidates and their discernment that they may be open to the fullness of God’s grace in the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist that we look forward to celebrating soon.