Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church welcomes those who were baptized outside the Church by making a profession of the Catholic faith and formally receiving them into the Church. This is usually followed by confirmation and the Eucharist. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a process for adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven) to enter the Catholic Church. It involves a period of catechetical and spiritual preparation, which includes learning the Church's teachings and making the first confession and First Communion. Those who were baptized in another Christian denomination can also join weekly inquiry sessions to share their stories and reflect on the meaning of their baptism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Process | Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) |
| Who is it for? | Adults who were baptized in another Christian denomination and want to become Catholic |
| What does it involve? | A period of catechetical and spiritual preparation, including learning the Church's teachings and making a first confession |
| How long does it take? | The length of preparation depends on the individual and their circumstances |
| When can it be celebrated? | Any time of the year, preferably in the context of Sunday Eucharist |
| What happens after preparation? | Individuals make a profession of the Catholic faith and are formally received into the Church, followed by confirmation and the Eucharist |
| Are there any special cases? | Yes, if there are doubts about the validity of a person's baptism, they will be given a conditional baptism |
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What You'll Learn
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
The OCIA is a journey of faith and conversion, and there is no set timetable. Those undertaking the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and take as much time as they need. It is a time of inquiry, where questions are raised and discussed freely, and seekers are known as Inquirers. During this initial phase, individuals are expected to begin attending Mass on Sundays and participating in regular faith formation activities, such as weekly inquiry sessions, where they can share their stories and reflect on the meaning of their baptism.
The next phase is the period of the catechumenate, during which Inquirers celebrate the rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. The catechumenate is a time of formation and instruction, where candidates are assisted by priests, deacons, and catechists. The length of this period is determined on an individual basis, depending on the person's readiness to be fully received into the Catholic Church.
The OCIA process concludes with the Rite of Election for those who are unbaptized and the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion for those who are baptized. This is a significant step where the Church formally recognizes the Catechumens' readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion) and the Candidates' readiness for full Communion with the Catholic Church.
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Making a profession of faith
The process of becoming Catholic for those who are already baptized is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). It involves a period of catechetical and spiritual preparation, which includes learning about the Catholic faith and deciding whether to embrace it. This preparation is necessary before one is ready to be received into the Church by making a profession of faith.
The profession of faith is a declaration of one's belief in and commitment to the Catholic Church. It is typically made during the Rite of Reception, in which the candidate formally expresses their desire to become a member of the Catholic Church. During this rite, the candidate may say: "I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God."
The profession of faith is often followed by the bishop or priest formally receiving the new member into the Church. They may say something along the lines of: " [Name], the Lord receives you into the Catholic Church. His loving kindness has led you here, so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have professed in the presence of his family."
After being received into the Church, the new member is typically administered the sacrament of confirmation and the Holy Eucharist, which involves receiving the Eucharist for the first time. This marks the individual's full initiation into the Catholic Church.
The length of preparation before making a profession of faith varies depending on the individual's circumstances and readiness. It is important to note that the Order of Reception of Baptized Candidates is not tied to a specific liturgical season, so it can be celebrated at any time of the year, preferably during Sunday Eucharist.
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Confirmation and the Eucharist
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and is a ritual through which the grace given in baptism is "strengthened and deepened". Those who have been baptised as Catholics but have not received confirmation are not considered catechumens, but some catechumenal formation is appropriate to their preparation for the sacrament. To receive confirmation, more instruction is required than for the Eucharist.
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a sacrament in which Catholics recall Christ's sacrifice of his body and blood and are brought into communion with him and with the Church. Any baptised person who is not forbidden by law may and must be admitted to Holy Communion. Those forbidden by law include children who are too young, uninstructed, or improperly disposed; people under a penalty of excommunication or interdict; those who have committed a mortal sin since their last confession; those who have already received the Eucharist that day; and those who have not fasted for an hour before going to Communion.
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Attending inquiry sessions
If you have been baptised in another Christian denomination and are considering becoming Catholic, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) provides a time of formation and discernment leading to reception into the Catholic Church. This process is also available to individuals who were baptised in a Catholic parish but did not receive religious education or participate in other sacramental rites.
The first step in this process is often a period of catechetical and spiritual preparation, the length of which is determined on an individual basis. This is followed by the Rite of Acceptance for the unbaptised, and a similar ceremony called the Rite of Welcoming for those who have been baptised.
During the OCIA process, individuals are invited to attend weekly inquiry sessions, usually held on Tuesday evenings. These sessions provide an opportunity for individuals to share their stories and reflect on the meaning of their baptism, while also allowing catechists (teachers of the faith) to assess the extent of their Christian formation and participation in a faith community. These conversations are crucial for determining the next steps in the journey towards becoming Catholic.
Inquiry sessions are a time for learning and asking questions. They cover the basic teachings of Catholicism, providing answers to any queries or concerns that individuals may have. These sessions also offer a glimpse into the community life of the parish church, helping newcomers understand how they can fit into the Catholic Church and find their place within it.
While the OCIA process is designed for those new to the Catholic Church, it is worth noting that individuals who were baptised as Catholics but did not receive catechetical instruction or other sacraments may still benefit from some elements of this formation.
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The Rite of Acceptance
For those who have been validly baptized outside the Catholic Church, becoming Catholic involves making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church, followed by confirmation and the Eucharist. The length of preparation for those who were already baptized candidates for full communion depends on their individual readiness and extent of their Christian formation and participation in a faith community.
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Frequently asked questions
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), is the process by which those who have been baptized outside the Catholic Church can become Catholics. This involves making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church, followed by confirmation and the Eucharist.
The RCIA is a process of formation and discernment that leads to reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church. It involves learning the basic teachings of Catholicism, finding answers to questions, and experiencing the community life of the parish church.
The length of time for preparation depends on an individual basis and their unique circumstances. This waiting period is a time of anxious longing and reflection, as becoming a Catholic is a momentous event.
