The ideal is for there to be an OCIA or RCIA process available in every Roman Catholic
parish. Those who want to join an OCIA group should aim to attend one in the parish where they live. For those who wish to join, the OCIA process is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. There is no set timetable, and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and to take as much time as they need. Those who enter the process are expected to begin attending
Mass on Sundays, participate in regular faith formation activities, and to become increasingly involved in the activities of their local parish. The Second Vatican Council specifically ordered that "the methodology and the experiences of adult formation in the RCIA [should be] the pattern of growth for the whole Christian community". The outline below is based upon the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) approved for use in the dioceses of the United States, which includes additional rites for various circumstances and combinations.
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate The first stage of the OCIA, as outlined in paragraphs 36–40 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is described as "a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values." The duties of a sponsor are to journey with the catechumens through the process and provide a compelling witness in matters of faith. Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is very significant, so much so that unbaptized catechumens who are accepted will still receive a
Christian burial if they die during the Catechumenate. (not [90 – 94]) •
Blessings of the Catechumens [95 – 97] •
Anointing of the Catechumens [98 – 103] • Presentations {Optional} [104 – 105] • Sending of the Catechumens for Election (a meeting with the Bishop of Catechumens from many Parishes throughout a Diocese) {Optional} [106 – 117] An optional rite also pertains to this period for those who are baptized (candidates): • Rite of Sending the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop and for the Call to Continuing Conversion [434 – 445] There is also a combined optional rite if there are both catechumens and candidates in a parish: • Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop [530 – 546] The conclusion of this period leads onto the
Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names for those who are unbaptized and the
Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion for those who are baptized. This is a very significant and important step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent at the local
diocesan cathedral, led by the local
bishop. All of the Catechumens and Candidates, their
Godparents (for Catechumens), and Sponsors (for Catechumens and Candidates) gather together on this day, which may involve hundreds of people. The Church formally ratifies the Catechumens' readiness for the
Sacraments of Initiation and the Candidates' readiness to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church. In turn the Catechumens – from now on known as the Elect – publicly acknowledge their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, and the Candidates their desire to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church.
Second Step: Election or Enrollment of Names [118 – 128] The outline of this Rite is as follows [129 – 137]:
Liturgy of the Word • Homily • Presentation of the Catechumens • Affirmation by the Godparents [and the Assembly] • Invitation and Enrollment of Names • Act of Admission or Election • Intercessions for the Elect • Prayer over the Elect • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist This rite does not have to be a full Mass. In this case, there is no liturgy of the Eucharist, and thus no dismissal of the elect.
Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion [446 – 449] The outline of this rite is as follows [450 – 458]:
Liturgy of the Word • Homily • Presentation of the Candidates for Confirmation and Eucharist • Affirmation by the Sponsors [and the Assembly] • Act of Recognition • General Intercessions • Prayer over the Candidates • [Dismissal of the Assembly] – if the Eucharist is not to be celebrated
Liturgy of the Eucharist Combined Rite [547 – 549] Where there are both catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized) in a diocese there is the option of a combined rite at this stage. This rite is formally known as
The (Combined) Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates Who are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. The outline of this rite is as follows [550 – 561]:
Celebration of Election • Presentation of the Catechumens • Affirmation by the Godparents [and the Assembly] • Invitation and Enrollment of Names • Act of Admission or Election
Celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion • Presentation of the Candidates • Affirmation by the Sponsors [and the Assembly] • Act of Recognition • Intercessions for the Elect and the Candidates • Prayer over the Elect and the Candidates • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist Period of Purification and Enlightenment [138 – 149] This period tends to correspond with
Lent and is intended to be a period of increased discernment and coming closer to God. The aim of this period is to eliminate what is weak and sinful, and affirm what is holy. During this period the Elect undertake a number of Rites, including the Scrutinies and Presentations: The outlines of these rites are as follows: » First Scrutiny (3rd Sunday of Lent) [150 – 156]:
Liturgy of the Word • Readings •
Homily • Invitation to Private
Prayer • Intercessions for the Elect • Exorcism • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist » The Presentation of the Creed (3rd Week of Lent) [157 – 163]:
Liturgy of the Word • Readings • Homily • Presentation of the
Creed • Prayer over the Elect • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist » Second Scrutiny (4th Sunday of Lent) [164 – 170]:
Liturgy of the Word • Readings • Homily • Invitation to Private Prayer • Intercessions for the Elect • Exorcism • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist » Third Scrutiny (5th Sunday of Lent) [171 – 177]:
Liturgy of the Word • Readings • Homily • Invitation to Private Prayer • Intercessions for the Elect • Exorcism • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist » The Presentation of the Lord's Prayer (ideally the fifth Week of Lent) [178 – 184]:
Liturgy of the Word • Readings • Homily • Gospel (Presentation of the
Lord's Prayer) • Homily • Prayer over the Elect • Dismissal of the Elect
Liturgy of the Eucharist » Preparation Rites on
Holy Saturday [185 – 192]: • Recitation of the Creed [193 – 196] •
Ephphetha [197 – 199] • Choosing a Baptismal Name [200 – 202] • Concluding Rites [203 – 205] The Candidates meanwhile prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation with an optional
Penitential Rite Scrutiny [459 – 472]. This takes place on the second Sunday of Lent.
The Easter Vigil At the
Easter Vigil the celebration of the
sacraments of initiation takes place,
Baptism,
Confirmation, and
Holy Communion; according to the latest USCCB guidelines, this ceremony is to be reserved for Catechumens, so that no confusion will arise among the congregation about who is becoming a Christian (Catechumens) and who is merely being confirmed as a Catholic (Candidates). The guidelines also state that the formation process for Candidates—including its length—should be decided on a case-by-case basis and ideally conclude with a Confirmation at a regular Sunday Mass other than (and typically well before) Easter Vigil. At such a Mass, Candidates (having already been baptized) need only celebrate Confirmation and the Eucharist. At the Easter Vigil, the Elect celebrate all of the sacraments of initiation; they are thereafter called Neophytes and they are considered to be full members of the Christian faithful. The Rites used to confer these Sacraments are outlined below. At some college campuses that have spring breaks during Holy Week, initiation for both the baptized and the unbaptized is often done during the weeks after Easter, so more of the community can be present.
Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation [206 – 217] The
Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation is the Rite undertaken by the Elect (unbaptized). The outline of this Rite is as follows [218 – 243]:
Liturgy of the Word Celebration of Baptism • Presentation of the Elect • Invitation to Prayer •
Litany of the Saints • Blessing of the Baptismal Waters • Profession of Faith: – Renunciation of Sin- Profession of the Catholic Faith by the Catechumens and Candidates • Baptism • Explanatory Rites: • [Anointing after Baptism] – if Confirmation is separated from the Catechumen's Baptism • [Clothing with a Baptismal Garment] – optional • Presentation of a Lighted Candle
Celebration of Confirmation • Invitation • Laying on of Hands • Anointing with
Chrism The confirmation can take place at the same time as the baptism, by anointing with the oil immediately after the pouring of the water.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises (at the Easter Vigil) for the congregation • Invitation • Renewal of Baptismal Promises: • Renunciation of Sin • Profession of Faith • Sprinkling with Baptismal Water
Liturgy of the Eucharist The Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into the full Communion of the Catholic Church [473 – 486] The Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into the full Communion of the Catholic Church is the Rite undertaken by the Candidates (baptized). The outline of this Rite (within Mass) is as follows [487 – 498]:
Liturgy of the Word • Readings • Homily
Celebration of Reception • Invitation • Profession of Faith • Act of Reception • [Confirmation]: – omitted if the Candidate has already been Confirmed • Laying on of Hands • Anointing with Chrism • Celebrant's Sign of Welcome • General Intercessions • Sign of Peace
Liturgy of the Eucharist The Combined Rite [562 – 565] Where there are both Elect (unbaptized) and Candidates (baptized) in a Parish there is the option of a combined Rite at this stage. This Rite is formally known as
The (Combined) Celebration at the Easter Vigil of the Sacraments of Initiation and of the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. The outline of this rite is as follows [566 – 594]:
Service of Light Liturgy of the Word Celebration of Baptism • Presentation of the Elect • Invitation to Prayer • Litany of the Saints • Prayer over the Water • Profession of Faith: • Renunciation of Sin • Profession of Faith • Baptism • Explanatory Rites • [Anointing after Baptism] – if Confirmation is separated from the Catechumen's Baptism • [Clothing with a Baptismal Garment]- optional • Presentation of a Lighted Candle
Renewal of Baptismal Promises • Invitation • Renewal of Baptismal Promises: • Renunciation of Sin • Profession of Faith • Sprinkling with Baptismal Water
Celebration of Reception • Invitation • Profession by the Candidates • Act of reception
Celebration of Confirmation • Invitation • Laying on of Hands • Anointing with Chrism
Liturgy of the Eucharist == Application to post-baptismal formation ==