Christian Initiation (Baptism) of Older Children

Rooted in the traditions of the earliest disciples, the Order of Christian Initiation is the process of entering into the full communion of the Catholic Church - for both adults and children over the age of 6.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (and older children) as a process in which participants undergo “conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments."  Rooted in the practices of the Early Church, OCIA is the normal manner of preparing adults or older children for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. When fully accepted into the the OCIA program, these children are called Catechumens.

The period consists of study, exploration, community-building, and faith formation, with liturgical rites interspersed throughout. Any and all adults or older children who have a desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults/Children (OCIC). During this process, participants are introduced to the beliefs, teachings, liturgy, prayer, and life of the Catholic Church.

It is a Journey

OCIC is a process that proceeds over the course of two academic years. It has several steps:

  • For children, the formation process is a two-year journey. In this first year, they will learn about Salvation history and the tenets of the Catholic Faith. They will be placed in classes with students their age, already baptized, who are preparing for First Communion or Confirmation. This is a time for seeking and reflection, that culminates in the Rite of Acceptance (also called the Rite of Initiation) in November of their second year, wherein the parish community accepts, on behalf of the entire People of God, the new members into the community. At this point they become Catechumens.

  • The second year of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church and learning more about the sacraments the students will receive: Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. As with the first year of formation, students will be placed in classes with other students their age, already baptized, who may be preparing for First Communion or Confirmation.

  • At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, or at a special mass during the Easter Season, all of the students who are prepared to proceed will reach the end goal of the OCIC process, when they are formally welcomed into the Family of God through receiving Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

  • Taking place after their formal reception into the Catholic Church, this period is centered around further reflection and continuing community-building. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery", and the newly-initiated are called during this time to explore the deep mystery of the Faith and to go forth to spread the Gospel and build up the Kingdom of God.

Interested in Enrolling? Want to learn more?

We are so excited by your interest in initiating your child into the riches and truth of the Catholic Faith!

To make an appointment with Dawn Bingaman, Pastoral Assistant for Faith Formation, please click here.