“You cannot solve the great problems of human destiny – problems which cannot be avoided – without accepting the mission of Christ and availing yourself of the Catholic Church.”
Isaac T. Hecker (“Dr. Brownson and Catholicity,” November 1887; “Catholic World” CW, 224)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process through which interested adults and older children are introduced to the Catholic faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The OCIA process consists of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. Weekly focus sessions, attendance at Sunday Mass, “Breaking Open the Word” discussion groups, and involvement in parish activities, help participants prepare to receive the sacraments and full initiation into the church.
There are four phases in the OCIA. process:
- Inquiry: Individuals (Inquirers) join in informal group discussions about the faith and the teachings of the church.
- Catechumenate: Candidates for reception into the church learn and develop an understanding of Church teachings and the mystery of salvation.
- Purification and Enlightenment: During the Lenten period the focus is personal reflection on religious experience and faith.
- Mystagogy: This final period of initiation, the newly initiated experience being part of the Christian community.
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