"Order of Christian Initiation of Adults" ("OCIA")
September is usually the time of year when many Catholic parishes offer the "Order of Christian Initiation of Adults“ ("OCIA"), formerly known as the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” ("RCIA"). 1 This Rite offers a process that supports and guides adults to receive or complete the three Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, that are ordinarily administered and celebrated at the Easter Vigil—and entering into full commuion with the Catholic Church. Some parishes offer an abbreviated formation process that allows previously catechized adults, who only need to complete the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation, to receive these Sacraments at various times throughout the year. The Christian Initiation process is comprised of the following four stages or periods: Evangelization and Precatechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Post-Baptismal Catechesis (“Mystagogy”). A summary of the Christian Initiat...