Sacraments
Sacraments of Initiation
Becoming Catholic
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, OCIA, is the traditional practice of the Church for preparing non-baptized adults for full participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
At St. Mary's Church the OCIA process includes gathering for interaction, education, spiritual growth and liturgical prayer within an experiential process, marked by certain periods. The formal process begins in September of each year. Most participants are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, where they are baptized, confirmed and receive their First Communion. After receiving the sacraments, the process continues through Pentecost.
The OCIA process is specifically intended for unbaptized and unchurched persons seeking initiation into the life of Christ as Roman Catholics. However, baptized persons who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church and catechized baptized persons desiring the sacramental life of the Catholic Church may be included in the OCIA process.
The OCIA is a four step gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful.
- The first Period is named Inquiry in which the participant makes inquiry about the Faith and the Church responds and evangelizes. This Period ends with a mutual discernment and the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. The Catechumen will have a Sponsor who is a Catholic person who will know and assist the candidate. They will stand as witness to the candidate's moral character, faith, and intention. They serve the candidate as a bridge to the community of The Faithful and accompany the candidate through the catechetical process.
- The second Period, named Catechumenate, is a time of learning about Catholic sacramental life and worship and includes study and spiritual development. It ends with mutual discernment and the Rite of Election.
- The third Period is named Enlightenment and coincides with the Lenten purification and preparation for the Easter celebration and the sacraments of initiation. This period is especially devoted to various celebrations and spiritual advancement through prayer.
- The fourth and final Period named Mystagogy extends through the Easter season and is devoted to post-Easter catechesis designed to incorporate the newly initiated into the life of the church community. All fully-initiated Catholics are in the period of Mystagogy as they continue to practice and grow in faith.
OCIA sessions are held on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Seelos Hall at St. John Neumann Church.
Contact Us
For Children and Teens (ages 7-17):
Michele Dougherty
Director of Faith Formation
mdougherty@stmarysannapolis.org
410-990-4062
Michele Dougherty
Director of Faith Formation
mdougherty@stmarysannapolis.org
410-990-4062
Order of Christian Initiation for Children
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults adapted for Children introduces children age 7 and older, who have not received the Sacraments of Baptism and/or were baptized under another Christian tradition, to Catholicism and prepares them to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) and Reconciliation.
A celebration of entrance into our Catholic Christian Community occurs during the Easter season after a period of prayer, study and spiritual formation has prepared them for this celebration. Placement and formation are determined after an interview. Please contact mdougherty@stmarysannapolis.org to discuss your family's situation and next steps.
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