Becoming Catholic

So... You want to become Catholic? I'm so excited to welcome you to St. Vincent's webpage! Don't worry if you are a bit nervous. That's totally normal. Here at St. Vincent's we have parishioners who are excited to welcome you and will accompany you through the process.


To start out, it is important that you know a summary about what the Catholic Church believes.


While the Catholic Church is the largest religion in the world, it is sometimes also the most misunderstood.


The beliefs of the Catholic Church and her beautiful teachings are consistent through the ages.

 

  • We believe that human beings were created by God in love and that everything God creates is good and created out of love. While we have the capacity for sin, the Church believes in the dignity of the human person above all else.
  • We also believe that goodness infuses all of God’s wondrous creation. All creation, made by God, reflects that goodness. Catholics see the world and its beauty, renewed by the Incarnation, as sacramental – speaking of God’s goodness and love.
  • We believe in stewardship. Everything is given to us by God and our Catholic responsibility is to share our time, talent and treasure with those around us.
  • We believe in the Holy Trinity, that God has revealed himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – a communion of knowledge and love – has created us to share in that life.
  • We believe in community and a living Church – believers are a part of the living Body of Christ and, as such, we are a reflection of the communal nature of the Trinity.
  • We believe that God loved his creation so much that he became human in the person of Jesus to walk among us.
  • We believe in the communion of the saints – models of faith who help us and guide us in our daily lives.
  • We believe in Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, and we hope that one day we will rise to new life with him.

 

Becoming Catholic today means joining an ancient faith, deeply rooted in the teachings and traditions of Christ, that is filled with hope and vibrancy as we continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the ends of the earth.


There might be some things in that summary that don't make sense or words that you are unfamiliar with. That's okay. You don't need to know or understand it all before beginning the OCIA process. In fact, that's what the process is for!

What is OCIA?

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formally known as RCIA, is a shared process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is very similar to the way people became Catholic Christians and members of the Church in the first and second centuries.


Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process in which participants "undergo... conversion as they study the Bible, begin to believe in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive sacraments." Sacraments are special helps that Jesus gave the Church and her members to follow and become more like Him.


The language used in the OCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs;

  • Catechumens - people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
  • Candidates - people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

All are Welcome!

OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites or ceremonies for those who are curious. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who are exploring to become a Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire to be Catholic.


This process, is marked by regular ritual acts or ceremonies, participants are introduced to The Mass, the teachings and the life of the Catholic Church.


Adults or children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

OCIA is a Journey...

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

  • Pre-Catechumenate

    This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. catechumens and Candidates grow to realize and acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.

  • Rite of Acceptance & Welcoming

    The first Rite is the OCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance, accepts new members into the worshipping community.

  • Catechumenate

    The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time fo rsharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.

  • Rite of Election

    Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.

  • Sacraments of Initiation

    At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the communityy who have been journeying through the OCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Ecuharist and Confirmation.

  • Mystagogy

    This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means "leading into the mystery" and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.