Interested in becoming Catholic? Review our OCIA and OCIC Process below
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, is meant for those adults interested in completing their Christian initiation through the reception of the three sacraments of initiation, namely baptism, confirmation, and first Holy Communion.
The process of OCIA is marked by four primary steps or stages of inquiry and maturation, namely the pre-catechumenate, the catechumenate, the period of enlightenment and purification, and the period of mystagogy.
The pre-catechumenate is characterized by a period of evangelization in which the goodness of God and the salvation He offers through Jesus Christ is made manifest, such that the Holy Spirit may open the hearts of those who hear and freely convert them as believers in the Lord. This period of evangelization aims to nurture and mature one’s will to follow Christ and seek Baptism, culminating in the rite of entrance into the catechumenate.
Following the rite of entrance, the period of the catechumenate begins. The catechumenate is the lengthy period marked by celebrations of the Word at mass, a presentation of the dogmas of the faith and precepts of the Church, and a deepening in the intimacy and knowledge about the mystery of salvation. More care is taken in becoming familiar with the practice of the Christian life, growing accustomed to prayer, and living a life of charitable service to others.
After the period of the catechumenate, the period of purification and enlightenment begins with the rite of sending and rite of election. During this step the individual gives themselves to greater spiritual recollection in order to prepare themselves for the Paschal Feasts and for Initiation by the Sacraments. The Scrutinies and Rites of Handing On are provided to aid in this preparation.
Upon one’s completion of initiation at the Easter Vigil, the period of “Mystagogy” begins and is a post-baptismal catechesis which aims to further examine the mysteries of the faith with an acquired newness as a result of having experienced the sacraments. Emphasis is placed especially on the celebration of the Eucharist at mass, a deepening in one’s prayer life, the exercise of charity, progress in understanding the Paschal Mystery, and receiving support from the community of the faithful.
Please refer to our syllabus/calendar by clicking the button below for a detailed look at the year as the class moves through these four stages of OCIA.
We meet in the office library from 9:00AM-10:50AM followed by mass at 11:00AM Mass.
Let’s Begin!
Registration for OCIA is now closed. To inquire about the next opportunity to join, please contact Lucas Nino at lnino@hrcchtx.org or call (713) 529-4854 ext. 105.
Order of Christian Initiation for Children
The Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age (7 years of age). For children who have been baptized but have not had any further catechesis, the Order of Christian Initiation is the appropriate path for the child to become fully initiated into the Church. For more info, please contact Sister Theresa at srtheresa@hrcchtx.org.
To register your child, please fill out the registration form on the link below and send it to Sister Theresa at srtheresa@hrcchtx.org.
Would you like to begin the process?
Contact Lucas Nino:
(713) 529-4854, ext. 105
