Becoming Catholic

Some people who inquire have been baptized while others haven’t. Some know much about the Catholic faith, others know very little.  Due to these facts the journey to become Catholic or full initiation is not necessarily the same for everyone. 

Even though the journey may not be exactly the same every individual preparing in the Becoming Catholic receives formation in these areas:

• Mental/Intellectual - Learning what the Catholic Church teaches and why.
• Spiritual - Forming our hearts and wills in prayer and communion with God and His Church.
• Dispositional - Preparing to receive the gifts God wishes to give.  Preparing to share God’s love through service and evangelization and preparing to live the moral Christian lifestyle.

As Catholics, we have gotten into the bad habit of abbreviating the process or journey one takes to become Catholic.  The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the same process that has been utilized for years and is the full title of the process used around the world. 

Traditionally there are 5 key steps or movements in the process:

1. INQUIRY - The OCIA process is explained and there is an opportunity to ask questions about the Catholic Faith.
2. PRE-CATECHUMENATE - Those who have attended the inquiry session come together again as a group to begin learning about the basics of the Catholic Faith.
3. CATECHUMENATE - On a weekly basis the candidates meet to hear about and discuss the teachings of the Catholic Church.
4. PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT - Coincides with the season of Lent. This is a time of spiritual preparation through prayer and reflection.
5. MYSTAGOGY - Living with the mysteries - A time to reflect, appreciate more deeply, and unfold the meaning of the initiation sacraments.

Great question here are just two thoughts: