RCIA (now OCIA) Adapted for Children

The RCIA (now OCIA) Adapted for Children is a process by which children over the age of 7 who are either unbaptized or un-catechized learn about and are formed in the Catholic faith, heading toward the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. (Whichever ones they haven’t received yet.) The process typically lasts a year and a half to two years. All of the RCIA (OCIA) Adapted for Children classes are led by our trained catechists and take place on Sundays. We encourage the whole family to enter the process and attend the classes together. The Rite is marked by several steps:
  
 Inquiry – This is the introductory period in which people are given a basic overview of the faith. The classes meet weekly from 9:00-10:30 AM, and families are encouraged to then attend the 10:45 Mass together. This period lasts a few months and culminates in a Rite of Welcome in which, during Mass, the children receive a special blessing, are presented with a Bible, and are received into the next phase.
  
 Catechumenate – The word catechumen comes from the Greek word for student or learner. During this phase, which lasts about a year, children and families dive more deeply into the teachings of the Church, and also engage in a weekly reflection on the Sacred Scriptures. The children participate in a Rite of Dismissal each week at the 9:00 AM Mass in which, after the homily, they are sent forth to reflect on and discuss that Sunday’s readings, followed by an hour-long class on some aspect of the faith. This phase culminates in the Rite of Election, in which, during Mass, the children are presented with the Creed and the Our Father, and enter the next phase.
  
 Purification and Enlightenment – This phase takes place during the Lent preceding the Easter at which the children will enter the Church. During this time, the children (now called “the elect”) engage in a deeper reflection on the Scripture readings for the week and prepare to enter the Church. The last three weeks of this period are marked by special rites during Mass called the Scrutinies, at which the children receive special blessings to help prepare them to enter the Church. At the Easter Vigil, the children receive the Sacraments of Initiation and become members of the Catholic Church.
  
 Mystagogy – This period lasts from Easter to Pentecost (about 7 weeks), and here the newly-received (called neophytes) reflect on their life as new or newly fully initiated Catholics.
 
 
 Team members journey with the children and families as sponsors, catechists, and companions along the way.

Sessions meet on Sunday morning.  To learn when the next session will start and to sign up, contact Mrs. Michal Tincup.