Accompaniment emphasized as RCIA becomes OCIA
Jason Whitehead, director of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Fort Worth, leads a workshop for parish religious education ministers about OCIA changes on Aug. 22, 2024. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Sometimes a name change signifies an entire transformation. Think of Saul changing his name to Paul. His entire life and mission converted along with his identity.
However, in the case of RCIA becoming OCIA, it’s not a conversion but a refinement — the purpose, the process, and the flow remain the same, but a few points have been honed.
Most bulletin-reading Catholics are familiar with RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, which has been the process for converts to join the Catholic Church since 1988.
Beginning this fall, the acronym has changed to OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The name change from “rite” to “order” is a more accurate translation of the Latin ordo. Two years ago, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the name revision and updated the curriculum, to be effective Dec. 1, 2024, which is the first Sunday of Advent.
Jason Whitehead, diocesan director of evangelization and catechesis, explained how the change from RCIA to OCIA will manifest at parishes in the Diocese of Fort Worth. “The big picture is the same, but with very important clarifications and an important emphasis,” he said.
The importance of the first period of OCIA, known as the inquiry stage, is more fully recognized as a period of evangelization. Whitehead said the period will include one-on-one dialog between the inquirer and OCIA leader, in addition to group study of Scripture, prayer, and “friendly conversation to encounter the person of Jesus Christ as the fullness of God’s revelation.
“You have to spend some time with this group of people, sharing with them the Gospel, salvation history, and so forth. Let them ruminate on the basics of the Gospel to where they actually fall in love with God first. Falling in love with Christ — having faith in Christ — is based just like any other relationship, on trust. And that’s the entire point of evangelization, getting people to the point where they trust in God,” Whitehead continued.
Those who are ready to commit to joining the Church will experience the Order of Entrance at their parish and begin the second phase, called the catechumenate, in which they develop their faith and learn the doctrine of the Church. This phase ends with the Order of Election, in which the catechumens and candidates from several parishes gather, often with the bishop present, and sign a book to express their resolve to join the Catholic Church.
The third phase of purification and preparation, which often occurs during Lent, focuses and intensifies the faith of the catechumens and candidates as they prepare to be fully received into the Catholic Church, usually at the Easter Vigil.
The OCIA process recommends strengthening the fourth phase, which is called mystagogy, in which the new members of the Church grow in understanding and faith as they participate in the Mass and the sacraments.
Traditionally, Whitehead explained, the mystagogy period lasted from Easter until Pentecost, but now a neophyte year is recommended, which would include monthly meetings to discuss the faith.
Whitehead said, “This is something most parishes have yet to grasp. Sadly, once people receive their sacraments, they might go off on their own. Some people incorporate themselves into the parish a little better than others.”
With these changes, the timetable of OCIA may extend beyond what people have grown accustomed to with RCIA and may vary from person to person. However, the improvements are designed to help converts to Catholicism lay a strong foundation to help them understand and live more deeply their relationship with Christ and His Church.