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The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), or ''Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum'', is a process developed by the
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
for its
catechumenate for prospective
converts to the Catholic faith above the age of
infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. Infant baptism is also called christening by some faith traditions.
Most Christians belong to denominations that practice infant baptism. Branches of Christianity that ...
. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices. The basic process applies to adults and children who have reached catechetical age. Formally the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults was known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The name was changed in 2021 to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin.
Some Catholic movements, like the Polish
Light-Life
The Light-Life Movement, also known as the Oasis Movement, is an organisation within the Catholic Church. The group originated in Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 ...
and the Spanish
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, or NCW (colloquially, The Way or Neo-Cats) is an association of the Christian faithful within the Catholic Church. It was formed in Madrid in 1964 by Kiko Argüello and Carmen Herná ...
, promote post-baptismal formation based on the OCIA. Similarly, the
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Michael J. McGivney on March 29, 1882. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. It is led by Patrick E. Kelly, the order's 14th Supreme Knight. ...
provides a free correspondence course under the Catholic Information Services (CIS) program.
The ideal is for there to be an OCIA process available in every Roman Catholic
parish
A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or m ...
. Those who want to join an OCIA group should aim to attend one in the parish where they live.
For those who wish to join, the OCIA process is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. There is no set timetable, and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and to take as much time as they need.
US bishops have said that the process "should extend for at least one year for formation, instruction, and probation" for those who have had no previous experience with living a Christian life. However, "nothing ... can be settled a priori. The time spent in the catechumenate should be long enough—several years if necessary—for the conversion and faith of the catechumens to become strong." For those who have some experience leading a Christian life, the process should be much shorter, "according to the individual case."
Those who enter the process are expected to begin attending
Mass
Mass is an intrinsic property of a body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the quantity of matter in a physical body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physics. It was found that different atoms and different elementar ...
on a Sunday, participate in regular faith formation activities, and to become increasingly involved in the activities of their local parish.
Priests "have the responsibility of attending to the pastoral and personal care of the catechumens." Throughout the process, they are assisted in this by deacons and
catechist
Catechesis (; from Greek: , "instruction by word of mouth", generally "instruction") is basic Christian religious education of children and adults, often from a catechism book. It started as education of converts to Christianity, but as the ...
s.
Outline of the OCIA process
This outline is based upon the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) approved for use in the dioceses of the United States which includes additional rites for various circumstances and combinations. The numbers shown in the article headings and elsewhere relate to the relevant sections of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) and United States Catholic Conference (US ...
approved rite.
''Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate'' aragraphs 36 - 40/h2>
"This is a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values." The church is offering here an invitation to initial conversion. There is no obligation involved during this period. "It is a time of evangelization: faithfully and constantly the living God is proclaimed and Jesus Christ who he has sent for the salvation of all." At this stage, seekers are known as Inquirers.
First Step: Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens aragraphs 41 - 47/h3>
Inquirers who wish continue on to the period of the catechumenate celebrate the rite of Acceptance into the Order of
Catechumens.
The rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens may take place throughout the year. "A sponsor accompanies any candidate seeking admission as a catechumen." Ideally, the sponsor is provided to the candidate by the parish. The duties of a sponsor are to journey with the catechumens through the process and provide a compelling witness in matters of faith.
This is a very significant step, so much so that for catechumens (unbaptized): "One who dies during the Catechumenate receives a Christian burial."
7
The outline of this Rite is as follows
aragraphs 48 - 68
''Receiving the Candidates''
"The candidates and their sponsors, and a group of the faithful gather outside the church."
*Greeting
* Opening Dialogue
* Candidates' First Acceptance of the
Gospel
Gospel originally meant the Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words an ...
* Affirmation by the Sponsors and the Assembly
* Signing of the Candidates with the
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a sa ...
:
**– Signing of the Forehead
**–
igning of the Other Senses- optional
**– Concluding
Prayer
Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity or a deified a ...
* Invitation to the Celebration of the Word of God
The mass then goes on as usually normal with: ''Liturgy of the Word''
* Instruction
* Readings
*
Homily
A homily (from Greek ὁμιλία, ''homilía'') is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture, giving the "public explanation of a sacred doctrine" or text. The works of Origen and John Chrysostom (known as Paschal Homily) are considered ex ...
*
resentation_of_a_Bible.html" ;"title="Bible.html" ;"title="resentation of a Bible">resentation of a Bible">Bible.html" ;"title="resentation of a Bible">resentation of a Bible- optional
* Intercessions for the Catechumens
* Prayer over the Catechumens
At this point a new portion is added
* Dismissal of the Catechumens
From this point until their baptisms,
catechumens are dismissed after the liturgy of the word when they attend Mass. This is to make the process feel more like it was in the early church, when catechumens were dismissed before communion before their baptism, which might have taken years to prepare for, to make the communion more meaningful.
Rite of Welcoming the Candidates 11 - 415/h3>
Inquirers who have already been validly baptized in a
non-Catholic ecclesial community, or baptized Catholic but not catechized as a child (have not received first Eucharist), are welcomed to this next stage via the Rite of Welcoming the Candidates. They enter this rite known as "candidates", and they are known by this title from now on. Their rite of welcoming the candidates often does not take place at the same time as the catechumen's rite of acceptance.
The outline of this rite is as follows
16 - 433
''Receiving the Candidates''
* Salutation
* Opening Dialogue
* Candidates' Declaration Of Intent
* Affirmation by the Sponsors and the Assembly
* Signing of the Candidates with the Cross:
** – Signing of the Forehead
** –
igning of the Other Senses- optional
** – Concluding Prayer
The Mass then continues as normal: ''Liturgy of the Word''
* Instruction
* Readings
* Homily
*
resentation of a Bible- optional
* Profession of Faith
* General Intercessions
(At this point there is a special prayer over the candidates)
*
ismissal of the Assembly- if the Eucharist is not to be celebrated
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
Candidates are sometimes dismissed during the Mass.
Combined Rite
05 - 506
5 (five) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number, and cardinal number, following 4 and preceding 6, and is a prime number. It has attained significance throughout history in part because typical humans have five digits on eac ...
/h3>
Where there are both unbaptized and baptized inquirers in a parish there is the option of a combined rite at this stage. This rite is formally known as "The (Combined) Celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Rite of Welcoming Baptized but Previously Uncatechized Adults Who are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church".
The outline of this rite is as follows
07 - 529
''Receiving the Candidates''
* Greeting
* Opening Dialogue with Candidates for the Catechumenate and with the Candidates for Post-baptismal
Catechesis
Catechesis (; from Greek: , "instruction by word of mouth", generally "instruction") is basic Christian religious education of children and adults, often from a catechism book. It started as education of converts to Christianity, but as the ...
* Catechumens' First Acceptance of the Gospel
* Candidates' Declaration of Intent
* Affirmation by the Sponsors and the Assembly
* Signing of the Catechumens and of the Candidates with the Cross:
** – Signing of the Forehead of the Catechumens
** –
igning of the Other Senses of the Catechumens- optional
** – Signing of the Forehead of the Candidates
** –
igning of the Other Senses of the Candidates- optional
** – Concluding Prayer
* Invitation to the Celebration of the Word of God
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Instruction
* Readings
* Homily
*
resentation of a Bible- optional
* Intercessions
* Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates
* Dismissal of the Catechumens
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
These rites delineate the transition between the Period of Inquiry into the Period of the Catechumenate. The rites take place when the members of the local church are gathered together for the
Eucharistic celebration.
''Period of the Catechumenate'' 5 - 80/h2>
A
catechumen ''(from Latin catechumenus, Greek κατηχουμενος, instructed)'' is one receiving instruction in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism. It is for this reason that those who are already validly baptized in another Christian Faith are not known as catechumens, but rather candidates.
The Catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life.
5
This is achieved in four ways :
* Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by celebrations of the Word.
* The Catechumens learning to:
** – Turn more readily to God in prayer
** – To bear witness to the Faith
** – In all things to keep their hopes set on Christ
** – To follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds
** – To practice the love of neighbour, even at the cost of self-renunciation
* Suitable liturgical rites, which purify the Catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God's blessing; including celebrations of the Word.
* Learning to work actively with others to spread the Gospel.
''From the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults''
The period of the Catechumenate is a time for:
* Continuing to build community within the group
* Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community
* Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church
* Exploring important and foundational Scripture passages
More importantly, it is a time for:
* Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present
* Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish
* Fostering conversion
* Developing or improving our relationship with God
Various rites pertain to this period of instruction for those who are unbaptized (catechumens):
* Celebrations of the Word of God
1 - 89* Minor Exorcisms
(not
0 - 94
*
Blessings of the Catechumens
5 - 97*
Anointing
Anointing is the ritual act of pouring aromatic oil over a person's head or entire body.
By extension, the term is also applied to related acts of sprinkling, dousing, or smearing a person or object with any perfumed oil, milk, butter, or oth ...
of the Catechumens
8 - 103* Presentations
04 - 105* Sending of the Catechumens for Election (a meeting with the Bishop of Catechumens from many Parishes throughout a Diocese)
06 - 117
An optional rite also pertains to this period for those who are baptized (candidates):
* Rite of Sending the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop and for the Call to Continuing Conversion
34 - 445
There is also a combined optional rite if there are both catechumens and candidates in a parish:
* Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop
30 – 546
The conclusion of this period leads onto the ''Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names'' for those who are unbaptized and the ''Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion'' for those who are baptized. This is a very significant and important step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent at the local
diocesan
In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associat ...
cathedral
A cathedral is a church that contains the '' cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denomination ...
, led by the local
bishop
A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution.
In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
. All of the Catechumens and Candidates, their
Godparents
In infant baptism and denominations of Christianity, a godparent (also known as a sponsor, or '' gossiprede'') is someone who bears witness to a child's christening and later is willing to help in their catechesis, as well as their lifelon ...
(for Catechumens), and Sponsors (for Catechumens and Candidates) gather together on this day, which may involve hundreds of people. The Church formally ratifies the Catechumens' readiness for the
Sacraments
A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the real ...
of Initiation and the Candidates' readiness to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church. In turn the Catechumens – from now on known as the Elect – publicly acknowledge their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, and the Candidates their desire to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church.
Second Step: Election or Enrollment of Names 18 - 128/h3>
The outline of this Rite is as follows
29 - 137
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Homily
* Presentation of the Catechumens
* Affirmation by the Godparents
nd the Assembly* Invitation and Enrollment of Names
* Act of Admission or Election
* Intercessions for the Elect
* Prayer over the Elect
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
This rite does not have to be a full Mass. In this case, there is no liturgy of the Eucharist, and thus no dismissal of the elect.
Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion 46 - 449/h3>
The outline of this rite is as follows
50 - 458
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Homily
* Presentation of the Candidates for Confirmation and Eucharist
* Affirmation by the Sponsors
nd the Assembly* Act of Recognition
* General Intercessions
* Prayer over the Candidates
*
ismissal of the Assembly– if the Eucharist is not to be celebrated
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
Combined Rite 47 - 549/h3>
Where there are both catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized) in a diocese there is the option of a combined rite at this stage. This rite is formally known as ''The (Combined) Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates Who are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church''.
The outline of this rite is as follows
50 - 561
5 (five) is a number, numeral (linguistics), numeral and numerical digit, digit. It is the natural number, and cardinal number, following 4 and preceding 6, and is a prime number. It has attained significance throughout history in part because typ ...
''Celebration of Election''
* Presentation of the Catechumens
* Affirmation by the Godparents
nd the Assembly* Invitation and Enrollment of Names
* Act of Admission or Election
''Celebration of the Call to Continuing Conversion''
* Presentation of the Candidates
* Affirmation by the Sponsors
nd the Assembly* Act of Recognition
* Intercessions for the Elect and the Candidates
* Prayer over the Elect and the Candidates
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
''Period of Purification and Enlightenment'' 38 - 149/h2>
This period tends to correspond with
Lent
Lent ( la, Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke ...
and is intended to be a period of increased discernment and coming closer to God. The aim of this period is to eliminate what is weak and sinful, and affirm what is holy. During this period the Elect undertake a number of Rites, including the Scrutinies and Presentations:
The outlines of these rites are as follows:
» First Scrutiny (3rd Sunday of Lent)
50 - 156
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Readings
*
Homily
A homily (from Greek ὁμιλία, ''homilía'') is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture, giving the "public explanation of a sacred doctrine" or text. The works of Origen and John Chrysostom (known as Paschal Homily) are considered ex ...
* Invitation to Private
Prayer
Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity or a deified a ...
* Intercessions for the Elect
* Exorcism
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
» The Presentation of the Creed (3rd Week of Lent)
57 - 163
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Readings
* Homily
* Presentation of the
Creed
A creed, also known as a confession of faith, a symbol, or a statement of faith, is a statement of the shared beliefs of a community (often a religious community) in a form which is structured by subjects which summarize its core tenets.
The ea ...
* Prayer over the Elect
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
» Second Scrutiny (4th Sunday of Lent)
64 - 170
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Readings
* Homily
* Invitation to Private Prayer
* Intercessions for the Elect
* Exorcism
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
» Third Scrutiny (5th Sunday of Lent)
71 - 177
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Readings
* Homily
* Invitation to Private Prayer
* Intercessions for the Elect
* Exorcism
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
» The Presentation of the Lord's Prayer (ideally the fifth Week of Lent)
78 - 184
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Readings
* Homily
* Gospel (Presentation of the
Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer, also called the Our Father or Pater Noster, is a central Christian prayer which Jesus taught as the way to pray. Two versions of this prayer are recorded in the gospels: a longer form within the Sermon on the Mount in the Gosp ...
)
* Homily
* Prayer over the Elect
* Dismissal of the Elect
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
» Preparation Rites on Holy Saturday
85 - 192
** - Recitation of the Creed
93 - 196** - Ephphetha
97 - 199** - Choosing a Baptismal Name
00 - 202** - Concluding Rites
03 - 205
The Candidates meanwhile prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation with an optional ''Penitential Rite Scrutiny''
59 – 472 This takes place on the second Sunday of Lent.
The Easter Vigil
At the
Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a liturgy held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this liturgy that people are ba ...
the celebration of the
sacraments
A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the real ...
of initiation takes place,
Baptism
Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost inv ...
,
Confirmation
In Christian denominations that practice infant baptism, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in baptism. Those being confirmed are known as confirmands. For adults, it is an affirmation of belief. It involves laying on ...
, and
Holy Communion
The Eucharist (; from Greek , , ), also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instituted ...
; according to the latest USCCB guidelines, this ceremony is to be reserved for Catechumens, so that no confusion will arise among the congregation about who is becoming a Christian (Catechumens) and who is merely being confirmed as a Catholic (Candidates). The guidelines also state that the formation process for Candidates—including its length—should be decided on a case-by-case basis and ideally conclude with a Confirmation at a regular Sunday Mass other than (and typically well before) Easter Vigil. At such a Mass, Candidates (having already been baptized) need only celebrate Confirmation and the Eucharist.
At the Easter Vigil, the Elect celebrate all of the sacraments of initiation; they are thereafter called Neophytes and they are considered to be full members of the Christian faithful. The Rites used to confer these Sacraments are outlined below. At some college campuses that have spring breaks during Holy Week, initiation for both the baptized and the unbaptized is often done during the weeks after Easter, so more of the community can be present.
Third Step: Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation 06 - 217/h3>
The ''Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation'' is the Rite undertaken by the Elect (unbaptized).
The outline of this Rite is as follows
18 - 243
''Liturgy of the Word''
''Celebration of Baptism''
* Presentation of the Elect
* Invitation to Prayer
* Litany of the Saints
* Blessing of the Baptismal Waters
* Profession of Faith:
- Renunciation of Sin
- Profession of the Catholic Faith by the Catechumens and Candidates
* Baptism
* Explanatory Rites:
** -
nointing after Baptism- if Confirmation is separated from the Catechumen's Baptism
** -
lothing with a Baptismal Garment- optional
** - Presentation of a Lighted Candle
''Celebration of Confirmation''
* Invitation
* Laying on of Hands
* Anointing with Chrism
The confirmation can take place at the same time as the baptism, by anointing with the oil immediately after the pouring of the water.
''Renewal of Baptismal Promises (at the Easter Vigil)'' for the congregation
* Invitation
* Renewal of Baptismal Promises:
** - Renunciation of Sin
** - Profession of Faith
* Sprinkling with Baptismal Water
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
The Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into the full Communion of the Catholic Church 73 - 486/h3>
''The Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into the full Communion of the Catholic Church'' is the Rite undertaken by the Candidates (baptized).
The outline of this Rite (within Mass) is as follows
87 - 498
''Liturgy of the Word''
* Readings
* Homily
''Celebration of Reception''
* Invitation
* Profession of Faith
* Act of Reception
*
onfirmation - omitted if the Candidate has already been Confirmed
** - Laying on of Hands
** - Anointing with Chrism
* Celebrant's Sign of Welcome
* General Intercessions
* Sign of Peace
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
The Combined Rite 62 - 565/h3>
Where there are both Elect (unbaptized) and Candidates (baptized) in a Parish there is the option of a combined Rite at this stage. This Rite is formally known as ''The (Combined) Celebration at the Easter Vigil of the Sacraments of Initiation and of the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church''.
The outline of this rite is as follows
66 - 594
''Service of Light''
''Liturgy of the Word''
''Celebration of Baptism''
* Presentation of the Elect
* Invitation to Prayer
* Litany of the Saints
* Prayer over the Water
* Profession of Faith:
** - Renunciation of Sin
** - Profession of Faith
* Baptism
* Explanatory Rites
** -
nointing after Baptism- if Confirmation is separated from the Catechumen's Baptism
** -
lothing with a Baptismal Garment optional
** - Presentation of a Lighted Candle
''Renewal of Baptismal Promises''
* Invitation
* Renewal of Baptismal Promises:
** - Renunciation of Sin
** - Profession of Faith
* Sprinkling with Baptismal Water
''Celebration of Reception''
* Invitation
* Profession by the Candidates
* Act of reception
''Celebration of Confirmation''
* Invitation
* Laying on of Hands
* Anointing with Chrism
''Liturgy of the Eucharist''
See also
*
Associations of the faithful
In the Catholic Church, an association of the Christian faithful or simply association of the faithful (Latin: ''consociationes christifidelium'') sometimes called a public association of the faithful, is a group of baptized persons, clerics or l ...
*
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' ( la, Catechismus Catholicae Ecclesiae; commonly called the ''Catechism'' or the ''CCC'') is a catechism promulgated for the Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II in 1992. It aims to summarize, in book for ...
*
Catholic laity
*
Glossary of the Catholic Church
This is a glossary of terms used within the Catholic Church. Some terms used in everyday English have a different meaning in the context of the Catholic faith, including brother, confession, confirmation, exemption, faithful, father, ordinary, r ...
*
History of the Catholic Church
The history of the Catholic Church is the formation, events, and historical development of the Catholic Church through time.
The tradition of the Catholic Church claims the Catholic Church began with Jesus Christ and his teachings; the Catholi ...
*
Index of Catholic Church articles
This is an index of Catholic Church articles. Portals and navigation boxes are at the bottom of the page. For a listing of Catholic Church articles by category, see :Catholic Church (and its various subcategories and pages) at the bottom of the p ...
*
Lay ecclesial ministry
Lay ecclesial ministry is the term adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to identify the relatively new category of pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church who serve the Church but are not ordained. Lay ecclesial ministers ...
*
List of Ecclesial movements
A Catholic lay association, also referred to as Catholic Congress, is an association of lay Catholics aiming to discuss certain political or social issues from a Catholic perspective.
The Pontifical Council for the Laity is the body responsib ...
*
Outline of Catholicism
*
Timeline of the Catholic Church
The history of the Catholic Church is integral to the history of Christianity as a whole. It is also, according to church historian, Mark A. Noll, the "world's oldest continuously functioning international institution." This article covers a per ...
References
{{Reflist
Further reading
* Ralph Keifer, Christian Initiation: the State of the Question, in: Aidan Kavanagh et al., ''Made, Not Born: New Perspectives on Christian Initiation and the Catechumenate'', Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1976.
* William Harmless SJ, The RCIA: Its Catechetical Gaps and Silences, in: Idem, ''Augustine and the Catechumenate'', Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1995, pp. 1–36.
* ''A Critical Analysis of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)'', Victoria Millan MEd unpublished thesis for the
University of Liverpool
, mottoeng = These days of peace foster learning
, established = 1881 – University College Liverpool1884 – affiliated to the federal Victoria Universityhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/2004/4 University of Manchester Act 200 ...
;
External links
Constitution on the Sacred LiturgyRCIA NetworkOCIA Summary, USCCB websiteTeamRCIA , Start and sustain the catechumenateThe Association for Catechumenal MinistryThe Blog That's All About RCIAThe North American Forum on the Catechumenate preservation
Catholic theology and doctrine
Catholic liturgy
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