The Order of Christian Initiation prepares children for the lifetime commitment that comes with reception into the Catholic Church. The Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) is a process, not a program. The process is one of faith development where the children grow in their relationship with God, as expressed through Roman Catholic beliefs. Because each child’s journey of faith is different, some may need more time than others to prepare for full initiation into the church. The usual length of time is between one and two years.
OCIC is intended for children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical (school) age. They seek Christian initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians or, with parental permission, on their own initiative. Such children are capable of receiving and nurturing a personal faith and of recognizing an obligation in conscience.
Once readiness is reached, the children will receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil Mass.
Those second through fifth grade students who are already baptized but need to receive First Penance and First Eucharist will attend their age-appropriate class on Sundays as well as the monthly classes for Sacramental Preparation. If they have no exposure to Catholic beliefs and practices, however, they should be enrolled in OCIC.
The children in OCIC are expected to attend all weekly sessions on a regular basis with a parent or sponsor present.
The support from the parents and sponsor allows for the continual educational and spiritual growth of the child.