“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded of you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
– Matthew 28: 19-20
Overview of OCIA:
One of the most important events in early Church History involved the development of the catechumenal process in the Church. The formative aspects of the Baptismal catechumenate, also known as The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, began in the third and fourth centuries during the time of St. Augustine. The Baptismal catechumenate was the method used to bring followers of Jesus Christ into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The Baptismal catechumenate serves as the foundation for adult catechesis. In particular, the Baptismal catechumenate aims to draw the individual into the mysteries of Jesus Christ. Important in this practice is revealing the reality of the Gospel as truth. The Gospel of St. Mathew (28:17-20) serves as one of the biblical sources for the catechumenal process. The “Great Commission” instituted by Christ calls the Apostles to proclaim the Gospel and baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The journey of the Baptismal catechumenate is called to be life-changing. What I mean by this is that those who are inquiring about the Catholic Church are discerning a potentially life-altering event. The inquirer (un-Baptized Christian candidate), or (Baptized Christian-Catechumen), is discerning whether the unique nature of the Catholic Church resonates in the heart and mind of the inquirer.
The Catechumenal Process (OCIA) serves as a journey to know and understand God’s love further revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ. In the early stages of the ancient catechumenate, both Jews and Gentiles were initiated into the Church. The emphasis for these catechumens was two-fold: that Christ was the Messiah and, in particular, to bring our Jewish brethren from the “Law” to “Christ” (Acts 2:41 ff.).
The Gentiles received instruction directing them to the one true God to clarify their polytheistic tendencies. Recognizing that sound catechesis involves the teaching of faith and morals, Christian morality was preached from the beginning.
By the end of the 2nd century, individual instructions evolved into group instruction. Group Baptism continued during this period, and special catechists were involved in receiving training through catechetical schools. During this time, Baptism was administered at the Easter season and invoked the participation of the Resurrection of Christ as seen through the liturgy. Hence, a complementary relationship evolved between liturgy and catechesis. This structure gave rise to the catechumenate.
The premise of the OCIA process reveals a pedagogy (a pattern of appropriate instruction) that is both kerygmatic and catechetical. This serves as the basis of understanding the OCIA as a pedagogy of Evangelization as required and directed by the Church.
The OCIA emphasizes the importance of conveying a relationship between theology and evangelization. The Ten Commandments reveal the Old Law, while the New Law is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the content that presents the value of developing a Trinitarian and Christ-centered identity in the Catechumen and strengthening the identity of a candidate.
The National Statutes place great emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit (1), revealing the fullness of God’s revelation. The Revised Statutes stress the Dignity of the Sacrament of Baptism as the Door to Life and the Kingdom. The language is an entryway to each stage of the Catechumenal process from the Period of Pre-Evangelization and Inquiry to Mystagogy.
Baptism is rightly called the Sacrament of Faith, where the human being, enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, responds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This requires a proper and thorough catechesis instituted by the Bishop, Priest, and laity (13).
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: The Initial Three-Step Process
1. The First Step: Approaching initial conversion, the person desires to become a Christian and is accepted by the Church as a catechumen.
2. The Second Step: having advanced in faith and nearly completed the catechumenate, the person is received into a more intense preparation for the Sacraments.
3. The Third Step: After the spiritual preparation has been completed, the person receives the Sacraments by which a Christian is initiated.