OCIT Teenagers

OCIT

(Order of Christian Initiation for Teenagers)

Nine Months Program

Room: TBA

Class time: Sundays from 10:45am to 12:15pm

This class participates in the 9:30am Mass

The program begins on 8th September of 2024.

Finish on Pentecost Sunday, June 8 2025

Ages: 13 - 17

Tuition: $75.00

For more information or question please call 915 593-1901 or religiousformation@straphaelelpaso.org

REGISTRATION

Non Baptized

Birth certificate
Medical Form

Teenagers First Communion and Confirmation:

Birth certificate
Baptism Certificate
Medical Form

Tuition Fee $75.00

$10.00 Drop fee on and after August 23, 2024.

MASS ATTENDANCE

We participate in the 9:30am Mass

RETREAT

Order of Christian Initiation for Teenagers Retreat, TBA

SPONSOR

Young adults will need a Sponsor. The sponsor will be someone other than a parent, who will support the child in his or her Catholic Journey. The sponsor must be a Baptized and Confirmed Catholic, who is over the age of 16, and is in good standing with the Catholic Church. The sponsor will fill out a sponsor registration form. If you can’t find one we can provide the sponsor.

OCIT CLASSES WILL BE STARTING SOON

If you or someone you know wishes to become Catholic or if you were Baptized in the Catholic faith but have not received your First Holy Communion and/or the Sacrament of Confirmation and are at least 18 years of age, this is your opportunity to achieve your goal.

OCIA is the process in which Young Adults prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and first Holy Communion).

The primary purpose of OCIT is the initiation of teenagers in the catholic faith.

Every year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands of baptized in the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Order of Christian Initiation of Teenagers (OCIT).

OCIT consists of four periods of formation: Pre-Catechumenate Period; Period of the Catechumenate; Period of Purification and Illumination and the Post-baptismal Period of catechesis / Mistagogy.

This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; the unbaptized have contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church. After a conversation with a priest, or OCIT director, the person, known as an "inquirer," may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite of Acceptance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen.

CATECHUMENATE

During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church. The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.

Catechumenate (Rite of Election:

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS

Sacraments of Initiation the Easter Vigil Mass Saturday April 19, 2025 at 7:00pm or Easter Morning Mass, Sunday April 20th, 2025 at 9:30am.

As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education continue in the Period of the Post Baptismal Catechesis, which is also called Mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost. During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission and outreach activities.

MYSTAGOGY

Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025 . 9:30am Mass

Neophytes will receive their Certificates immediately after Pentecost Mass; there will be a reception in the Parish hall where the sponsors, friends and families are welcome to join the neophytes.