OCIA - Children & Youth

What is the OCIA for Children and Youth?

The RCIA process is adaptable for children and youth between the ages of 7 and 17 who want to become Catholic or complete their initiation into the Catholic faith.  It follows the form of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, but adapts it to the age and needs of the young people in the process.

How does it work?

The process takes two years.   The first year is called the remote preparation, and the second year is the proximate preparation.  Each year of the RCIA for Children and Youth, unlike that for adults, parallels the academic year and begins in September.

1.  Remote preparation:

This entails enrollment and attendance in the respective faith formation program for one’s age:

• High school:  High School Programs
  • Concurrent enrollment in Year 1 of the Confirmation for youth program will be required.  (Click the link and then scroll down until you see Confirmation).  Contact Chris Stevenson for more details.
• Junior High school:  Junior High Programs
• Elementary school:  Elementary Programs

2.  Proximate preparation:

Continued attendance in the appropriate faith formation program is still required (i.e. high school, junior high, or elementary level).  In addition, there is a year of special catechesis that is different for each person, depending on one’s sacramental status, age, and catechetical background:

A.  For those who are not yet baptized

The process involves a year of catechesis that is especially aimed at understanding the Christian life as a whole, with emphasis on preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  The reception of these sacraments normally would take place at the Easter Vigil at the end of the year of proximate preparation.

B.  For those who have been baptized Catholic, but never received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation

• A certificate or other official document verifying one’s baptism will be needed.
• For those who are entering grades 2nd through 8th (usually ages 7 to 13) at the time the remote preparation begins:
  • The proximate preparation entails a year of catechesis aimed at preparation to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • So that…upon completion of the RCIA, one will be ready to enter into the preparation program for the sacrament of Confirmation for youth (click the link and then scroll down until you see Confirmation), with one’s peers.
    • For those entering 2nd through 6th grade at the beginning of their remote preparation, then, will finish their proximate preparation at least one year, possibly more, before entering high school.  When they enter 9th grade, whenever that happens, they can then enter Year 1 of the Confirmation for youth program.
    • For those entering 7th grade at the beginning of their remote preparation will be finishing 8th grade at the end of their proximate preparation, at which time they will receive their First Eucharist.  When they enter 9th grade the following fall semester, they can enter Year 1 of the Confirmation for youth program.
    • For those entering 8th grade at the beginning of their remote preparation will be entering 9th grade at the beginning of their proximate preparation.  In 9th grade, then, they will do their year of proximate preparation to prepare for their First Eucharist, and at the same time, they will also enter Year 1 of the Confirmation for youth program.  At the end of 9th grade, then, they will receive their first Eucharist. In 10th grade they will continue in Year 2 of the Confirmation for youth program, upon completion of which they will receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
• For those who are entering grades 9th through 11th (usually ages 14 to 16) at the time the remote preparation begins:
  • The proximate preparation entails a year of catechesis aimed at preparation to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • Concurrent enrollment in Year 2 of the Confirmation for youth during their proximate preparation year will be required.  Successful completion of Year 2 will lead to the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• For those who are entering grade 12 (usually age 17) at the time the remote preparation begins:
  • Such a person can do the remote preparation.
  • When he turns 18, however, he will be too old for the proximate preparation, so instead should enroll in the RCIA for Adults.

C.  For those who have been baptized in a non-Catholic tradition (for example, Lutheran, Methodist, Evangelical, non-Denominational, etc.)

• A certificate or other official document verifying one’s baptism will be needed.
• The preparation will be the same as for those who have been baptized Catholic, above, except for the following:
  • The child/youth will be given some resources, to be completed with the assistance of his parent, on making the transition from a non-Catholic community to becoming a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church.  For example, for high school youth, they might read Catholicism For Dummies, or some such book.
  • A Profession of Faith will be made before receiving one’s First Eucharist.  The formulate for the Profession of Faith is:  I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.

What’s the First Step?

Please contact John Kovacs in the parish office for more information, and to set up an initial interview. Parents must accompany the child for the interview.  After that, please contact Sandra Trevino or Elizabeth Selmarten for more information on the appropriate faith formation program for your child (see above…point #1 about Remote Preparation).