By Christine Pinto
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults was first approved by Pope Paul VI in 1972 and mandated for use in the United States in 1988. In November 2024, the Church released a new version, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. This change means new opportunities for parishes and ACCs.
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TO RECONNECT WITH THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
In 1975, Pope Paul VI wrote, “[The Church] exists in order to evangelize …” (Evangelii Nuntiandi 14) and “The first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentically Christian life … Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (EN 41). If the reason we exist is to bring others to Christ, how are we doing? How do we share Jesus Christ with others?
Our lives (whether we are at church or not) reveal to others the person of Jesus Christ, often making more impact than what we say. Do the mundane parts of our daily life (driving in traffic, standing in line at the pharmacy, eating in a restaurant, sitting on an airplane or attending Mass on the weekend) point to Christ? The way we act teaches others who God is and what difference our Catholic faith makes in the world.
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TO REFOCUS FAITH FORMATION EFFORTS
The initiation process of the baptismal catechumenate offers seekers an opportunity to ask questions, search for meaning and reposition their life experiences in the context of a loving God who desires to be in relationship with his people. This is why the Church says all faith formation should be based in the baptismal catechumenate. As the next generations, Gen Z and Alpha, search for the answers to life’s big questions, they do so through authentic relationships, non-judgmental dialogue and impactful testimonials from people who, like them, are open to the ways God is working in their everyday lives. New faith formation approaches that flow from the OCIA process offer opportunities to engage all believers in an ever-deepening, lifelong journey of faith.
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TO REENERGIZE THE FAITHFUL
Standing before the Sanhedrin after being taken into custody by the religious authorities of the time, Peter and John respond to the religious leaders’ accusations saying, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). How many of us can say the same? Are we so on fire for our faith and the love of God we have experienced that we cannot help but praise God and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ? If not, now is the time that we must revitalize the Church: one person, one parish, one ACC at a time.
The OCIA speaks of those in the initiation process, saying, “[They] need to experience, firsthand, what it means to be Church: how we care and support, challenge and inspire each other and the entire world” (38). If our love of the Father, Son and Spirit doesn’t flow from our communities as a sacrament (sign of God’s grace for the world), then are we really living the call to go forth and make disciples? As Pope Francis would ask, is our community a “Church of mission” or a “Church of maintenance?”
Looking forward to All Things New and the changes that will occur in our diocese over the next few years, may we take to heart the message of Pope Francis, “[Seek] to abandon the complacent attitude that says: “We have always done it this way.” I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities” (Evangelii Gaudium, 33). May this new Order of Christian Initiation of Adults be another way to be “bold and creative” redefining our mission both as disciples and evangelizers.
What changed?
Changes to language align more closely with the new Roman Missal.
There is a greater distinction between the baptized and unbaptized which helps honor the unique path both candidates (baptized) and catechumens (unbaptized) are walking on their journey of faith.
The community has the most important role in forming people to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Formation happens not only in church, but also at work, in the grocery store, at an outreach center, on the soccer field and everywhere the faithful are present.
In our diocese, there is a new and intentional effort to return to the heart of the baptismal catechumenate by embracing the guidance of the Church regarding length of the Period of the Catechumenate and process by which we prepare people to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.
Christine Pinto is the director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of St. Cloud.