Expectations

• Attend Mass every Sunday at 11:00, preferably with your candidate
• Attend Tuesday evening catechetical sessions, even when your candidate is not present
• Pray for your candidate every day
• Check in with the OCIA director at regularly scheduled times and as needed
• Intentionally invite your candidate join and participate in the communal life of Notre Dame

Definitions

Catechumens: Those who seek membership in the Body of Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, the sacraments of Christian initiation. “Inquirers” may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite of Acceptance.

Candidates: Those baptized in another Christian denomination and seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Candidates are already members of the body of Christ.

Sponsors: Persons who have known and assisted the candidates and stand as witnesses to the candidate’s moral character, faith, and intention. Sponsors are called to show the Catechumens (and Candidates) good example of the Christian life, sustain them in moments of hesitancy and anxiety, bear witness, and guide their progress in the sacramental life.

Key Milestones and Dates (See website calendar for updates)

• Fall Retreat: Saturday, 16 November
• Rite of Acceptance: Tuesday, 19 November
  • 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.
• Rite of Dismissal (Breaking Open the Word): begins Sunday, 24 November
• Rite of Sending: Sunday, 2 March
  • Sponsors will be called upon by the priest celebrant to publicly testify to an individual’s readiness for the sacraments of initiation.
  • Have these catechumens taken their formation in the Gospel and in the Catholic way of life seriously? Have they given evidence of their conversion by the example of their lives? Are they ready to be presented to the bishop for the rite of election? Do you consider the candidates ready to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist?
• Rite of Election: Sunday, 9 March
  • Includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral (other San Antonio Parish) church. 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.
• Penitential Rite: Sunday, 16 March
  • Candidates receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
• Scrutinies: Sunday, 23 March
  • The Scrutinies are three special rites that help prepare the Elect, those participating in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), to enter the Catholic Church. They take place during the period of OCIA formation known as Purification and Enlightenment, near the end of their formation. The season of Lent involves a more intense period of examination and preparation for the Elect, and hopefully for those of us already living the Catholic faith. Though they are meant for the OCIA Elect, the Scrutinies can help all Catholics seeking to live a life of continuous conversion.
  • During the three-week period of the Scrutinies, the Elect open the eyes of their souls, examine carefully how sin works in their lives, and make the deliberate choice to turn away from sin so they can step joyfully into the light of Christ at their Baptisms.
  • The purpose of the Scrutinies is to uncover, heal, and then strengthen.