OCIA adapted for children
Traditionally, children are baptized as infants in the Catholic Church. When a child reaches the age of reason, seven years old, they begin their preparation to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Usually, during their high school years, they begin preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Children receive these sacraments gradually as they grow and mature with the support of their parents, godparents and faith community.
 
For children and youth not baptized as infants and who have reached the age of reason,(age 7-17) the Catholic Church has reinstated the centuries old tradition of the OCIA and has adapted it to youth to help them nurture a personal faith. Youth, along with their parents, attend class on Sunday morning (2nd-5th graders) or Sunday evening (6th-12th graders). The first year is the Period of Inquiry. These classes begin in September and conclude in April of the following year. The second year, the youth enter the Period of the Catechumenate. The second year of formation ends at the Easter Vigil where the youth receives the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. These classes begin in August and conclude 6 weeks after the Easter Vigil of the following year with their First Reconciliation.

Is this "sacramental catch up"?

No. This is a common misconception for youth rather than being understood as the process adapted from RCIA. Sacraments are best understood as encounters with Christ by those responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Sacraments are not meant to be “celebrations of graduation,” but celebrate the various points in one’s life of faith. Sacraments have become a kind of reward for completion of a program, rather than a celebration of the faith of an individual and the community. In the Church there are different ways by which people receive the Sacraments of Initiation; no one form is better than the other, they are just different. According to Canon Law (CCL # 852, #866), youth who are of catechetical age, must receive all three sacraments of initiation at baptism, just as prescribed for adults.

For additional information on OCIA adapted for Children and Youth, please call 830-625-4531 and speak with Sr Sheeja ext 216 or Brenda Gualandri ext 242.