Children (OCIc)
Order of Christian Initiation of
Who is the "Order of Christian Initiation of cHILDREN" (OCIC) fOR?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) is for children – 7-12 years old – who are interested in becoming full members of the Catholic Church and are:
Unbaptized children - Catechumens who are interested in becoming full members of the Catholic Church. These children must receive all the three Sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion at Easter Vigil. Catechumens are not required to visit the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter Vigil since all sins are forgiven at Baptism.
“By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam's sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God” (CCC1263).
OCIC is also for Children baptized in other Christian traditions – Candidates – seeking to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion (Eucharist). These children will not be re-baptized but will be received in Full Communion at Easter Vigil. Because the Eucharist signifies full structural and doctrinal unity (the source and summit of the Christian life), a baptized non-Catholic cannot simply receive Communion without first making a profession of faith and being received into the Catholic Church. Already baptized, candidates are prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are required to go to confession. (Confession, Penance, and Reconciliation refer to one and same Sacrament).
"According to the Church's command, 'after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.' Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time” (CCC 1457).
A child under the age of seven is baptized "as an infant" in the Catholic Church because they are too young to understand right from wrong or to make a personal profession of faith. At age seven, children reach the "age of reason," meaning they are considered intellectually aware enough to understand church teachings and can no longer be baptized under their parents' authority. This is why, they must undergo the process of OCIC which is similar to the adult process called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), to personally profess their faith and commitment to God.
Anyone becoming Catholic needs sponsors and community support to help them grow in the faith.
Sponsors must be at least 16 years old. They should be fully initiated Catholics in good standing meaning that they have received Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. They are living their Christian vocation as a single person in chastity or they are validly married in the Catholic Church. (See a full list of Godparent requirements here.)
OCIC Program Details
SPX School 2nd graders
OCIC is divided into three parts: First Communion, Baptism, and Confirmation classes.
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First Communion:
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SPX School 2nd graders will receive instruction during school hours in religion class.
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There are 4 parent sessions: October 25th, November 22nd, February 21st and April 18th at 9:15 AM in McMahon Hall.
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There are 2 additional Saturday classes: December 12th and April 10th at 2:00 PM in the church.
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Baptism:
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There are 5 Baptism classes in the fall: October 4th, October 11th, November 15th, November 22nd, and December 13th at 11:45 AM in the Parish Office.
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Class duration: 1 hour.
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Parents and children must attend classes together.
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Confirmation:
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Classes will be held 5 Sundays in the spring: January 24th, January 31st, February 21st, February 28th, and March 14th at 11:45 AM in the Parish Office.
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Class duration: 1 hour.
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Parents and children must attend classes together.
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There will also be liturgical rites during the year and a rehearsal the morning of Easter Vigil.
Non-SPX School 2nd graders & all 3RD-6TH gRADERS
OCIC is a family catechesis program—meaning that parents and children must attend classes together—that is divided into three parts: First Communion, Baptism, and Confirmation classes.
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First Communion:
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Classes begin Sunday, October 4th at 9:15 AM and will be almost every Sunday in the Community Center. View calendar here.
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Baptism:
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There are 5 Baptism classes in the fall: October 4th, October 11th, November 15th, November 22nd, and December 13th at 11:45 AM in the Parish Office.
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Class duration: 1 hour.
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Confirmation:
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Classes will be held 5 Sundays in the spring: January 24th, January 31st, February 21st, February 28th, and March 14th at 11:45 AM in the Parish Office.
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Class duration: 1 hour.
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There will also be liturgical rites during the year and a rehearsal the morning of Easter Vigil.
The last day to register is Saturday, October 31st
Registrations are now open!
Registration Fee:
$80 for 2nd grade students who attend the St. Pius X School
$120 for parishioners,
$150 non-parishioners.
*Please contact Sr. Angelicah at anjuguna@stpius.org if you have challenges with the class fee.*
PS: Once we receive your registration form we will invite you for a one-on-one initial conversation.
Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation
Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, March 27, 2027 at 8:30 PM
Questions? ¿preguntas?
Please email sacraments@stpius.org.
Si tiene preguntas, envie un correo electrónico a sacraments@stpius.org.