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OCITOCIT (Order of Christian Initiation for Teens) is for students in 6th-12th grade who are interested in becoming Catholic or are in need of any sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and/or first communion).
Prior to starting OCIT, teens (and parents) must participate in a Search Group.
Search Group Registration is now open for Fall 2026! -
The OCIT Process
- Step One: Join a Search Group
- Step Two: Schedule an Intake Meeting
- Step Three: Registration & Rite of Entrance/Welcome
- Step Four: Complete All Five Modules
- Step Five: Receive your Sacraments
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Step One: Join a Search GroupPrior to beginning OCIT, students and parents must participate in an 9-week Search Group. These small groups are centered around the big questions of life and exploring the heart of our Catholic Faith. They are designed to present teens and families with a base to decide if they want to pursue their sacraments and a life in the church.
Register for Fall 2026 Search Groups
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Step Two: Schedule an Intake MeetingBefore or during participation in Search Groups, the youth ministry team will reach out to schedule an OCIT intake meeting. In this meeting, we will get to know you and your family and go over the OCIT process and your teen's sacramental prep timeline. We will also give you information about registration.
Student & parents/adult should attend these meetings.
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Step Three: Registration and Rite of Entrance/WelcomeOnce you have completed your Search Group and had an intake meeting with the Youth Director, you will be given the link to register for OCIT.
You will need the following:- A copy of your teen's baptism certificate (or birth certificate only if not baptized)
- Completed sponsor form (this will be given to you in advance)
To kick off the OCIT process, your teen will participate in the Rite of Entrance/Welcome.- The Rite of Entrance welcomes those who have not been baptized into what is called the catechumenate. You can think of it almost as Catholic apprenticeship. This marks the beginning of their journey to entering the Catholic church.
- The Rite of Welcome marks the official start of formation for those who have already been baptized and are preparing for confirmation and first Communion.
Your teen will then begin OCIT classes at the start of the next module.
The cost of the class is $125, which covers the costs of books and materials.
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Step Four: Complete All Five ModulesIn order to make our program accesible to start at multiple points throughout the year, we have broken our program down to five modules that need to be completed prior to receiving sacraments. These modules must all be completed in person. We do not have an online option as Christian community is essential to living the faith.
Modules:- Salvation History (10 weeks): Students will survey the overarching narrative of the Bible and explore the relationship between God and his people through the course of history.
- The Creed (6 weeks): Students will learn about the core tenants of the Catholic faith that we profess in the Nicene and Apostles Creed.
- Sacraments & Liturgy (10 weeks): Students will learn about the seven sacraments, the Mass, and the liturgy of the church.
- The Moral Life (10 weeks): Students will learn about living the moral life through an understanding of freedom, conscience, sin, virtue,the ten commandments, and the beatitudes.
- Prayer (6 weeks): Students will learn to pray and focus on growing in relationship with God
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Step Five: Receive your SacramentsOnce all modules have been completed, students will receive their sacraments at the next available opportunity.
Please note - those preparing for baptism will need to wait for the next Easter Vigil to receive sacraments.
For those who are already baptized, there will likely be two opportunities per year for confirmation & first Communion.
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FAQs
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Starting in Fall 2026, all OCIT classes will be on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm. All classes are in-person.
Registration is required to attend.
If you completed Year One last year, Year Two will continue to meet on Thursdays. Please contact [email protected] for the registration link for Year Two.
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OCIT stands for the Order of Christian Initiation for Teens. It was formerly called RCIT.
OCIT refers to the process by which teens are prepared to enter into full communion with the church through the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist).
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The preparation process takes approximately two academic years to complete. Search Groups take 9-10 weeks, and OCIT itself takes about 14 months. Exact timelines will vary dependent on when you begin the process.
The sacraments are the most amazing gift we’ve been given, and they should transform us. They are meant to be received in the context of relationship, with God, and with his church. Relationships take time to build, to grow, and to bear fruit.
Our program focuses on accompanying teens as they build a relationship with God and begin to understand our story and what Christ has done for us, as well as diving deeper into the beliefs of the church, the sacraments, and how to live as a Christian.
Our hope is that in taking the time the teens need in order to truly come to know and love God, they might be transformed by the sacraments and live in faith the rest of their lives.
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Becoming Catholic - Not Baptized
If you are becoming Catholic and have never been baptized, you will be baptized, confirmed, and receive first Communion at the Easter vigil once your preparation is complete. You will also receive first reconciliation in the weeks following your initiation into the faith.
Becoming Catholic - Baptized in Another Denomination
If you are becoming Catholic but were validly baptized (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) in another denomination, you will make a profession of faith in the Catholic church, and receive the sacrament of reconciliation during the preparation process. You will receive the sacraments of confirmation and first Communion together at a mass celebrated in the spring once preparation is complete.
Baptized Catholic - Needing First Communion & Confirmation
If you are a baptized Catholic who has not received any other sacraments, you will receive the sacrament of reconciliation during the preparation process. You will receive the sacraments of confirmation and first Communion together at a mass celebrated in the spring once preparation is complete.
Baptized Catholic Who Has Already Received First Communion - Needing Confirmation
If you are a baptized Catholic who has already received first Communion, you will receive the sacrament of confirmation at a mass celebrated in the spring, once your preparation is complete.
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The fee for preparation is $125, which directly covers the costs of books, curriculum, materials, and snacks for your teen.
We never want cost to be an obstacle to anyone participating in preparation. If you cannot afford the class fee, please reach out to us at [email protected] and we will work with you on financial aid.
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Please contact the youth director at [email protected] to discuss what your preparation will look like.
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If you are a high school student and your parents are not Catholic, you are welcome to join us. Your parents are welcome to participate in the intake meeting and Search Groups, but the requirement will be waived for them.
For middle school students, parents must still participate in the intake meeting.
However, if you are under 18, you must have parental consent to participate in sacramental preparation and must turn in the signed release form prior to participating.
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In May of 2015, Archbishop Samuel Aquila released a Pastoral Letter calling for the restoration of “the Sacraments of Initiation to their original order, that is, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist” (this is also referred to as “The Restored Order”).
All churches in the Archdiocese of Denver restored the order of the Sacraments of Initiation to their original order by Archbishop Aquila’s deadline of 2020. As a result, the standard age for receiving both the sacraments of confirmation and first Communion is now 8-9 years old/3rd grade. Preparation begins in 2nd grade.
However, if you missed the restored order, moved from a different diocese, or are new to the faith, it is never too late to receive your sacraments. OCIT is here to help you receive full initiation in the Catholic Church.
To watch a video about the Restored Order and to read the Pastoral Letter “Saints Among Us” from Archbishop Aquila please visit the link below.
Restored Order
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A sponsor/godparent is someone who is a practicing and faithful Catholic who strives to follow Jesus fully in their lives, and who can mentor and guide the person who is preparing to receive the sacraments. It is NOT just an honorary title to give away.
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- A sponsor must be over the age of 16 and cannot be the parent of the person they are sponsoring.
- A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has received all of their sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, Communion)
- A sponsor must attend Catholic Mass EVERY Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.
- A sponsor must receive the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) at least once per year
- A sponsor must strive to follow the Ten Commandments
- A sponsor must either be married in the Catholic Church (the wedding took place at church and was officiated by a priest or deacon, or it was convalidated by the church) OR they must be single and living chastely (no sex outside of marriage).
We will provide you a sponsor form that needs to be completed and signed by your sponsor and signed by their parish priest, verifying that they meet all of the requirements.
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You only need one. You are allowed to have up to two, one male and one female. If you have two, they must complete separate individual forms, even if they are a married couple.
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Contact Us
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Katelyn Swisherkatelynsihmco.orgDirector of Youth Ministry -
Dan Quintanadanqihmco.orgYouth Ministry Assistant
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