About OCIT
OCIT Program Coordinator: Lori Mathews, 704-543-7677 x1037
The Order of Christian Initiation for Teens is a program designed to help prepare high school youth for the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Depending upon where the teen is on their faith journey, the process may include one or all of the sacraments. There are five elements which make up the Sacramental process: Attendance at Sessions, Be The Church, Retreat, Selection of Sponsor, Selection of Saint.
2025-2026 Program Year
OCIT SESSIONS: Candidates must be enrolled for the full program year. Attendance is expected at all sessions, but we recognize that illness or unforeseen family circumstances may prevent attendance. For that reason, we build in a grace for four absences as well as the ability to ‘swap sessions’ as defined at the link below. Please note that if a candidate misses more than four sessions, they will be required to re-enroll and begin the OCIT process again the following year.
Be The Church
During the program year, candidates are expected to begin to more closely discern how the Holy Spirit is guiding them to a role in the life of the parish. Each candidate is expected to participate in nine Be The Church experiences. The candidate must submit a reflection of their experiences via the link below. No more than two experiences may be the same and one experience outside of the parish is allowed. The experiences must be completed by May 1, 2026.
The Retreat
Candidates and their parent are expected to participate in a retreat experience to complete their preparation. Dates for the spring will be sent out to parents in an email.
The Sponsor
A candidate’s sponsor should be viewed as a lifelong guide in faith. The responsibility of the sponsor is to present the candidate to the Bishop at the Mass of Confirmation and to guide them in the Catholic faith everyday forward. A sponsor must be at least sixteen years of age, a practicing Catholic who has received all Sacraments of Initiation and lives a life of faith abiding by the truths and precepts of the Catholic Church. The sponsor can not be the parent or legal guardian of the candidate. Once chosen, the sponsor will need to complete the form found at the link below, or provide a letter from their home parish. Sponsor Form must be turned in by March 15, 2026.
The Saint
Candidates will choose a saint to be their heavenly prayer champion and lifelong guide. The chosen will be the name used during the anointing and will be entered into the sacramental records alongside the candidate’s given baptismal name. Only names of canonized or beatified (blessed) saints recognized by the Catholic Church can be chosen as confirmation saints. Candidates are expected to write a personal reflection at least three paragraphs in length which tells of who you are, who your saint is and why you feel a connection to this saint. Saint Essay must be turned in by March 15, 2026.