The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
A journey of discernment, belonging, and faith.
Thank you for your interest in learning more about Christian Initiation. We appreciate the time you’ve been with us at Ascension and hope to assist you or a loved one through the discernment of becoming fully Catholic within the Sacraments.
Thank you for your interest in learning more about Christian Initiation! We appreciate the time you’ve been with us at Ascension and hope to assist you or a loved one through the discernment of becoming fully Catholic within the Sacraments.
This page is intentionally for unbaptized adults. Adult, in the Church, does not mean the legal age set by most states. She defines an adult as one who has reached the catechetical age (roughly seven to eight) and has attained the use of reason (moral responsibility) aka Children of the catechetical age. To learn about initiation for children younger than the catechetical age, please see our other sacramental pages.
If you were baptized in a Christian community under the Trinitarian formula “…in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”, but would like to receive other sacraments, please see the particular page for that sacrament for more information.
Sacraments of Initiation
Teaching our children the catechism of the C
“Sacrament” is a Latin-based word that replaced an earlier Greek-based word: mystery. Participation in the mysteries of Christ cannot be fully explained, however, we can attempt partial explanations.
The Sacraments of Initiation are so named because all three are necessary to become full members of the Christian faithful. They lay the foundation for us as each one is meant to strengthen our belief and forge a deeper relationship with God.
Baptism sets us free from sin to share in the life of Christ. We become a part of God’s family John 3:5. To carry on Christ’s mission in the world Matthew 28:18–20, we need the gifts of the Holy Spirit that filled Christ in his lifetime.
Our first Eucharist introduces us to “the source and summit of the Christian life” CCC 1324. We receive the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ and are reminded of His love and sacrifice John 6:50–58.
Church is an essential part of building a faith community. It is a responsibility shared by both the parents and the parish.
Children who do not attend the parish school are given the chance to learn many of the same lessons — and to receive sacrament preparation when needed — through our Religious Education program.
Classes are held on selected Sundays at 9:30 AM in the school library and end in time for 10:30 Mass. The first class of the year is September 13.
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