What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church in the first and second centuries.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for adults who desire to join the Catholic faith and for those seeking more information on the Catholic Church. OCIA can also be a method for Catholics to complete their reception of the initiation sacraments. This rite is designed for adults “who after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God.”
For many years, those seeking to become full members of the church participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). This was revised by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2021.
OCIA is a spiritual process through which non-baptized men and women, as well as baptized non-Catholics and non-confirmed Catholic enter fully in the Catholic Church. It includes several steps including weekly study sessions, prayer and certain rites at Mass. Those participating undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and/or the Holy Eucharist.
All are Welcome!
This process is for Adults 18+ and includes extensive study, exploration, faith-sharing and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
OCIA is a Journey
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:
List of Services
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Pre-CatechumenateList Item 1
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
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Rite of InitiationList Item 2
The first Rite in the RCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Purification & EnlightenmentList Item 4
Normally occuring during Lent, this is a time of reflection centered on conversion.
Goals include:
- Intense Spiritual Preparation
- Interior Reflection, not Catechetical Instruction
- Purify Minds and Hearts
- Deepen the knowledge of Christ the Savior
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Sacraments of Intitiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the OCIA are formally welcomed into the community through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. For those
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Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. The period of Mystagogy is the time after the participants have received their sacraments and are fully initiated into the Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
OCIA Team
People journeying through the OCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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