O.C.I.A.

This faith journey guides seekers toward a lifelong dedication as disciples of Christ and, if they choose, membership in the Catholic Church. Along the way, participants deepen their faith together, are embraced by a community of believers through special Rites, engage in prayer and liturgy, and learn the significance of faithful stewardship.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Catholic Church’s process for welcoming and preparing new members. It offers a warm invitation and provides spiritual formation tailored to each inquirer’s journey.

Many Catholics are born into Catholic families and gradually grow into full participation in the Church’s sacramental life. Others, already baptized in different Christian traditions, become Catholic through a solemn profession of faith, Confirmation, and participation in the Eucharist with the Catholic community.

Those who have never been baptized enter the Church through a formation process that culminates in receiving Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist during the Church’s annual Easter Vigil celebration.

• Those never baptized as Christians
• Those baptized in another Christian faith tradition and now interested in the Catholic tradition
• Those baptized in the Catholic tradition, whose total formation was incomplete
• Children, teens and adults

The OCIA is not merely a class or program; it is a transformative journey of faith. It guides individuals toward a lifelong commitment as Catholics through a process of conversion. This call to ongoing conversion and renewal is not limited to OCIA participants—every Catholic is invited and called to walk this formation path daily.

The preparation process generally takes about a year, though some may require additional time to feel fully ready. In most cases, new members are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil, a profound milestone in their faith journey.

Adults who seek full initiation into the Catholic faith walk this path alongside the faith community, growing in discipleship as they follow Jesus Christ. Non-baptized adults typically spend at least one liturgical year—or longer—undergoing a transformation of heart and way of life. For baptized adults, the journey is personalized, with the length of preparation determined by their individual spiritual needs.

The OCIA unfolds in four distinct stages, each marked by a special ritual that celebrates the individual’s deepening commitment to saying “yes” to the Catholic faith.

• Inquiry – A time of exploration, where individuals search for God, seek meaning in life, and ask fundamental questions about the Catholic faith.
• Catechumenate – A period of formation, where participants grow in their understanding of the Gospel and delve deeper into Catholic traditions.
• Purification & Enlightenment – A Lenten season of prayer and reflection, preparing to receive God’s new life in the Easter celebration.
• Mystagogia – A post-Easter period of reflection, where individuals deepen their understanding of the sacraments and embrace their mission to live out Christ’s teachings in the world.

We accompany adults who feel called to seek faith in the living God or a deeper expression of their faith through full communion with the Church. Through education, formation, and community support, we guide them as they freely and consciously embrace a life of faith and conversion.

Adults that have shown a desire to begin their spiritual journey to become fully initiated into the Catholic faith spend time with members of the community to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Non-baptized adults typically spend an entire liturgical year or more as they undergo a transformation of heart and lifestyle. The journey for baptized adults varies, with the timeframe tailored to their individual needs.

Our ENTIRE parish community takes part in educating, forming and supporting those seeking God. There are many ways you can be more actively involved.

For more information please call Gina Rensi at the Parish office – 440.256.1412.