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 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments… The OCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."
OCIA is specifically for those 7 years of age through Adulthood who have not yet had a valid Baptism. Adults who still need to receive their First Communion or Confirmation continue their Process of Initiation with Adult Sacrament Classes.
All are Welcome!
OCIA is a process of 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 and children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the 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 WelcomingList Item 2
The first Rite in the OCIA process, usually around the beginning of Advent, the Rite of Welcoming welcomes 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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Rite of ElectionList Item 4
Catechumens and Candidates are received by the bishop and the community around the beginning of Lent, and prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
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Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the OCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic 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.
