Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
What is OCIA and who is it for?
OCIA stands for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a process within the Catholic Church designed to welcome and prepare adults who wish to become full members of the Catholic faith.
The OCIA program is primarily intended for three groups of people:
- Unbaptized adults: These individuals have never been baptized in any Christian tradition.
- Baptized Christians from other denominations: This includes individuals who have been baptized in other Christian traditions but wish to become members of the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Catholics needing First Communion and/or Confirmation: Some individuals may have been baptized as Catholics but did not receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation at the usual age. They participate in OCIA to prepare for receiving these sacraments.
The OCIA process is led by a team of clergy, catechists, and other parishioners who support and guide the participants through their faith journey. It is an essential and joyful part of the Catholic Church's mission to welcome new members into the community and help them grow in their relationship with God.
What are the stages of OCIA?
The OCIA process typically involves several stages:
1. Inquiry: This is the initial phase where individuals learn about the Catholic faith and discern if they want to continue the journey.
2. Catechumenate: Those who decide to proceed become catechumens and enter a period of more structured and formal instruction in Catholic beliefs, practices, and traditions.
3. Lent: The period of Lent is a significant time for catechumens as they engage in more intense preparation and spiritual reflection in preparation for receiving the sacraments.
4. Initiation: This usually takes place during the Easter Vigil Mass, where the catechumens receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
5. Mystagogy: After initiation, there is a period of continued learning and reflection to deepen the new Catholics' understanding of their faith and integration into the Catholic community.
What will I learn through OCIA?
Through OCIA you will learn about the fundamental and core beliefs of Christianity. You will gain an understanding of concepts such as truth, sin, and the role of Jesus Christ in our lives. We will explore who God is and how He has revealed Himself to us, as well as who Satan is and how he seeks to ruin souls. Additionally, we will delve into the significance of the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. Below are some of the specific questions we will discuss.
- What is truth?
- Who is God and how He created us?
- What is sin and its results?
- Who is Satan and how has he captured us?
- Who is Jesus Christ and what happened He died on the Cross?
- What is the appropriate response to Jesus' death on the Cross?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What is prayer and how do we pray?
- What is a Sacrament?
- What is the communion of Saints?
Is OCIA a class on Catholicism?
No, it's important to remember that OCIA is not a “Catholicism Class". It is not intended to be strictly an intellectual activity that teaches about the Catholic Faith. Our OCIA class is a process that forms persons into Christians in a Catholic community that prays for them.
This type of faith formation expounds on the four pillars of Christian formation.
- Academic Formation: The actual mental education of learning the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.
- Spiritual Formation: The growth of the individual’s relationship with God as they encounter His presence in their life and learn to pray with the heart and mind of the Church.
- Human Formation: The change in one’s day-to-day life as one enters deeper into the life of Christ. This is particularly shown by turning away from sin, adhering to the moral law, and increasing virtue.
- Pastoral Formation: The practice of taking the faith you’ve received and doing something with it.
Register for OCIA
Online registration is open for our next OCIA class.
