What is OCIA?

OCIA
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

What is OCIA?
OCIA is the process for all adults (ages 18 and older) to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.  There are three Sacraments of Initiation leading them into the fullness of the faith - Baptism, First Eucharist (First Communion), and Confirmation.  OCIA is the catechetical (teaching) process to prepare adults to receive these Sacraments, plus the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to begin their Christian journey into the fullness of the Catholic Faith.

WHO IS OCIA FOR?
OCIA is for those who have never been validly baptized (Catechumens) and are just beginning their  journey of Faith.  Most likely these are ones who have never been 'churched' in any religion or if they are familiar with a particular religion, it has been on a sporadic or random basis.  These will receive all three of the Sacraments of Initiation plus the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

OCIA is also for those adults who are coming from a non-Catholic or Protestant Faith and have already been validly baptized.  Most likely these individuals are 'churched' in their particular religion and for a variety of reasons are now wishing to become Catholic.  These individuals would be referred to as Candidates and will receive First Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation.

OCIA is also for those adults who were baptized Catholic and have not received their First Communion and Confirmation and are in need of completing their initiation into the Faith.


WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
 
CATECHETICAL (Teaching/Study) PERIOD:
In early August, the required catechetical period begins with the final session being held on Holy Saturday.  Those who have attended the OCIA sessions and met all the requirements to receive their Sacraments, will be brought into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday evening.  Each person attending the sessions will be paired with an active Catholic who is a registered parishioner at St. Michael's as their 'Sponsor' to assist them through this journey.
The teaching is framed into 4 parts:
1.  INQUIRY on the part of the registrants/Precatechumenate & Evangelization of the part of the  Church 
2.  THE CATECHUMENATE - Begins with the Rite of Acceptance into the Catechumenate for those who are not yet baptized & the Welcome of those who are already validly baptized who are seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (First Eucharist & Confirmation); this includes catechesis & the Rites connected with catechesis
3.  PERIOD OF PURIFICATION & ENLIGHTENMENT: Coincides with the Lenten preparation for the Easter celebration and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation; it includes the celebration of the Rites belonging to this period.
4.  MYSTAGOGY:  This period extends through the Easter season and ends on Pentecost; it is a time for deepening the Christian experience, for spiritual growth, and for entering more fully into the life and unity of the community.  This period is made up of seven additional sessions AFTER Easter which are held on Sundays for one hour, taking the new Catholics into a deeper relationship with Christ with emphasis on how to live as a Catholic.

When does OCIA meet?
The regular sessions of OCIA (from August to Easter Sunday) meet on Sundays from 9:00am until 11:30 am .  Breakfast-type snacks will be available.  There are a minimal number of Saturday sessions that are scheduled only when the required resources are not available on Sunday.  There may also be one 'field trip' on a Saturday as well.  The format for the sessions is lecture and small group discussion supplemented with videos on occasion.  You can review the OCIA Calendar by clicking on "OCIA Calendar" on the upper left under "Faith Formation/RCIA-Becoming Catholic'.

HOW DO YOU REGISTER?  Complete the contact form which can be found under "What is RCIA" on the upper left under 'Faith Formation/RCIA-Becoming Catholic'.
                       OR
 Contact Jeanne Yursik, OCIA Director, at  [email protected]  .