If you are seeking God’s chosen path for yourself, or helping a friend or family member discern their path, and wonder if that path is leading to the Catholic Faith, we invite you, your friend or family member to participate in a process called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

You may be wondering if this wasn't called something else, and you would be right. Prior to December 2024, this process was known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA. The Church updated the translation of the document on which RCIA was based (it was originally in Latin), and to ensure the focus is to "invite Candidates (the unbaptized) and Catechumens (those baptized in another Christian tradition) into a continuous process of spiritual formation as opposed to fixed checkpoints on the path to Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation."   "By making the entire process an 'order,' the Candidate or Catechumen understands the rites received in church or at the parish are just one part of the ongoing journey of discipleship that will culminate with Baptism and Confirmation — usually during the Easter Vigil — but will continue throughout their lives."

Simply inquiring about the Catholic Church does not obligate you to become a member.  Before any formal process begins, there is a time of Inquiry during which your questions are answered and the basic teachings of the Catholic Faith are explained. There is also the opportunity to speak with persons who have journeyed through the OCIA process.

OCIA is a process of Faith development and catechetical instruction in which adults and children of catechetical age enter into full membership with the Roman Catholic Church community. This gradual process, endorsed by the ancient practice of the Church, is suited to the spiritual journey of adults. It depends on God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individual, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place.

In the early church, the initiation process applied only to unbaptized persons. Although a clear distinction must always be made between the baptized and the unbaptized, the Order of today is intended not only for the unbaptized, but also for persons baptized in other Christian traditions and for persons baptized Catholic who never received the other initiation sacraments. Unbaptized Catechumens and baptized Candidates most often travel together through the rites of the initiation process.

OCIA Questions and Answers - Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Catholic Church and OCIA.

Recommended Reading - two books that are highly recommended for those who are beginning their OCIA experience.

Instructional Materials - An overview of the books we will use as we study the Catholic Church and its teachings.

Forms, Downloads, and Websites of Interest - Lots of helpful information.

OCIA Sponsor Information - Have you been asked to be a sponsor, or would you like to volunteer to be a sponsor?
 
2025 - 2026 Participant Information Webpage (Password Required)