Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

What is OCIA?

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the journey or process by which a person (an inquirer) of catechetical age encounters Christ, becomes more acquainted with the Christian faith, commits his/her life to becoming a disciple/follower of Christ, that is, experiences initial conversion, and becomes a member of his Mystical Body, the Catholic Church. Ultimately, OCIA is a journey to a restored relationship with the Father in and through his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, this process involves a wholistic approach, which includes not only intellectual formation, but human, pastoral, spiritual, as well as apostolic. OCIA, then, is the process by which someone is introduced, trained, and initiated in the Christian way of life, which only begins with the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.

Are you a leader for OCIA at your parish?

Directors, coordinators, catechists, leaders…this website was designed to be a place for resources just for you! Find all of the latest resources for the OCIA Journey on there!

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Important Forms for the RCIA Process

Rite of Election Parish Schedule 2025 Rite of Election 2025 Registration Form Godparent/Sponsor Form

What is the process?

The OCIA process is broken down into four significant stages, some of which include a number of steps or rites: Evangelization and the Pre-catechumenate, the Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy. Each candidate or “inquirer” goes through each of these stages at a pace that allows for the following things to happen: receive a basic understanding of the Gospel and all the aspects of the Christian way of life, which include prayer, morals, and Christian doctrine; have an initial conversion, which must take place before the “inquirer” receives the Rite of Entrance into the order of the Catechumens; build a solid relationship with Christ and began to live as his committed disciple; become organically integrated into the local Christian community; receive the Sacrament of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion; and learn about the importance of ongoing Christian growth and participation in the Church’s mission of evangelization. This process is at least 2 years but can be as long as needed so that the candidate matures enough in their conversion and faith (see OCIA 7).

Where do I begin?

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or if you want to become Catholic, please contact the parish closest to you at the link below.

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The Four Stages

Evangelization and the Pre-catechumenate

This stage or period can be summed up in two words: search and commitment. During the period of Evangelization and the Pre-catechumenate, the “inquirer” first comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, has an opportunity to hear and respond the Gospel message by acquiring a basic understand of its implications to their life and freely convert to Christ, who as the Way, the Truth, and the Life satisfies their deepest longings (see OCIA 36). Of course, if the “inquirer” is not ready to make such a commitment, their “search” continues until they are ready to make this commitment. If the “inquirer” is ready to commit their life to Christ, then he or she is formally accepted into the next period of initiation by receiving the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of the Catechumens.

The Catechumenate

“The catechumenate is a lengthy period during which catechumens receive pastoral instruction and practice appropriate disciplines; by the held of these their spiritual frame of mind, already manifested by their entrance, is brought to maturity” (OCIA 75). This is achieved through doctrinal formation, spiritual formation, liturgical formation, and apostolic formation given in a combination of teaching sessions, prayerful encounters, and through the accompaniment of a sponsor that apprentices the catechumen in the Christian Way of life. This time period for this part of the process “depends both on the grace of God and on various circumstances” but “should last long enough for their conversion and faith to mature, even over several years, if need be” (OCIA 76). The standard set forth by the USCCB for the period for the catechumenate is at least 1 year, preferable from Lent of one year to Easter of the following year (Norm 4 of the National Statutes).

Purification and Enlightenment

The period following the Catechumenate begins with the Rite of Election, in which the catechumens change their status to be members of the Elect that will receive the sacraments at the nearest Easter Vigil. This period between the Vigil and the end of the Catechumenate is “given to a more intense preparation of spirit and heart, which has the character of recollection rather than of catechesis, and is intended to purify hearts and minds by examination of conscience and penitence” (OCIA 139). This period, referred to as the period of Purification and Enlightenment, contains the Scrutinies and the Rites of Handing on of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.

Post Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy

This period begins after the reception of the Elect into the Catholic Church, changing their status to neophytes. For the duration of the Easter season, “the community together with the neophytes, by meditation on the GOspel, by participation in the Eucharist, and by the exercise of charity, makes progress in understanding the Paschal Mystery more deeply and carrying it over more and more into the practice of daily life” (OCIA 244). Rather than just catechesis, the period of Mystagogy seeks to bring a fuller and more fruitful understanding of the mysteries of the Church to the neophytes in their new reality. This period concludes at the end of the Easter season.