What is the OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or OCIA, is a community-based process for the formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church or for baptized Catholics who are missing sacraments (Eucharist or Confirmation) to complete their full initiation into the Catholic faith.
Who can participate in the OCIA process?
- Unbaptized adults (catechumens)
- Adults baptized in another Christian community who seek to become Catholic
- Adults baptized in the Catholic faith who have not completed their full initiation and are missing one or both of the sacraments that follow baptism (Eucharist and Confirmation)
First Stage |
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Time for: Evangelization For: Sympathizers or Candidates Purpose: Awakening Faith Time for: Getting to know each other, sharing personal stories, questions, time to proclaim the message of salvation, encourage first conversion, introduce to parish life. Duration: As long as necessary. Culmination: With the First Step: Celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Catechumenate and the Rite of Welcome to baptized adults who want to complete their Christian initiation. |
Second Stage |
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Time for: Catechumenate and Catechetical Formation For: Catechumens and Candidates Purpose: To deepen the first conversion and to deliver the Tradition of the Church Time for: To deepen the faith and conversion within the living community through: Catechesis, Conviviality, Prayer and worship and Introduction to the apostolic life. Celebration of the Word, minor exorcisms, blessings. Duration: As long as necessary. Culmination: With the Second Step: Rite of Election and Call to Continuous Conversion |
Third Stage |
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Time for: Purification and Illumination For: Chosen (non-baptized) Purpose: To remove weakness and sin. To affirm and strengthen what is holy. Time for: Meditation, Lenten retreat and preparation for the Easter Sacraments. The Scrutinies, delivery of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. Duration: Lent Culmination: With the Third Step: Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (non-baptized) or Rite of Reception into full Catholic Communion (baptized Christians) |
Fourth Stage |
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Time of: Mystagogy For: Neophytes Purpose: Celebrate faith, ministries, and the sending. Time for: Deepening sacramental life with special attention to the Gospel, the Eucharist, and the Mission of the Catholic Church and each of its members. Duration: Easter Time and as long as necessary. |