OCIA
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Thinking about becoming Catholic?
To start your journey, please complete an OCIA registration form.
We encourage you to also join our parish.
WHAT IS OCIA?
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The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA (formerly RCIA), is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church.
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OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE OCIA PROCESS?
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Un-baptized adults.
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Adults baptized in non-Trinitarian formula.
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Adults baptized as Catholic, but lack First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
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Adults baptized & confirmed infants in the Catholic Church, but lack First Holy Communion.
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Adults baptized in other Christian Churches, in the Trinitarian formula w/water.
WHAT IS THE OCIA JOURNEY?
Pre-Catechumenate
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This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
Rite of Acceptance
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The first Rite in the OCIA process, the Rite of Acceptance accepts new members into the worshipping community.
Catechumenate
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The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
Rite of Election
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Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
Sacraments of Initiation
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At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the RCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Mystagogy
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This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
For more information, contact
Sister Lisa Marie Doty, FDCC,
Director of Faith Formation and Education
at the Faith Formation & OCIA Office, or 916-444-5364
Please submit printed forms to:
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - CFF/OCIA Office
1017 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814