Are you curious about becoming Catholic? Are you Catholic but have not received all your Sacraments?
If you can answer "yes" to either of these questions, OCIA is for you!
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA (formerly RCIA), is a communal process for individuals, including unbaptized adults, baptized non-Catholics, and baptized Catholics needing further sacraments, to become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. This gradual, faith-based journey involves prayer, study, and community involvement, culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
If you are interested in OCIA at St. Rose or even just have questions,
please complete and submit the electronic OCIA Interest Form below,
and Deacon Bill will be in touch with you!
St. Rose OCIA Testimonials
All are Welcome!
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.
Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.
Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.
OCIA is a Journey
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:
List of Services
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Pre-CatechumenateList Item 1
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.
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Order of InitiationList Item 2
The first Order in the OCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
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. Catechumens also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Order of ElectionList Item 4
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
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Sacraments of Initiation
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.
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Mystagogy
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.