Adults – Want to be Catholic?

Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA)

OCIA is for adults (over 17) who are unbaptized and would like to join the Catholic Church (Catechumens). It is also for adults who are baptized Christians who would like to join the Catholic Church and baptized Catholics who want to complete their sacraments (Candidates).

What are the steps of Christian Initiation?

Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. After a conversation with a priest the person, known as an “inquirer,” may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite for Entrance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen. The Candidates are included in the Rite of Welcome.

The Period of the Catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God’s inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church.

The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. At the Cathedral Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the Archbishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect. Candidates experience The Call to Continuing Conversion.

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday. The Catechumens receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The Candidates receive the Sacraments they need. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education in the Period of Mystagogy. This period continues until Pentecost. ~USCCB

If you are interested, please call the Parish Office at (626) 792-1343 for information and registration.