Becoming Catholic

An Entrance into the Catholic Faith

Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? Do you or does someone you know wish to become Catholic? Are you a baptized Catholicbut have never been confirmed? Are you curious about some aspects of our faith and tradition?

Then the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA) might be for you! The OCIA is a process through which adults deepen their relationship with Christ and become fully initiated into the Catholic Church. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, the process for exploring the faith will begin on October 1st after Mass. Fill in the brief form below and we will get right back to you with details.

Brett D’Amore
OCIA Instructor

A Strong Start in the Faith: The Catholic OCIA Stages

Faith will be the foundation of your life. Make that foundation solid! Go slowly, make sure you’ve developed the basics well. That will help you avoid discouragement and frustration, two big enemies of faith development.

Also be aware of the importance of orthodoxy in the information you receive. (“Orthodoxy” here means “accurate and faithful” teaching.)

Make sure that you’re satisfied with your own faith development in each of the Catholic OCIA stages before moving on to the next. Don’t let pressure from anyone else make you move on. Also watch out for calendar-based pressure – don’t say things like, “If I don’t start catechesis now, I won’t be done this Easter!” That’s the wrong basis for making a decision about your faith and your life!

We know, sometimes it seems like it takes a long time to work through all of the Catholic OCIA stages. But…Don’t rush it!

Inquiry

The initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You’re asking questions and checking it out, but aren’t yet ready to commit.

Catechumenate

Those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you’re developing your faith and are being “catechized” – learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.

Purification and Preparation

The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare you to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter. If you’re following the OCIA process, you’ll go through a beautiful series of Gospel-based meditations during Lent, which is the time frame of this period.

Initiation

Initiation itself, the culmination of the whole process! You’re received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you’ll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you’ve already been baptized, you won’t be baptized again.)

Mystagogy

After reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.