OCIA
OCIA: How Adults Become Catholic
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) · 8 steps
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly called the RCIA, from first inquiry to the Easter Vigil and beyond: who it is for, the periods and rites in order, what happens at each, and how long it takes.
8 steps · About 20 minutes
Every Easter Vigil, in parishes across the world, adults are baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time, and other adults already baptized in other Christian communities are received into full communion with the Catholic Church. The path that brings them there is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the OCIA, known in English until recently as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA. It is not a class but a journey in stages, each marked by a liturgical rite, that restores the ancient catechumenate of the early Church. This guide gives the whole road in order, so that an inquirer, a sponsor or a parishioner can see where each step leads.
What you need
- A parish: the OCIA is always lived in a particular community, not online or alone
- A willingness to take part in Sunday Mass from the beginning, even before you can receive Communion
- Your baptismal certificate, if you were baptized in another Christian community
- Patience: the journey is measured in seasons, not weeks
When to pray it
Inquiry can begin at any time of year. The Rite of Election is celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, the scrutinies on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, and mystagogy through the Easter season.
Steps
Step 1: Know who the OCIA is for
The Order is written first for adults who have never been baptized; they are called inquirers, then catechumens, then the elect, and they receive all three sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, at the Easter Vigil. It is adapted for baptized Christians of other communities who seek full communion with the Catholic Church; they are called candidates, are never re-baptized, and are received by a profession of faith followed by Confirmation and the Eucharist, which need not be at the Vigil. It is adapted again for baptized Catholics who were never taught the faith or confirmed, who prepare for Confirmation and first Communion. Children of catechetical age follow the same path in a form suited to them.
Tips
- There are three different situations: the unbaptized (catechumens), baptized non-Catholic Christians (candidates for reception), and baptized Catholics never catechised or confirmed. Ask which one you are; the rites differ.
- A valid baptism is never repeated. If you were baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, you will not be baptized again.
- The United States norms envisage about a year of formation for catechumens, usually from one Easter season to the next, but the length is set by your readiness, not the calendar.
- Raise any previous marriage, yours or your spouse's, at the first meeting; it may need to be addressed and is better begun early.