Become Catholic – O.C.I.A.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation for Adults is the process that the Catholic Church uses to foster the spiritual journey of adults wishing to become Catholic. It is also the process that helps baptized Catholics who have not received first communion and confirmation, complete their sacraments of initiation.
At St. Joseph, we offer open enrollment for Sacramental preparation, meaning you can start at any time of the year. Most of the time, sessions occur on Wednesday. We meet in the Upper Room at 7 p.m. You will eventually be asked to attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass together with everyone else who is experiencing the preparation process. There are times we meet for special occasions on other days of the week especially in conjunction with the rites of OCIA.
The OCIA process is for adults and children age 7 or over. It is for both those who have already been baptized and those who are not baptized. OCIA is also for Catholics who were baptized but never received 1st Communion and Confirmation.
We’d love to help you on your faith journey. Get started today!
How to Begin
Whether you’ve been coming to Mass for years and are finally ready, or your just interested in learning more about Catholicism, we’re glad you’re here and we are ready to help. To begin, you’ll need to set up a meeting with Deacon Richard Nelson or Alfredo Ramirez, which you can do right here.
The OCIA Process
The OCIA process is full of several different classes, activities, rituals and stages that help you to dive deeper into your relationship with Christ and open your heart to receive the graces that He gives to us in the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
FAQ
Want more information about OCIA? Check out these FAQs to learn more and see if OCIA is for you.
How long is the process?
There is no set length of time for RCIA simply because we do not want to impose a time frame to build your relationship with the Church and God. Just give is a call and we can get you started.
Does this preparation run year-round?
At St. Joseph we run a year-round process. That means if you wish to start inquiring into the Catholic faith, you can start now!
What happens if someone is under 18 years old?
For the Church anyone over the age of “reason” is considered an adult. Therefore, this preparation, although mainly an adult process is adapted for families of children and youth who are not Catholic and whose parents have agreed to allow their children to be received into the Catholic Church. When a child or youth from ages 7 through 18 is admitted into OCIA, parents become part of the process. As a result, OCIA adapted for children and youth is a family experience.
You can contact Children Faith Formation 6 to 11 years old or Adult Faith Formation with Alfredo Ramirez.
What’s the difference in the process for those who are baptized versus those who are not?
Except for some of the rites (special ceremonies) being slightly different, and our expectation that those who are not baptized will take longer to build their relationship with the Church and God, there is little difference. Those who are baptized are eventually named as Candidates and those who are not Baptized are eventually named as catechumens. When received into the Church those who are not baptized will be baptized, confirmed and receive first communion on Holy Saturday night in a Mass called the Easter Vigil. Those who are baptized, even if they are baptized in a different Christian tradition, will experience their first reconciliation, and then be confirmed and receive first communion, either at the Easter Vigil or in November on Christ the King Sunday.
If I was baptized by the Catholic Church and have not received any other sacraments, is OCIA for me?
Yes. It is our expectation that those adults who have only received the sacrament of baptism have not been fully catechized (taught and raised up) in the Catholic faith. It makes sense, therefore, that the RCIA process fits well with those individuals. As a baptized Catholic you would be brought into this preparation as a candidate and complete your initiation sacraments.
What day of the week does the RCIA group meet?
Most of the time, sessions occur on a Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Upper Room. You will eventually be asked to attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass together with everyone else who is experiencing the OCIA process. There are times we meet for special occasions on other days of the week especially in conjunction with the rites of OCIA.