Who is OCIA for?

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Those not baptized

Those who are not baptized in any Christian denomination but who wish to explore joining the Catholic Church

Baptized in another Christian denomination

Those who are baptized in another Christian denomination but who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and perhaps to join the Catholic Church

Baptized as a child, want to receive sacraments

Those who were baptized Catholic as children, but were not raised in the Church or have not made their First Holy Communion or their Confirmation

 
 

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.

+ Our OCIA Program has now started! Registration is closed - please pray for our catechists and students!

+ Our OCIA Program has now started! Registration is closed - please pray for our catechists and students!

Are you interested in becoming Catholic?  Are you a Baptized Catholic that would like to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion and/or Confirmation?

OCIA, which stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), is a process through which men and women enter the Catholic Church or becoming fully initiated Catholics by completing their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation). It includes several stages marked by classroom instruction, prayer, and rites (blessings and minor exorcisms) at Mass. Participants in the OCIA are initially known as Inquirers (the unbaptized) or Candidates (those who are Baptized). Inquirers become Catechumens once formally accepted through the Rite of Acceptance, and then finally become known as Elect following the Rite of Election early in Lent. Both Candidates and Inquirers / Catechumens / Elect undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel message, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil in early Spring.

Many actively practicing and fully initiated Catholics choose to participate in the OCIA/RCIA process as well to brush up and/or flesh out their knowledge of the faith. We publish our class schedule so that every member of the parish who would like to join for one, several or all our sessions can feel free to do so. The sessions (25 total) take place Sunday afternoons prior to our 4 PM Sunday Mass from August through Easter.




Prerequisites

  • Children must be at least eight years old.

  • All minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

  • Adults of any age (18-108) are welcome to participate.

  • Copies of valid sacramental certificates must be provided for all Sacraments already received. Email a copy to cmorris@hforange.org.




Program Flow

  • Participants attend classes most Sundays August through March.

  • There are several Rites that participants will be required to attend during the program either on campus at Holy Family or at the Diocesan Cathedral (Christ Cathedral).

  • During the Lenten season participants will work with Faith Formation Team members to discern their readiness for sacramental reception. If ready, Sacraments will be administered at the Easter Vigil. If not, they can be administered at Pentecost, some later date, or at a subsequent Easter Vigil when the participant is fully prepared.




OCIA Registration (NOW CLOSED):

  1. Complete Online Registration (Closed Aug 2024)

  2. If applicable, scan or take a picture of your Sacramental Certificate(s) and email to cmorris@hforange.org



Questions/Need Help? email to cmorris@hforange.org