Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

OCIA stands for the “Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is a process by which adults are initiated into our Roman Catholic community. It is a faith journey of men and women who are guided and cared for as they awaken in faith and are gradually introduced to the Catholic way of life.

OCIA is for those persons who:

  • have NEVER been baptized;

  • have been baptized in another Christian faith tradition and wish to come into FULL communion with the Catholic Church;

  • are Catholics who have been baptized but HAVE NOT received Confirmation and the Eucharist;

  • are “returning Catholics” who would like to REDISCOVER the Catholic faith and tradition.

The process normally starts the middle of September and end at Easter Vigil. It is a series of carefully planned stages, marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community, in which new Catholics embark on and join us in a continuing and deepening conversion into faith and discipleship.

If you belong to any one of the above categories, then OCIA is for you. Please contact the Catechetical Ministry Center at (619)575-2240.

Children’s Religious Education (Grades 1-6)
·         Click here to download form.

The OCIA Team is also looking for sponsors who will walk the faith journey with the catechumens and candidates.

The roles of sponsors are:

  • Act as a personal connection between the catechumen/candidate and the community until the rite of election.

  • Provide support and encouragement.

  • Answer questions the candidates may have.

  • Are available to attend the sessions.

  • Pray with and for the catechumen/candidate.

  • Introduce the catechumen/candidate to the other members of the community.

  • Participate in the sessions, prayer gatherings, ceremonies and instructions.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact the Catechetical Ministry Center at (619)575-2240.

What is the Rite of Election? The Rite of Election is the 2nd Stage of the OCIA Process.

➢This step concludes the period of the Catechumenate and inaugurates the period of Enlightenment.

➢It is a liturgical rite, also referred to as the Enrollment of Names, celebrated with the assembly, usually on the First (or Second) Sunday of Lent, during which the community accepts the candidates as ready to make their final preparations for sacramental initiation.

➢The candidates sign their names onto sheets that are inserted into the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election.

➢Those who are already baptized, since they have taken the first step of sacramental initiation, are not enrolled as the Elect. Instead, they participate in one of the adaptations of this rite provided for the baptized.

What is Purification and Enlightenment? Purification and Enlightenment is the Stage III of the OCIA Process.

➢The third stage usually begins on the First Sunday of Lent. This stage, regardless of local scheduling, always coincides with the Lenten season and extends to the Easter Vigil.

➢This is a time for the candidates to make their final preparations for sacramental initiation at the Easter Vigil.

➢This is a period of well-guided personal reflection and examination, marked by a progressive conversion and immersion into the paschal mystery of death and resurrection.

➢Three scrutiny rites are to be celebrated during the Period of Enlightenment, one each at one of the weekend Masses on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent.