The letters stand for Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. It’s the special way (rite) by which persons are initiated, that is, prepared to receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and Eucharist) and become Roman Catholic Christians. — CTK

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which adults from other faith traditions are received into full communion with the Catholic Church. OCIA is a journey of faith that not-yet baptized adults, as well as baptized adults, complete with the help of a sponsor, the catechists, the discernment team, and above all, on the strength of their own conviction and desire to grow in their faith.

The OCIA process at St. Francis is typically about nine-months long, beginning in the fall and ending shortly after the Easter Vigil Mass. Throughout the year, members participate in a weekly learning session, various Rites and Retreats, as well as weekly reflection on the Scriptures during one of the designated Masses. During these events, members are encouraged to ask questions and to come with an open mind, an open heart, and a desire to explore the Catholic Christian identity.

Do you feel drawn to Catholic liturgies and tradition? Do you wonder about the Eucharist? Would you like to deepen the meaning of your presence at Sunday’s liturgy? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, prayerfully consider joining on the path of discovery of your true spiritual identity. The RCIA program is for you.

The decision to join the Catholic Church is personal for everyone. Many people choose to join the Church because of a desire for Christ and His Sacraments. Some become interested in the OCIA when they approach a milestone in their life, such as planning a wedding to a Catholic. They would like to start their marriage with both partners being of the same faith. Some, who are already married, find that they would like to be a family that “prays together.” A non-Catholic parent may find his interest in Catholicism growing on the occasion of his child’s First Holy Communion. Others have had a personal experience of faith leading them to find out more. Some are baptized Catholics who never received religious instruction in their youth and would like to share fully in the sacramental life of the Church.

The background include folks from the Reformed and Protestant traditions. People with no faith traditions. People from world religions. All religious backgrounds are welcome.

For any decision in life, it’s best to be informed about the choices available. What better way than to be part of a group discussing aspects of Catholicism? There is never any pressure to join the Catholic Church at RCIA – only the learning, and to some extent, the living of it.

As Catholics, we confess ONE BAPTISM for the forgiveness of sins. Most Christian baptisms are universally recognized by the Catholic Church. Christian baptisms done with water and the Trinitarian formula are considered valid in the Catholic Church. Therefore, those candidates would make a Profession of Faith in order to become a Catholic.

Yes, we would encourage you to attend an Inquiry session, so we can learn more about your particular faith journey. Then we can discuss what path may be best for you to complete the remaining Sacraments of Initiation (First Eucharist and Confirmation).

All that is needed is a sincere desire to grow and learn. Attendance is expected at weekly meetings and at one of the selected Masses each Sunday. In addition, there are special events throughout the process that require attendance and participation. Each member of the RCIA is encouraged to spend some time each week in prayer and to read the reflection materials received from time to time. People who feel comfortable sharing questions and reactions are encouraged to do so.