Who is this Order for?
The OCIA, or Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, is the process by which inquirers learn more about the faith of the Catholic Church and are accompanied by a caring and faith-filled community as they progress in their journey of faith. This process acknowledges the gradual nature of conversion, and our goal as a parish community is to walk with you as we come to share our faith, hope, and love more deeply.

The Catholic Church designed the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) process for any adult who is
• Unbaptized and recognizes a need for spirituality in their life
• Baptized and raised in another Christian tradition, but interested in learning about the Catholic faith
• Baptized in the Catholic faith or another Christian faith tradition, but never received any formal religious training

How do I get started?
You will begin with a one-on-one meeting with an OCIA team member. This is a good time to share where your faith life has taken you and what brought you to this point. Any questions you may have will be addressed here. OCIA is not an instructional program—it is a process of conversion created by the Church to welcome those who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith and in turn may want to become Catholic. As you discern God’s call for you as an individual, you will experience rituals of commitment and the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist), which will begin for you a new life of love, faith and justice lived in communion with Catholics throughout the world!

Conversion: What is it and what does it mean?
Conversion means change, moving from where we are to where God would have us. Conversion affects every part of our being, giving us a new way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. Conversion is an on-going, lifelong process initiated by God. We do not control conversion—we accept it as coming from God, drawing us closer to Him and His unconditional love, which we then willingly share with others.

How long does it take to become a Catholic?
It takes long enough for conversion to happen. Depending on your previous faith experience, the circumstances of God’s grace, and the process of discernment, the Order of Christian Initiation for the unbaptized can take a minimum of one complete liturgical year. For the baptized, the process can be adjusted to accommodate your life experience of faith. Since the process of conversion is unique for each individual, some people may require more time than others to prepare for this lifetime commitment.

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the Sacraments of Initiation, please contact Deacon Bill and Sherri Justice (928) 287-3052 or at [email protected].