Sarah Mitchell
Becoming a Catholic as an adult is a gradual journey of faith, which can take anywhere from a year to several years. The process is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). It involves being introduced to Catholic beliefs and practices, and is marked by study, prayer, and rites at Mass. The process can be divided into three stages: the Period of Inquiry, the Period of the Catechumenate, and the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. During the first stage, individuals learn about the Catholic faith and decide whether to embrace it. In the second stage, they deepen their faith and commit to becoming members of the Catholic Church. The third stage involves a period of purification and enlightenment, after which the individual is baptised, confirmed, and receives the Eucharist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Process | Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) |
| Steps | Preparation, Inquiry, Rite of Welcoming/Acceptance, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, Mystagogia |
| Requirements | Belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah, desire to become a member of the Catholic Church |
| Sacraments | Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion/Eucharist |
| Time | Varies depending on individual progress, can take from a year to several years |
| Location | Local Catholic Church or Parish |
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What You'll Learn
The process of becoming Catholic as an adult
The process is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). OCIA/RCIA is a guided program that leads candidates through the entire process, offering classes, mentoring, community, and guidance. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer, and rites at Mass.
The first step is the inquiry stage, in which the unbaptized person begins to learn about the Catholic faith and decides whether to embrace it. This is followed by the Rite of Welcoming/Acceptance, where the individual expresses their desire to become a Christian and is received into the order of catechumens. The catechumenate period can last for several years or a shorter time, depending on the individual's progress and journey. During this time, the catechumen undergoes a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and prepare for baptism.
The next step is the Rite of Election, where the catechumen publicly requests baptism and is enrolled in the book of "the elect". This is followed by the Period of Purification and Enlightenment, corresponding to the Catholic Church's Lent, which is a six-week period of prayer, fasting, and turning away from sin.
Finally, during the Easter Vigil Mass, the catechumen receives the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion or Holy Eucharist. This marks their entrance into full communion with the Catholic Church.
After initiation, newly-baptized Catholics are encouraged to participate in an adult Bible study or prayer group, join a ministry, and continue learning about the Catholic faith.
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The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
The RCIA is open to three groups of adults, aged 18 and older: those who are not baptized; those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church; and baptized Catholics who were not fully formed in the Catholic faith and have not completed their initiation, such as those who have not received the sacraments of confirmation and/or Eucharist.
The RCIA process usually begins with the period of inquiry, in which the unbaptized person learns about the Catholic faith and decides whether to embrace it. This is followed by the rite of reception into the order of catechumens, in which the unbaptized express their desire and intention to become Christians. The next step is the period of the catechumenate, which embodies the first stages of commitment leading to full membership in the Catholic Church. To enter this phase, one should already have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and sincerely desire to become a member of the Church.
The period of purification and illumination usually corresponds to the Catholic Church's time of Lent, which is a six-week period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction. The RCIA process culminates in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation, which takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday. At this time, the catechumen receives the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. After initiation, formation and education continue in the period of post-baptismal catechesis, which is called "mystagogy". This period continues at least until Pentecost, during which the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences and continue to learn more about the scriptures, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
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The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
- Those who are not baptized.
- Those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Baptized Catholics who were not fully formed in the Catholic faith and have not completed their initiation, such as those who have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist.
The OCIA process is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. There is no set timetable, and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace. Those who enter the process are expected to begin attending Mass on Sundays, participate in regular faith formation activities, and become increasingly involved in the activities of their local parish. The OCIA is a gradual "journey of faith," which varies in length depending on each individual’s progress in Catholic beliefs and practices.
The OCIA is sometimes referred to as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The basic process applies to adults and children who have reached catechetical age, which is typically around the age of 7. The OCIA/RCIA process may be adapted for children of catechetical age.
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The sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion
The Catholic Church has a process for adults who wish to convert to Catholicism. This process is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). It involves being introduced to Catholic beliefs and practices through a guided program that offers classes, mentoring, community, and guidance.
The Sacraments of Initiation bring a person to fullness of life in Christ and include Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
Baptism
Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation. It is commonly administered to infants in the Catholic Church, but unbaptized adults who wish to convert to the faith must also receive this sacrament. A person can only be baptized once in their life. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms performed by most other Christian denominations as valid. The rite of baptism involves pouring holy water on the head of the person being baptized while invoking the Holy Trinity. The priest will say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The old self is said to die in the waters, and a new self emerges, mirroring the death and resurrection of Christ.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the second sacrament of initiation and serves to "confirm" a baptized person in their faith. It can occur as early as age seven for children who were baptized as infants but is commonly received around age 13. For adult converts, Confirmation is performed immediately after baptism. A bishop or priest normally performs the rite, which includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing, and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil). The Confirmation ceremony begins with prayers, hymns, and readings to prepare the candidates for the sacrament.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist or Lord's Supper, is the third sacrament of initiation. It originates in the Last Supper shared by Jesus with his disciples. During this meal, Jesus took bread and wine, blessed them, and gave them to his disciples, saying, "This is my body" and "This is my blood." He instructed them to do this in remembrance of him. The early Christian community continued this practice, gathering together to partake in the bread and wine to remember and participate in Christ's sacrifice. Unlike Baptism and Confirmation, the reception of Holy Communion is to be repeated throughout the course of life.
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Finding a parish and enrolling in RCIA/OCIA
To begin your journey towards becoming Catholic, you must first find a parish that suits you. You are not "locked in" to one church once you've been baptised, but it's good to get initiated into Catholicism in a setting you enjoy and feel comfortable in. Feel free to attend masses at several parishes to find the one that best suits you. Each parish is different, with a different community and even slightly different mass proceedings.
Once you have found a parish that suits you, you can enrol in their RCIA/OCIA program. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The name was changed from RCIA to OCIA in 2021 to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin, although this change is yet to be officially approved. The ideal is for there to be an OCIA process available in every Roman Catholic parish.
To enrol in an RCIA/OCIA program, you can contact your chosen parish's office via phone or email. You can also ask about the program and how to enrol when you call. The program is a guided one that leads baptism candidates through the entire process, offering classes, mentoring, community, and guidance along your journey to baptism.
At St. Paul of the Cross Parish, for example, the OCIA process consists of seven weekly meetings in the evening with the RCIA team in what are called Inquiry Sessions. As you continue into the second phase of the process, participants gather for a sharing of the weekly scripture readings after the Sunday mass. At Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, new participants are accepted throughout the year and at any time.
At The Basilica of Saint Mary, to attend OCIA classes, you must check that you live within the parish boundaries that are based on your home address.
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Frequently asked questions
The process is called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). It involves being introduced to Catholic beliefs and practices.
The OCIA/RCIA process involves several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants are known as catechumens and undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
The OCIA/RCIA process can take anywhere from a year to several years, depending on each individual’s progress and their prior relationship with Christianity/Catholicism.
To start the OCIA/RCIA process, contact your local Catholic parish and speak to the priest or pastoral associate to find out more. You can also attend masses at several parishes to find the one that best suits you.
After completing the OCIA/RCIA process, newly-initiated Catholics are encouraged to become involved with the parish, participate in an adult Bible study or prayer group, join a ministry, and continue learning about the Catholic faith.
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