What is OCIA? 

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the way to receive formation and prepare to enter the Catholic Church. This process was previously known as RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

OCIA has four phases designed to intellectually form and spiritually prepare participants to become Catholic.

Evangelization and Prechatechumenate: The inquirer learns of Christ and is drawn to the Catholic Church; he or she takes part in a period of searching and takes the first step toward becoming Catholic by conversing with a priest or parish director of Christian initiation to become a catechumen.

Catechumenate: Over the course of a year or less, a catechumen or candidate takes this time to learn more about the Catholic faith and what it means for his or her life. The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Rite of Election take place during this stage. 

Purification and Enlightenment: During Lent, a catechumen anticipates his or her initiation into the Catholic Church through prayer and learning. Initiation commonly takes place on the Easter Vigil, which is the culmination of the process where catechumens and candidates receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist).

Mystagogy: After being received into the Church, newly initiated Catholics continue to be formed in their faith during what the Church calls the “Period of Mystagogy.” This lasts until Pentecost, the feast 50 days after Easter, in which the Church celebrates the birth of the Church, when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples.

What is the ‘Rite of Election’?

The Rite of Election is the stage of Christian initiation before baptism. Catechumens gather with their sponsors and families, usually on the first Sunday of Lent.

During the Rite of Election ceremony, the local bishop asks the catechumens: “Do you wish to enter fully into the life of the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist?” and they respond: “We do.” Catechumens write their names in the Book of the Elect, further confirming their desire to be baptized.

Through this rite, catechumens become known as “the elect.” Only the unbaptized partake in this rite, because those who are baptized are already known as God’s elect.

What’s the difference between a catechumen and a candidate? 

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Catechumen: A catechumen is someone who is unbaptized and seeking to become Catholic. 

Candidate: A candidate is a baptized Christian seeking to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. 

If you would like to find out more about the OCIA program here at St. John Paul II Parish, please contact Dani Annino in the Faith Formation Office, (860) 267-6644 ext. 11, email: sjpdre@gmail.com, or Deacon Dan D’Amelio, email: deacondandamelio@gmail.com

If you would like to submit an OCIA Inquiry Form please fill out the form under the "home" tab or you may print the form and send it in.              Thank you.