Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

at St Mary of the Visitation Parish, Huntsville, AL

Are you looking to join the Catholic Church?

Do you want to receive the Sacraments of Initiation?

(Baptism, Eucharist (Holy Communion), or Confirmation)

Are you looking to learn more about the Catholic Church and grow deeper in your faith?

If you fit any of these descriptions, OCIA might be a good place for you.

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a journey in which you experience support, discovery, and fellowship. It is for any adult seeking to start or deepen their faith journey by preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, or for anyone looking to learn more about their Catholic faith and grow deeper in it.

The OCIA process has several distinct stages. These Catholic OCIA stages are a good model of faith development itself and can be used for anyone who wants to pursue a deeper faith life and continue to grow as a Catholic Christian. We will cover a wide range of topics, focusing on Scripture and the Sacraments through a specifically Catholic lens. At the same time, we will be following the four formal stages of the traditional OCIA model.

The Stages of OCIA

Inquiry

The initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You’re asking questions and checking it out but aren’t yet ready to commit.

Catechumanate

Those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you’re developing your faith and are being “catechized” – learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.

Purification & Preparation

The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare you to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter. If you’re following the OCIA process, you’ll go through a beautiful series of Gospel-based meditations during Lent, which is the time frame of this period.

Mystagogy

After reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.

Where do you begin?

Beginning this journey can be confusing and unclear as to where to start and how to proceed. Fr. Leo and the Augustine Institute with Symbolon have some practical general suggestions about how to start and or continue that journey.

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