What is OCIA?

 The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA (previously RCIA), is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church in the first and second centuries.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The OCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism".

Likewise, the language used in the OCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. "Catechumens" are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. "Candidates" are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.

All are Welcome!

OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

OCIA is a Journey

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

List of Services

OCIA at St. Margaret Mary


Normally, those enrolled in OCIA at St. Margaret Mary attend 8:30 am Sunday Mass together beginning some time in early fall. Afterward, the group meets to reflect upon the scripture readings at Mass and then discuss topics related to Catholic faith. This time allows participants to ask questions and learn the faith in a non-judgmental forum. The gathering typically lasts 2.5 hours from 8:30 – 11:00am (including Mass).


OCIA is not to be thought of as a class or a program, but rather a process of conversion. OCIA will prepare you to begin your journey of faith, which may lead to a lifelong commitment as a Catholic. The usual length of preparation is at least six months. However, some people may feel they need more time to prepare. In most cases, the initiation of new members through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist is celebrated at the Easter Vigil (evening before Easter Sunday).


If you have not been baptized in a Christian faith and wish to learn about becoming Catholic, or are considering conversion from another faith, or if you have been baptized Catholic but did not continue on in the practice of the faith and would now like to receive First Eucharist and Confirmation, then OCIA is the program that will help you achieve your goal.


The St. Margaret Mary OCIA program is led by Deacon Jeff Kingsley. You may reach him at 203-305-6607 for more information.