OCIAOrder of Christian Initiation of Adults
Thinking about becoming Catholic? We would be honored to walk with you.
Perhaps you have been thinking about becoming Catholic for some time. Perhaps someone you love is Catholic and you have begun asking questions. Maybe you were baptized Catholic but never completed your Sacraments of Initiation. Or perhaps you are simply curious about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith.
Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome to begin with a conversation.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church’s process for accompanying adults who are discerning the Catholic faith and preparing to enter more fully into the life of Christ and His Church.
OCIA is much more than a class or a series of lessons. It is a journey of encounter, belonging, conversion, formation, and mission. Through Sacred Scripture, Catholic teaching, prayer and worship, conversation, service, and participation in the life of our parish family, each person is invited to encounter Jesus Christ more deeply and discern where He may be leading.
At Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, this journey reflects the heart of our Vision 2031: Encounter • Belong • Grow • Go. We want every person who encounters our parish to have the opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ, find a home in His Church, grow as a disciple, and discover his or her place in Christ’s mission.
A Journey, Not Simply a Program
Every person’s story is different. For that reason, OCIA is not a one-size-fits-all program or simply a course that begins in September and ends at Easter.
The Church accompanies each person according to his or her background, previous Christian formation, experience of faith, and readiness for the next step. The journey includes prayer, learning, discernment, participation in the worship and life of the Church, service, and relationships with other disciples of Jesus.
For those who are unbaptized, the journey unfolds through several periods of formation and discernment marked by the Church’s liturgical rites and ordinarily leads to the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. Those who are already baptized are accompanied according to their individual circumstances as they prepare for reception into full communion with the Catholic Church or completion of their Christian initiation.
The goal is not simply the reception of sacraments, but a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a lifelong life of discipleship within His Church.
Who Is OCIA For?
OCIA may be appropriate for:
- Adults who have never been baptized and are interested in becoming Catholic;
- Adults baptized in another Christian tradition who are discerning reception into full communion with the Catholic Church; and
- Baptized Catholics who have not completed their Sacraments of Initiation and desire further formation and preparation.
You do not need to know for certain that you want to become Catholic before reaching out. Questions are welcome. Discernment takes time. Our role is to listen to your story and walk with you.
Encounter • Belong • Grow • Go
OCIA beautifully reflects the four movements at the heart of our parish’s Vision 2031:
- Encounter — Come to know Jesus Christ more deeply through Scripture, prayer, worship, the sacraments, and the witness of others.
- Belong — Discover a parish family where you are welcomed, known, valued, accompanied, and loved.
- Grow — Deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and learn to live more fully as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- Go — Discover God’s call for your life and how you are being sent to live and share the Gospel in your family, workplace, neighborhood, and community.
What Does the Journey Look Like?
The first step is simply a conversation.
We would like to hear your story, learn what has brought you to this point, answer your questions, and help you discern what the next step might be. Because every person comes with a different story, the journey may look somewhat different for each individual.
Our regular OCIA formation gatherings ordinarily take place every other Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the Seton Center, beginning in September. These gatherings include prayer, conversation, formation in the Catholic faith, and opportunities to become increasingly connected to the worship, relationships, service, and life of our parish family.
Our first gathering for 2026–2027 will be Sunday, September 20 at 9:15 a.m.
Already missed the first gathering?
Please reach out anyway. Inquiry is welcome throughout the year. The journey of faith does not begin according to a parish calendar.
Becoming Part of a Parish Family
No one becomes Catholic alone.
Throughout OCIA, participants are gradually introduced more deeply into the prayer, worship, relationships, service, and mission of the Catholic community. Sponsors, parishioners, clergy, and members of the OCIA team accompany those making this journey.
Hospitality is at the heart of who we are as Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish. We want every person who encounters our parish to experience welcome, belonging, accompaniment, and love and ultimately a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
The Journey Continues
Receiving the Sacraments of Initiation is not the end of the journey.
Following initiation, the Church enters into a period called Mystagogy, during which the newly initiated continue to reflect upon the sacraments they have received and grow into the life and mission of the Church.
Our hope is that every person who makes this journey comes to recognize: I have encountered Christ. I belong to His Church. I am continuing to grow as His disciple. And He is sending me into the world with a mission.
Take the First Step
You do not need to have all the answers. You do not need to make a commitment before contacting us. And you do not need to wait until next September.
If you are curious about Catholicism, wondering whether God may be calling you into the Catholic Church, or simply have questions, we would love to hear your story and get to know you.