Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)

“…We long for the day when you will join us at the table of the Lord
to share in the fullness of His life-giving Sacraments…”
                                               -taken from the Rite of Acceptance

The OCIA is a faith process to initiate adult candidates into the spiritual life of the Roman Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council decreed in December of 1972, that the catechumenate, the formal stage of preparation for entrance into the Church, be restored. One revision was that the Sacraments of Initiation were always to be understood and celebrated in the traditional order being:  Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, and applies to adults and children. In addition, the celebration of these sacraments is to be celebrated within one liturgy which becomes the Church's expression and understanding of the salvation event.

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process — a spiritual journey in which those involved come to under- stand the Catholic Christian way of life. The OCIA process involves the entire parish community, welcomes prospective members and strives to provide spiritual formation for those wishing to join the Catholic Church. This journey of faith begins each year at St. Gabriel on the Sunday following Labor Day and concludes with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday Evening.

The OCIA program is for adults unbaptised, baptized, or non-Catholic Christians who seek full communion with the Catholic Church, as well as baptized, but uninstructed Catholics.  The classes are held on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 am  in the rectory lower level and last about one hour. 

What groups are served by the OCIA?

Catechumens:  Non-baptized adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. Catechumens prepare for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Candidates:
A) Baptized Catholics who, for various reasons, have not had any formal religious education and seek to complete their initiation and prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
B) Those who have been baptized in other faith traditions and are seeking reception into full communion with the Catholic church, who will make a Profession of Faith and prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

At St. Gabriel, the United States Catholic Catechism For Adults Is the basis for the program. During the weekly meetings, the candidates are accompanied by Catholics who share their knowledge and love of the Church.  These various presentations by Catechists (priests, deacons, lay ministers) are the foundations of the faith journey as outlined in the Catechism for Adults.  Through the various Rites in the program, the parish as a whole supports, prays, and celebrates this journey of faith with these candidates.