Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process through which interested unbaptized adults and older children (catechumens) are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith, way of life, and become members of the Catholic Church. The process is a blend of instruction and formation that progresses through gradual stages as it unfolds the Church’s rites, symbols, and biblical and liturgical signs. For those who join an OCIA process this is a time of commitment to reflection, prayer, study, and discernment. There is no set timetable and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and take as much time as they need. On average the process takes between eight to twelve months but it may take up to two years or more. The culmination of preparation happens each year during Holy Week with the celebration of becoming full members at the Easter Vigil. During the Easter Vigil, catechumens are baptized, confirmed, and participate in the Eucharist for the first time. This celebration is filled with the richness of the Catholic Church and can be traced back to the way the first Christians became a member of the faith community.

The process of formation includes four stages:

  1. Pre-catechumenate – the initial call to conversion to Christ
  2. Catechumenate – period of more integral and systematic study of the Catholic faith
  3. Purification and Enlightenment – a time characterized by more intense preparation and prayer
  4. Mystagogy – marks the time which the newly initiated experiences and internalizes the initiation sacraments and enters more deeply into the life of the community

OCIA groups are held in individual parishes. Those who would like to join a group should aim to attend one in the parish near where they live. If you do not know of a parish near you call the Diocesan office and they will direct you to a nearby parish that has an OCIA process.

2024 OCIA Changes

The new Order of Christian Initiation for Adults became available in November. Parishes must use new rites as of Ash Wednesday 2025.Changes include:

  • Period of the Catechumenate: Norm 4 of OCIA states that “Ordinarily, a person who has entered the catechumenate is to remain in it from at least the Easter Time of one year until the beginning of the Easter Time of the next year; preferably it should begin before Lent in one year and extend until easter of the following year.” This means that anyone begins OCIA from now through the beginning of Lent 2026, will receive their sacraments Easter 2027.

  • Those already baptized wishing to enter into full communion: Paragraph 478 of OCIA states, “Discernment should be made regarding the length of catechetical formation required for each individual candidate for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.” Candidates should not attend the Rite of Election, but rather the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion should be celebrated in the parish/ACC (Chapter V, Part C of the OCIA). These candidates should be fully initiated when they are ready, they do not need to wait until the Easter Vigil.

  • Children older than “age of reason”, age 7: These young people should follow the same process as adults. Children who are unbaptized should receive Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation together. Those who are baptized but uncatechized should receive Eucharist and Confirmation at the same time. Children significantly younger than confirmation age in the diocese (currently grade eleven) may delay the grace received in the sacrament of confirmation if the priest is convinced it is for the spiritual good of the child. See the pagella of faculties for the Diocese of Saint Cloud for more information. 

  • Recording in parish registers: a Register for Catechumens should be in every parish and the names of the catechumens should be inscribed after the Rite of Entrance (Norm 14). Every parish needs a Book of Elect and names should be inscribed after the Rite of Election (Norm 15). Bishop Neary has dispensed the keeping of a special register for those who enter full communion, those names should be inscribed in the parish Baptism Registry, as has been the practice in the diocese (Norm 16).