Becoming Catholic
The Rite or “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults” (OCIA) is a process through which adults learn about the teachings of Jesus handed down to us through the Catholic Church and put these teachings into practice by living as part of the Catholic community, serving others, and praying. There are four stages and you can enter at any point of readiness:
Inquiry: You find you are asking yourself, “Do I want to be Catholic? I’m curious to kn0w more about this faith before I say ‘yes’.” Each fall, a small group comes together weekly on Thursdays to explore the questions you may have about what it means to be Catholic. Ready for the next stage? Join us for the Rites of Welcoming and Acceptance and then begin the…
Catechumenate: A period of learning and study, still on Thursday nights, for those who can say, “I’m ready to be Catholic. What does this mean for my life?” This stage includes deeper formation in Scripture, Tradition, and practice of the faith. We take a tour of the Church, we meet the clergy and ministry leaders, and explore different doctrines of Catholic Christianity. We also attend the beginning of the 10:30am Mass, then together leave to “break open” the scripture we have just heard to see what a difference it makes to our lives. At the beginning of Lent, we celebrate the Rites of Sending and Call to Continuing Conversion and begin a short season of…
Purification and Enlightenment: During this season, held during Lent, all Catholic Christians set aside the things that have gotten in the way of our relationship with God in the last year. We join YOU in getting our hearts ready for Resurrection Sunday! Those seeking to come into the Church in the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation typically come in at Easter Vigil, and then return for…
Mystagogia: As with profound experiences in our life, Sacraments deserve reflection. We think back to, “What just happened to me?” and “What do these Sacraments mean for my life now?” For several weeks after Easter, the team meets again, now as a close-knit community, to thank Jesus for the great gift of his Resurrection.
OCIA addresses the spiritual needs of each participant
- Those who have never been baptized in any Christian faith tradition; referred to as catechumen
- Those who were baptized in another Christian faith tradition and their baptism is recognized by the Catholic Church; referred to as candidates
- Those baptized Catholics seeking reception of the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist; referred to as candidates
Time
Traditionally at Our Lady of Light, the small group format for becoming Catholic begins in September and finishes a few weeks after Easter. Generally, once the individual participates in the Rites of Welcoming and Acceptance, we begin also attending the 10:30am Sunday Liturgy, with dismissal after the homily dig deep into the Scriptures of the day. This is called “Breaking Open the Word”, and it lasts through Easter. Sacraments for adults are normally celebrated during the Easter Vigil.
FAQ
How do I start? Contact info@ourladyoflight.com to get rolling. We will welcome you warmly, invite you to meet with us, and listen to your faith story. Until our meeting, you can get started on some of these items:
- If you have previously celebrated any sacrament (Catholic or otherwise), please request a recent copy of your “baptism certificate with notations” from your church of baptism to be mailed to us.
- Request or print and fill out this form and send it in to the office by email (scanned) to faithformation@ourladyoflight.com or by mail.
- If you have ever been or are married, either in the Catholic Church or civilly, begin collecting any legal or official documents related to your marriage(s), including marriage license, annulment, or divorce decree.
Can a fiancé, spouse, or a friend act as a sponsor? The answer is yes, as long as this person is a baptized and confirmed Catholic. If married, sponsor’ marriage needs to have taken place in the Catholic Church and it is in good standing. Sponsors attend classes with the participant.
What is the cost for OCIA/RCIA? There is no cost. OCIA is an important component of Our Lady of Light’s call to spread the gospel.
Is OCIA like taking a course? It is and it isn’t. Most importantly, OCIA is a process which helps a person figure out what God is saying to her or him at this point of life. The emphasis is on personal reflection, prayer and service to the community. There are also formal presentations on subjects such as God, Jesus, the Sacraments, and the Scriptures. There are no quizzes or exams.
What if I realize that I may not want to be Catholic yet? It’s ok! God calls each person in his or her own time. Becoming a Catholic is a personal decision and we are accompanying you in your journey of faith.
What if I am a Catholic seeking Confirmation only? Adult Catholics needing Confirmation have more than one option for this Sacrament, depending on your faith journey – contact us and we will help you get started.
I am Catholic but want to learn more – can I join OCIA? Yes – fully initiated Catholics join OCIA as Sponsors and/or Catechists. You learn and grow in your own faith alongside the new members, and stand with them in the Rites and Sacraments. This is a ministry of accompaniment that often begins with your curiosity and grows in you into zeal. Inquiring about this possibility for yourself is not a commitment, so if you are interested, please reach out to learn more.