Is God Inviting You?

• Do you know someone who has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
• If you are not Catholic, have you thought of becoming a Catholic yourself?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes” or “maybe,” then call Lisa Wangler for more information about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

What Is OCIA?

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults has its roots in the ancient Church, reaching back from the close of the First Century to the beginning of the Sixth Century. One of the directives of Vatican Council II was to restore and renew the Catechumenate — the ancient rites and process of adult faith formation.

The restored OCIA welcomes through the sacraments of initiation:

• Catechumens — adults who have never been baptized (receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).
• Candidates — adults baptized in other Christian communities or baptized Catholic but not catechized (make a profession of faith, receive Confirmation and Eucharist, and are welcomed into full communion in the Catholic Church).

The OCIA is ultimately about adult conversion and faith formation in a welcoming community. Adults experience parish life, study Scripture and Church teaching, share faith, build friendship with a sponsor or godparent, and participate in the rituals that mark their progress toward the Easter Vigil.