The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which adults and children over the age of 12 become members of the Catholic Church. The process includes prayer and reflection, the study of the Catholic Christian Faith and way of life.
For more about Christian Initiation of Adults, check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.
What to do first
Search your Heart and Pray for guidance and discern if your heart is calling you to learn more. OCIA seeks to lead all people to develop and deepen their relationship with Christ through the fullness of the Catholic Faith. We will walk with you on your journey with gentleness and love allowing God to speak to you. Faith Formation sessions are individualized to your faith journey and schedule. You will join us to learn, while your faith and reason guide you to faith. God calls each human to Him, yet he created us with the freedom to choose to respond or not to His call.
If you are already baptized through a valid form of baptism in a mainline Christian denomination then you are already a member of the Catholic Church, but not in full communion with the Catholic Church due to the separation of these denominations from the One Apostolic Church.
Baptized individuals come into full communion with the Catholic Church when they are joined with Christ in the visible structure of the Church through the profession of faith, the reception of the sacraments, and respect and obedience toward those in authority in the Church (CIC, c. 205)
-Visible Church (attend Mass and participate in the actions of the Church on earth)
– Profess the Nicaean Creed (approved by the Magisterium)
– Receive the Sacraments (Believe in the Seven Sacraments of the Church as from Christ)
– Accept by Obedience of Faith the Deposit of Faith
– Through religious intellect and will faithfully submit to the teachings of the Church.
If your prayer leads you to want to learn more Contact our Director of Religious Education Dr. James Gregory with your questions and interest or fill out the Inquirer form below.
Jim Gregory
Director of Adult Education
570.784.0801 Ext. 4
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