Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Are you feeling called to explore the Catholic faith? The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process through which adults are welcomed into the Catholic Church through prayer, learning, and community.
Whether you are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or simply seeking deeper understanding, OCIA offers a path to encounter Christ and discover the beauty of the Catholic Church. We invite you to journey with us. To learn more about what to expect from OCIA, please connect with our OCIA Director below!
What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA, is the process through which adults explore the Catholic faith, grow in discipleship, and, if they choose, prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It is a journey of prayer, learning, and community, open to anyone interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation in the Church.
Who can attend OCIA?
OCIA at Seton Lake Ridge is open to all Catholics and Seekers who want to…
- …learn what the Catholic Church teaches.
- …converse with God and build Christian community.
- …walk more closely with God by sharpening their understanding of right and wrong action.
- …celebrate their faith with a deeper understanding of the how and why.
- …explore being received into the Catholic Church by the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion.
OCIA for Children
Who should join OCIA for Children?
– Children who have not been baptized or have been baptized in another Christian denomination.
– Catholic children over the age of 6 who do not fit into the parish’s sequential Family Faith Formation program due to a gap in faith formation.
The OCIA for Children is a process whereby the children are made to feel part of the parish family and learn about the Catholic faith. These children will attend the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday with their parents, followed by a class in which they will explore and learn about the Catholic faith.
To enroll your child, please contact our OCIA Director.
If your child is under the age of 7:
Parents of five and six-year-olds who have never been baptized should contact the Parish Office about having their child baptized and enrolled in our Family Faith Formation program.
OCIA Sponsors/Parish Mentor
A sponsor accompanies the catechumen/candidate in his/her spiritual journey. The sponsor is a witness to the faith. Being a good listener is the most essential requirement, but a sponsor also commits to attending sessions and rites with the inquirers. Most often, sponsors are blessed with a rejuvenation of their own faith as they offer the gift of time and support to an inquirer.
A parish mentor (for adults) fulfills the same basic role as a sponsor except they are not the official sponsor for the rites. This is for adults who have a friend or family member from outside the parish who will be their sponsor for the rites.