Christian Initiation Programs for
​Children, Youth, and Adults

In the Catholic Church, those who are interested in becoming Catholic, or need to complete their sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist),  or were baptized into another Christian faith and wish to become Catholic, join a program called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or OCIA. 

This program is a journey where one learns more about the Catholic faith and specifically, the sacraments they will receive. Those entering into this program are placed into a group based on their age level and the stage they are at in their journey (the sacraments they need to receive).  It is a structured, instructional and interactive program that begins in mid-September and ends just after Easter.  

New Name for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA will have its name changed to Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA.  The change applies to both the process by which adults enter the church and the book that contains the liturgical text.
This change is a part of the continued effort to update liturgical texts to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin.  The Latin text from which the English is translated is titled Ordo Initiationis Christianæ Adultorum.  The English word “order” is an updated translation of the Latin word “ordo”. The name change also reflects the understanding that the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is not a single rite, but rather a collection of liturgical rites used for persons who are entering the Catholic Church. The revised text of the OCIA will be released in December, 2024.