The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Thinking of joining the Roman Catholic Church? The Catholic OCIA stages are a good model of basic faith development. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a process developed by the Catholic Church for prospective converts to Catholicism who are above the age of infant baptism. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices.
OCIA unfolds in a series of stages. In the first stage, a person shows initial interest in the Catholic Church and a desire to learn more. He or she is an “Inquirer.” During the next period, called the Catechumenate, the person explores the teachings of the faith in a more systematic way. At Sunday Mass the catechumens and their teachers are often dismissed after the homily for further reflection on the readings of the day.
Learn more about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
If you are interested becoming Catholic, please call the pastor at Holy Cross (814) 474-2605 ext. 103 or at St. John's (814) 774-4108 ext. 3.