What is OCIA?

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) or Orden de Iniciacion Cristiana para Adultos (OICA) is a process which participants “undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…”

All are Welcome

OCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults and/or children over the age of 8 who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults and/or children over the age of 8 who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

If you have any questions, please contact our Faith Formation Office either at faithformation@stleonardsa.org or 210-924-6000 ext. 108