Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" - John 8:12
God is calling YOU! He calls us each of us to seek him, know him and to love him. Begin and grow your relationship with God through the Catholic Church.
Do you identify with any of these statements?
- I have never been baptized, and desire to learn more about the Catholic faith.
- I was baptized Catholic, but never received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation and desire to receive it.
- I was baptized in another Christian denomination and desire to learn more about the Catholic Church.
- I have children who are 7 years or older who have never been baptized and desire them to be baptized.
No matter where you are on your faith journey, we are honored to walk with you and guide you towards a more intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
What are the Sacraments of Initiation?
The RCIA process is now called OCIA
The acronym RCIA, standing for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults refers to the process of initiation for adults that culminates in baptism. However, in November 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a new translation of the name of this process, now calling it OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
While it may seem like a small change, many see this as a new turning point.
The rites are still part of the order but the new structure is meant to invite candidates and catechumens into a continuous process of spiritual formation as opposed to fixed checkpoints on the path to baptism, first Communion and confirmation.”
Furthermore, “by making the entire process an ‘order,’ the candidate or catechumen understands the rites received in church or at the parish are just one part of the ongoing journey of discipleship that will culminate with baptism and confirmation — usually during the Easter Vigil — but will continue throughout their lives.”
While most converts enter the Church at the Easter Vigil, this new structure acknowledges that converts could be baptized or welcomed into the Church at any point in the year, even taking multiple years before making the final decision.
Becoming Catholic involves a period of intense discernment, and prayer, not simply going through the “rites” at fixed points of the year.
Parishes including Divine Child will be instituting to this new term and process of the OCIA.
What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a journey toward living a full, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through full initiation into the Catholic Church. For some, this involves receiving all of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Others may have been validly baptized in different Christian denominations, and will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist to become members of the Catholic Church. Finally, even Catholics participate in OCIA. Many have been baptized, but have not been fully initiated by way of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Formation sessions begin in September and run through the Easter Vigil.
Congratulations to our 2022 Catechumens!
At the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 8, 2023, Divine Child welcomed 8 people into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. Congratulations and welcome to:
Noah Jones | Sullivan Levesque | Brandon Little | Christopher Rhodes | Robert Lawrence | Daniela Vargas | Oscar Rosales | Devon Follbaum
Interested in learning more?
Contact Jodi Ann Micallef, OCIA/Evangelization Coordinator at 313-277-3110 x 222 or jamicallef@divinechild.org.