Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

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The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Latin: Ordo initiationis christianae adultorum), or OCIA, is a process developed by the Catholic Church for its catechumenate for prospective converts to the Catholic faith above the age of infant baptism. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices. The basic process applies to adults and children who have reached catechetical age.^[1] In many English speaking countries, it is called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). In the United States, the name was changed to the OCIA in 2021 to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin, although this change has yet to be officially approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.^[2]

Some Catholic movements, like the Polish Light-Life and the Spanish Neocatechumenal Way, promote post-baptismal formation based on the OCIA.^[3][4] Similarly, the Knights of Columbus provides a free correspondence course under the Catholic Information Services (CIS) program.^[5]

The ideal is for there to be an OCIA process available in every Roman Catholic parish. Those who want to join an OCIA group should aim to attend one in the parish where they live.

For those who wish to join, the OCIA process is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. There is no set timetable, and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and to take as much time as they need.

US bishops have said that the process "should extend for at least one year for formation, instruction, and probation" for those who have had no previous experience with living a Christian life.^[6] However, "nothing ... can be settled a priori. The time spent in the catechumenate should be long enough—several years if necessary—for the conversion and faith of the catechumens to become strong."^[7] For those who have some experience leading a Christian life, the process should be much shorter, "according to the individual case."^[8]

Those who enter the process are expected to begin attending Mass on Sundays, participate in regular faith formation activities, and to become increasingly involved in the activities of their local parish.

Priests "have the responsibility of attending to the pastoral and personal care of the catechumens." Throughout the process, they are assisted in this by deacons and catechists.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}