O.C.I.A stands for 'Order of Christian Initiation for Adults'.  Those who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church and with us are welcomed. Fundamentally, this conversion involves growing into a greater knowledge of, and deeper relationship with, Jesus Christ and his saving death and resurrection. 

When? 

OCIA is celebrated with the Church’s rituals and culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. The program begins in September.  As they become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church through the OCIA, women and men are empowered for lives of service and charity as witnesses to the Kingdom of God. The experience of the OCIA takes place within the context of a Catholic Christian community, the parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace. It is into our Church that participants in the OCIA are initiated.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is for Anyone who:

• Is not Baptized 
• Is a Baptized Christian and wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church 
• Is a Baptized Catholic who has not yet received all of the Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation) 

What are the Stages of O.C.I.A

There are several stages in the OCIA process. Each one signifies a further growth in the individual’s relationship with the Lord and with the Church

• The Inquiry Stage: A time to explore the movements of faith in an informal setting. (A 4-6 week period.)
• The Catechumenate: A more formal period of formation which follows one’s formal acceptance as a Catechumen (“un-baptized”) or Candidate (‘already baptized”)? (A 4-5 month period.)
• The Period of Enlightenment: The immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation. (A 6-week period during Lent.)
• The Celebration of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated at the Easter Vigil
• Mystagogy: A time to “explain the Mysteries” experienced at the Easter Vigil through Pentecost.
• At Our Lady Queen of Peace, the OCIA process generally lasts from September through April.

If you are interested in participating in O.C.I.A, please contact Elaine McCubbin at [email protected] or our Parish Office at 410-686-3085.