OCIA

You are cordially invited to explore the meaning of what it means to be a Roman Catholic! Perhaps you are searching for the wellspring of spiritual nourishment that every soul yearns to attain or you may be seeking a deeper meaning for your life. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Catholic Church's response to adults desiring to become a member of the Catholic faith community.

OCIA (formerly RCIA) is the ancient practice of the Church through which non-baptized adults (catechumens), after proper instruction and formation, are fully initiated into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Adults previously baptized in other Christian churches (candidates) are received into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Catechumens and candidates attend instructional sessions that are conducted weekly from September through April. After proper periods of formation and discernment, adults are initiated and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

The OCIA is the journey through which adults were prepared for entry into the Church in the early centuries of Christianity. Today, the OCIA continues to welcome adults into the Church through weekly instructional sessions (beginning each August) and communal celebrations that ritually mark the adults' journey to full initiation.

We welcome your curiosity about the Catholic faith. If you, or someone you know has expressed an interest in exploring the Roman Catholic faith, we encourage you to direct all inquiries to Carolyn Nolan at (301) 898-5111 x19 or via email: cnolan@stpeter-libertytown.org.

To enroll, please fill out the initial interview form - available below - and either email it directly to Carolyn or drop it by the parish office any time during our office hours.