OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Sunday mornings from 11:30-12:45pm, beginning September 10th!
If you are interested in knowing more about the catholic faith we encourage you to come.
For more information call 918-744-0023
What is OCIA?
The year of preparation of adults who are non-Baptized and wish to join the Catholic Church or Christians who are already Baptized but wish to come in to full communion with the Catholic Church, which was commonly referred to as RCIA, was recently changed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to OCIA, or Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, to emphasize the full journey, as well as the individual rites the adults will undergo.
What is OCIA About?
OCIA is much more than just a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants.
This process is also a journey, which involves the study of the Gospels, the study of Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer, and action with the support and involvement of the local faith community through various rites along the way.
Who is OCIA for?
- Non-Catholics who want to find out more about the Catholic Faith
- Fallen away Catholics who want to return to the Church
- Catholics who want to re-discover aspects of their faith that they may have forgotten or things that have changed during their lifetime.
When is Church of the Madalene OCIA?
Classes will be held every Sunday morning from September 10, 2023 through April 7, 2024 from 11:30am - 12:45pm in Aquinas Hall.
Madalene OCIA Text:
Our main book will be Life in Christ: A Catholic Catechism for Adults (FREE for OCIA candidates but everyone else is asked to please pay just $10.) We will also use the Catechism of the Catholic Church and various other books as resource.
Stages of OCIA:
- Inquiry (September): Participants are encouraged to ask questions and explore the basic tenets of the Catholic faith and to reflect upon these in light of their own life experiences during weekly classes.
- Rite of Acceptance (Late October): All candidates attend Mass together and are welcomed by the faith community and are assured of the community's ongoing prayer.
- Catechumenate: Candidates continue their weekly study following the Rite of Acceptance, but OCIA classes become deeper in topics and study. Candidates are encouraged to continue to ask every question they have as they encounter new ideas about Catholicism.
- Rite of Sending (Late January or early February): All candidates again attend Mass together before they are sent by the faith community for a Diocesan service to meet the Bishop.
- Rite of the Elect (Late January or early February): The same afternoon, all candidates and the OCIA Director attend the Diocesan service and meet the Bishop.
- Purification & Enlightment (Lent): During the time, candidates reflect upon their own faith experiences in a more intense, prayerful way. At some point before Holy Week, they will each individually make their First Confession. OCIA Classes are now very intentional toward the Sacraments, the Commandments, and Holy Week, especially, Holy Saturday.