Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
About
OCIA is a process by which adults of diverse faith backgrounds (even Catholics who need to rediscover their wonderful heritage) are guided and cared for as they journey towards full initiation into a Catholic way of life. Classes begin in the fall and conclude in the spring.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact our Director of Religious Education listed below.
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Director of
Religious Education
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Annabelle Bina
316-522-4728
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Class Schedule & Topics
For the 2025-2026 OCIA Instructions & Calendar, click HERE! See below for weekly PowerPoint slides.
Week 1: OCIA Introduction
Week 2: Faith
Week 3: The Holy Trinity
Week 4: Who is Jesus?
Week 5: The Church
Week 6: The Bible and Divine Revelation
Week 7: The Mass
Week 8: Places in a Catholic Church
Week 9: The Church Year
Week 10: Prayer & Advent
Week 11: Mary and the Saints
Week12: Salvation History & Last Things
Week 13: OCIA Review and What are Sacraments?
Week 14: The Sacrament of Baptism
Week 15: The Sacrament of Confirmation
Week 16: The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Week 17: The Sacrament of Confession
Week 18: The Sacrament of Anointing
Week 19: The Sacrament of Holy Orders
Week 20: Matrimony and Social Justice
The Process
The OCIA process consists of four periods of awakening, growth, and formation marked by celebration of three major rites involving the entire St. Peter Apostle community.
I. Inquiry Period
Start -1st Sunday of Advent (late November)
This first period of the OCIA journey is marked by informal discussions that are geared to link the Inquirers personal life stories to the Good News as witnessed and lived by the Roman Catholic community at St. Peter the Apostle. If the Inquirer desires to continue their conversion journey within the our faith community, he or she, is invited to experience the Rite of Acceptance on the first Sunday of Advent.
II. The Catechumenate Period
1st Sunday of Advent- 1st Sunday of Lent
The second period of the OCIA journey is a time for serious study of Sacred Scriptures. Those who have not been baptized are called Catechumens, and baptized Christians who have not been confirmed as Roman Catholics are called Candidates. Our Catechumens and Candidates do not travel alone during this period. Sponsors are chosen from the parish community of St. Peter the Apostle to act as companions and guides. If the Catechumen or Candidate is ready to begin the third period of their conversion journey, he or she, is invited to experience the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
III.. Purification and Enlightenment Period
1st Sunday of Lent-Easter Vigil ( Holy Saturday)
The third period of the OCIA journey is a time of prayer, fasting, and reflection to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. On that most holy night, when the light of Christ drives out darkness, joyous sounds fill the silence as the Elect culminate their long journey in the waters of Baptism, then with the Candidates, the newly baptized are sealed with the oil of Confirmation and share in the Eucharist as full members of the Roman Catholic community. During this period of purification and enlightenment the Elect and Candidates experience rites known as Scrutinies.
IV. Mystagogia Period
Easter Vigil to Pentecost
Mystagogia, which means "leading into the mysteries", is the final stage of the OCIA process, but it is in turn the beginning of a pilgrimage of lifelong, continuous conversion in full communion with the Roman Catholic community of Christian. The newly initiated (now known at Neophytes) meet to explore and confirm the Easter experience, and to learn more about stewardship as a way of life at St. Peter the Apostle.
