What is the Becoming Catholic Program (OCIA)? 

The Becoming Catholic Program (OCIA) is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and also called the Baptismal Catechumenate. This is the process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation. It is a journey that enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, and the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The Becoming Catholic Program is more than a course of instruction. Ultimately, it is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants and to foster a personal relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

The Five Stages of the Becoming Catholic Process: 

• Inquiry or Pre-Catechumenate. At this time 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. There is no commitment required at this stage. Depending on their personal journey and readiness, this stage can last from a handful of weeks to months or years. 

• The Catechumenate. When a person is ready for a greater commitment to the faith and desires to move towards receiving the sacraments, this is when they enter the Catechumenate after going through the Rite of Acceptance. It is during this time that most of their study consists of deepening their knowledge and understanding of the faith while drawing closer to Christ. One can only enter the Catechumenate after attending the Inquiry and setting up an interview. 

• Purification & Enlightenment. For those preparing for baptism, this stage takes place during the Lenten season when they reflect upon their own faith experiences in a more intense, prayerful way. 

• Sacraments of Initiation. Candidates for baptism celebrate their initiation into the Church on the holiest of nights – the Easter Vigil – where they are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist. For those who have already been baptized but have not received their confirmation or Eucharist, they, too, will receive their sacraments during the Easter Vigil. 

• Mystagogia. This is a time for fully initiated members of our community to reflect upon their experiences of being new Catholic Christians and find their place in the ordinary life of the Church. Although formally, mystagogia usually takes place from Easter to Pentecost, we are called to continue our faith journey and growth for the rest of our lives. 

Interested in Becoming Catholic and Entering the Program?

The first step is to set up a discernment of the correct path with Juliann Dwyer. After that, you will attend the Inquiry sessions. The schedule is below. There is no beginning or end to Inquiry, and it will continue all year round on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings in the Community Center. Juliann can be reached at 702-476-2281 or juliannd@stmlv.org

We also have Becoming Catholic (OCIA) Elementary and Becoming Catholic (OCIA) Teen. For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 702-361-8840.

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