Are you interested in becoming Catholic?

Persons who are unbaptized adults, those baptized in other religions, and those baptized Catholic but not raised in the faith will participate in O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). This process will prepare them to be welcomed into the Catholic Church and received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.  Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil,  thousands of men and women are received into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new members through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and at a liturgy bringing men and women into full communion with the Catholic Church.  

The Order Of Christian Initiation Of Adults (OCIA) Process

Parish “programs” begin and end.  The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is much more than a “program.”  The OCIA is an on-going sacramental process that welcomes individuals who wish to become Catholic.

The OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a journey of faith.  This is for those who have not been baptized and is adapted for those who were baptized and come from other Christian traditions.  The OCIA process is more than a simple process of pouring the water and saying the words of baptism.  It is a time of inquiry, discovering where God is calling the individual.  This process is a time of learning what the Catholic Church is all about and how to live as Catholic Christians.  It is a time of preparation for the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.  The OCIA is a time of spiritual growth.

This faith Journey is marked with liturgical celebrations.  We begin with the Rite of Acceptance, welcoming the inquirers and signing them with the sign of Christ.  The Rite of Sending sends the Catechumens to the Cathedral to be introduced to the Archbishop and celebrate the Rite of Election.  At the Easter Vigil the elect and candidates receive the Sacraments of Initiation.

If you are being “tapped on your shoulder” by God to begin or continue your spiritual journey through the OCIA process, contact Julie Braun, Director of Child and Family Catholic Formation 
at [email protected] or call 262-338-2366.

You can also check out the USCCB Website for additional information on the RCIA Process:   https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/christian-initiation-of-adults

Adults who have celebrated Baptism and received First Communion in the Catholic Church, but have not yet been confirmed may participate in the Adult Confirmation Process.

Why be Confirmed?
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Confirmation represents (1) the full initiation of the recipient into the Catholic Church, (2) the strengthening of the work of the Holy Spirit which began at Baptism, (3) a personal decision of the recipient to commit to follow Christ and the precepts of the Catholic Church, and (4) to make a commitment to serve the parish and greater Church.

In the Sacrament of Confirmation God clothes a baptized disciple “with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Confirmation fulfills and seals the graces of Baptism. It unites us more firmly to Christ. It empowers us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that we can live life to the full as a courageous and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. It gives us the strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and
action as true witnesses of Christ. It is a new horizon on the life-long journey toward holiness and the ultimate goal of heaven.

How does Confirmation help me?
What do you need help with? Through Confirmation the Holy Spirit comes to rest fully upon you and live in you, so as to be your advocate and guide throughout life. The Holy Spirit comes to sanctify
you, make you holy, and unite you to the Father and the Son in the beauty of divine life. Confirmation gives you strength to live out your faith and stand up for the truth courageously. Confirmation sets you
apart as a Child of God with a particular mission for the Kingdom.

Contact Julie Braun at [email protected] or 262.338.2366 to inquire about Adult Confirmation classes.