The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (), or OCIA, known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in many English-speaking countries, is a process developed by the Catholic Church for its catechumenate for prospective converts to the Catholic faith above the age of infant baptism. Candidates are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices. At the Second Vatican Council, the fathers of the Council announced that "the catechumenate for adults" was to be restored and used at the discretion of local bishops.Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, paragraph 60, published on 4 December 1963, accessed on 30 June 2025 The basic process applies to adults and children who have reached catechetical age.
In the United States, the name was changed from Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) to the OCIA in 2021 to reflect greater fidelity to the original Latin, and this change was approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Priests "have the responsibility of attending to the pastoral and personal care of the catechumens". Throughout the process, they are assisted in this by deacons and catechists.
Duration The United States bishops have said that the process "should extend for at least one year for formation, instruction, and probation" for those who have had no previous experience with living a Christian life. However, "nothing[...] can be settled a priori. The time spent in the catechumenate should be long enough—several years if necessary—for the conversion and faith of the catechumens to become strong." For those who have some experience leading a Christian life, the process should be much shorter, "according to the individual case".
Outline of process
The ideal is for there to be an OCIA or RCIA process available in every Roman Catholic parish. Those who want to join an OCIA group should aim to attend one in the parish where they live.
For those who wish to join, the OCIA process is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. There is no set timetable, and those who join the process are encouraged to go at their own pace and to take as much time as they need. Those who enter the process are expected to begin attending Mass on Sundays, participate in regular faith formation activities, and to become increasingly involved in the activities of their local parish.
The Second Vatican Council specifically ordered that "the methodology and the experiences of adult formation in the RCIA [should be] the pattern of growth for the whole Christian community".Bayldon, M., "Gravissimum Educationis" 30 Years on, New Blackfriars, volume 77, No. 902 (March 1996), , p. 135, accessed on 7 April 2026
The outline below is based upon the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) approved for use in the dioceses of the United States, which includes additional rites for various circumstances and combinations.Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Study Edition, Chicago, 1988.
Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate The first stage of the OCIA, as outlined in paragraphs 36–40 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is described as "a time, of no fixed duration or structure, for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values." The church is offering here an invitation to initial conversion. There is no obligation involved during this period. "It is a time of evangelization: faithfully and constantly the living God is proclaimed and Jesus Christ who he has sent for the salvation of all." At this stage, seekers are known as Inquirers.
Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens Inquirers who wish continue on to the period of the catechumenate take part in a rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.
The rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, as outlined in paragraphs 41–47 of the Rite of Initiation, may take place throughout the year. "A sponsor accompanies any candidate seeking admission as a catechumen." Ideally, the sponsor is provided to the candidate by the parish. The duties of a sponsor are to journey with the catechumens through the process and provide a compelling witness in matters of faith.
Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is very significant, so much so that unbaptized catechumens who are accepted will still receive a Christian burial if they die during the Catechumenate.
The Rite of Acceptance is outlined in paragraphs 48–68 of the Rite of Initiation:
Greeting Opening dialogue Candidates' first acceptance of the Gospel Affirmation by the sponsors and the assembly Signing of the candidates with the Cross: Signing of the forehead Signing of the other senses – optional Concluding prayer Invitation to the celebration of the word of God
The Mass then goes on as usual, with the addition of the Liturgy of the Word: Instruction Readings Homily [Presentation of a Bible] (optional) Intercessions for the catechumens Prayer over the catechumens At this point a new portion is added: Dismissal of the Catechumens
From this point until their baptisms, catechumens are dismissed after the liturgy of the word when they attend Mass. This is to make the process feel more like it was in the early church, when catechumens were dismissed before communion before their baptism, which might have taken years to prepare for, to make the communion more meaningful.
Rite of Welcoming the Candidates [411 – 415] Inquirers who have already been validly baptized in a non-Catholic ecclesial community, or baptized Catholic but not catechized as a child (have not received first Eucharist), are welcomed to the next stage via the Rite of Welcoming the Candidates, as defined in paragraphs 412–415 of the Rite of Initiation.
Catechumens who enter this rite are known as "candidates" from now on. Their rite of welcoming the candidates often does not take place at the same time as the catechumen's rite of acceptance.
The outline of this rite is as follows [416 – 433]:
Receiving the Candidates Salutation Opening Dialogue Candidates' Declaration Of Intent Affirmation by the Sponsors and the Assembly Signing of the Candidates with the Cross: Signing of the Forehead [Signing of the Other Senses] – optional Concluding Prayer
The Mass then continues as normal: Liturgy of the Word Instruction Readings Homily [Presentation of a Bible] – optional Profession of Faith General Intercessions (At this point there is a special prayer over the candidates) [Dismissal of the Assembly] – if the Eucharist is not to be celebrated
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Candidates are sometimes dismissed during the Mass.
Combined Rite [505 – 506] Where there are both unbaptized and baptized inquirers in a parish, there is the option to use a combined rite at this stage. This rite is formally known as "The (Combined) Celebration of the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Rite of Welcoming Baptized but Previously Uncatechized Adults Who are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church".
The outline of this rite is as follows [507 – 529]:
Receiving the Candidates Greeting Opening Dialogue with Candidates for the Catechumenate and with the Candidates for Post-baptismal Catechesis Catechumens' First Acceptance of the Gospel Candidates' Declaration of Intent Affirmation by the Sponsors and the Assembly Signing of the Catechumens and of the Candidates with the Cross: Signing of the Forehead of the Catechumens [Signing of the Other Senses of the Catechumens] – optional Signing of the Forehead of the Candidates [Signing of the Other Senses of the Candidates] – optional Concluding Prayer Invitation to the Celebration of the Word of God
Liturgy of the Word Instruction Readings Homily [Presentation of a Bible] – optional Intercessions Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates Dismissal of the Catechumens
Liturgy of the Eucharist
These rites delineate the transition between the Period of Inquiry into the Period of the Catechumenate. The rites take place when the members of the local church are gathered together for the Eucharistic celebration.
Period of the Catechumenate [75 – 80] A catechumen (from Latin catechumenus, Greek κατηχουμενος, instructed) is one receiving instruction in the principles of the Christian religion with a view to baptism. It is for this reason that those who are already validly baptized in another Christian Faith are not known as catechumens, but rather candidates.
The Catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life.
This is achieved in four ways {paraphrased}: Suitable catechesis; solidly supported by celebrations of the Word. The Catechumens learning to: turn more readily to God in prayer bear witness to the Faith keep their hopes set on Christ follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds practice the love of neighbour, even at the cost of self-renunciation Suitable liturgical rites, which purify the Catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God's blessing; including celebrations of the Word. Learning to work actively with others to spread the Gospel.
From the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
The period of the Catechumenate is a time for: Continuing to build community within the group Getting more involved in parish activities, getting to know the parish community Learning about the basic teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church Exploring important and foundational Scripture passages
More importantly, it is a time for: Continuing to examine God's presence in our lives, past and present Developing prayer life, entering into the communal worship of the parish Fostering conversion Developing or improving our relationship with God
Various rites pertain to this period of instruction for those who are unbaptized (catechumens): Celebrations of the Word of God [81 – 89] Minor Exorcisms (not [90 – 94]) Blessings of the Catechumens [95 – 97] Anointing of the Catechumens [98 – 103] Presentations {Optional} [104 – 105] Sending of the Catechumens for Election (a meeting with the Bishop of Catechumens from many Parishes throughout a Diocese) {Optional} [106 – 117]
An optional rite also pertains to this period for those who are baptized (candidates): Rite of Sending the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop and for the Call to Continuing Conversion [434 – 445]
There is also a combined optional rite if there are both catechumens and candidates in a parish: Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop [530 – 546]
The conclusion of this period leads onto the Rite of Election or Enrollment of Names for those who are unbaptized and the Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion for those who are baptized. This is a very significant and important step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent at the local diocesan cathedral, led by the local bishop. All of the Catechumens and Candidates, their Godparents (for Catechumens), and Sponsors (for Catechumens and Candidates) gather together on this day, which may involve hundreds of people. The Church formally ratifies the Catechumens' readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation and the Candidates' readiness to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church. In turn the Catechumens – from now on known as the Elect – publicly acknowledge their desire to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, and the Candidates their desire to be received into full Communion with the Catholic Church.
Second Step: Election or Enrollment of Names [118 – 128] The outline of this Rite is as follows [129 – 137]:
Liturgy of the Word Homily Presentation of the Catechumens Affirmation by the Godparents [and the Assembly]