Become Catholic

OCIA PROGRAM

Interested in Becoming Catholic?

Whether you are ready to become Catholic, have questions about the Catholic faith, or simply feel God calling you to explore something more, St. Genevieve welcomes you.


The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Church’s process for accompanying those who wish to become Catholic or complete their initiation into the Catholic Church.


Every person's faith journey is different. Some have never been baptized. Some were baptized in another Christian tradition. Others were baptized Catholic but never received First Holy Communion or Confirmation. OCIA provides a place to ask questions, learn about the Catholic faith, grow in prayer, and discern where God may be leading you.


You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning.


The first step is simply a conversation.

Begin Your Inquiry

Who is OCIA for?

Your path toward the Catholic Church depends on your individual faith and sacramental journey. St. Genevieve's OCIA program welcomes adults 18 years of age and older.

  • I HAVE NEVER BEEN BAPTIZED

    Those who have never been baptized enter the OCIA process as catechumens. 


    Through prayer, formation, participation in parish life, and discernment, catechumens prepare to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist and become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

    Begin Your Inquiry
  • I WAS BAPTIZED IN ANOTHER CHRISTIAN TRADITION

    Those who have already received a valid Christian Baptism do not receive Baptism again.


    Through formation and prayer, they prepare to make a Profession of Faith and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, receiving the Sacraments needed to complete their initiation.

    Begin Your Inquiry
  • I WAS BAPTIZED CATHOLIC BUT NEVER COMPLETED MY SACRAMENTS

    Adults who were baptized Catholic but did not receive First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation are also invited to take the next step. St. Genevieve provides preparation through its OCIA program for adults seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation, including those who need Confirmation only.


    The appropriate formation may vary depending on which Sacraments you have already received and your previous formation in the Catholic faith.


    Begin Your Inquiry

What is the OCIA journey?

OCIA is more than a class. It is a journey of conversion, formation, prayer, discernment, and participation in the life of the Church. While each person's journey may look different, the process generally moves through several stages.

Inquiry

The journey begins with questions. This is an opportunity to share your faith story, learn more about Catholicism, ask questions, and begin discerning whether God may be calling you into the Catholic Church. There is no obligation to become Catholic simply because you begin asking questions or participating in the inquiry process.

FORMATION

As the journey continues, participants grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith while developing a deeper life of prayer and participation in the Church. Formation helps prepare each person not simply to receive the Sacraments, but to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church.

RITES & SACRAMENTS

Throughout OCIA, the Church celebrates a series of liturgical rites marking important moments along the journey. For those preparing to enter the Church through OCIA, this journey ultimately leads toward the reception of the Sacraments appropriate to each person's circumstances and full initiation into the Catholic Church.

LIVING THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Receiving the Sacraments is not the end of the journey. Those newly initiated into the Church are called to continue growing in prayer, participating in the Sacraments, becoming part of parish life, serving others, and deepening their relationship with Jesus Christ.

SPONSORS & ACCOMPANIMENT

No one walks the journey of faith alone. Throughout the OCIA process, participants are accompanied by sponsors who offer encouragement, prayer, and support as they prepare to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church or complete their Sacraments of Initiation. Sponsors help participants grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith and become more fully connected to the life of the parish.

OCIA Class Schedule

St. Genevieve's OCIA program begins in the fall and continues through the months leading toward Easter. The 2026–2027 OCIA program began October 11, 2026. Classes take place in Mystical Rose Hall following the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass. All OCIA candidates are asked to attend Mass before class.

2026–2027 OCIA CLASS SCHEDULE

  • October 11, 2026 — Program Begins
  • October 26, 2026
  • November 8 & 22, 2026
  • December 6 & 20, 2026
  • January 10 & 24, 2027
  • February 7 & 21, 2027
  • March 7 & 21, 2027

Even if the current OCIA year is already underway, we encourage anyone interested in becoming Catholic to reach out and begin the conversation.

Begin Your Inquiry

TAKE THE FIRST STEP in becoming Catholic

You do not have to be certain that you want to become Catholic before reaching out. If you are curious about Catholicism, interested in receiving the Sacraments, or feel God drawing you toward the Church, we would be glad to hear your story and help you determine the next step.


Complete the inquiry form below, and someone from St. Genevieve will be in touch.