OCIA
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Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
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IS Catholicism for you?
Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Whatever questions regarding Catholicism you may have, you are invited to take part in our OCIA no-obligation inquiry classes. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which interested adults and older children are introduced to the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. There is no commitment to make during the first few meetings. These initial sessions are only for you to explore, discover and discern if you wish to advance in learning more about the Catholic faith.
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Becoming Catholic
For those not yet baptized, the OCIA process leads to the Easter Vigil where the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation are received. For those who have been previously baptized in another Christian tradition, full participation is imparted through the reception of the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation at Christmas time or Easter.
Our parish offers two OCIA cycles, consisting of roughly twenty sessions. The first cycle runs from July to the last week of Advent, with a few reflective "mystagogy" sessions in January for those confirmed at Christmas. The second cycle runs from November to Holy Week, with "mystagogy" sessions in April or May.
The first cycle sessions are held on Wednesdays and the second cycle sessions are held on Tuesdays. All sessions are held at St. John the Baptist Pastoral Center (1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061) from 6:30-8 PM.
To begin, please open, complete and submit a short online form by clicking on the button below.
OCIA Intake Form
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The Rite of Election marks the end of the Catechumenate and the beginning of the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. Celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, this rite takes place at a predetermined location where the participants are presented to the Bishop.
For the Catechumens, the Bishop greets them and then signs the Book of the Elect. Upon hearing their sponsors' affirmation, the Bishop acknowledges them as the Elect of God and gives them his blessing to continue the process towards full initiation into the Church.
For Candidates, the Bishop also greets them and their sponsors affirm them as well. Upon hearing this, the Bishop invites the Candidates to join with the Church in a spirit of repentance and to hear the Lord's call to continuing conversion.
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Rite of Election
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