{"id":307,"date":"2020-08-13T16:11:42","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T20:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sap.diocesanweb.org\/church\/?page_id=307"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:44:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:44:21","slug":"becoming-catholic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/saparish.com\/church\/faith-formation\/becoming-catholic\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming Catholic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The process of becoming a member of the Catholic Church is officially known as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or \u201cOCIA.\u201d This program is intended for unbaptized adults or those baptized in another faith who wish to become Catholic. OCIA is also for Catholic adults who want to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Communion.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The OCIA process begins each fall and continues with participants becoming full members of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. This timeframe consists of five unique stages:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Stage One: Inquire<\/h3><\/div>\r\n \t\t\t

Becoming Catholic starts with filling out an inquiry form about the OCIA process to express a desire to join the Catholic Church.\u00a0 Fill out the short online form here<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n \t\t \t\t\t

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Stage Two: Join us at the kickoff meeting<\/h3><\/div>\r\n \t\t\t

The next stage is the OCIA Kickoff where those interested can learn about the Catholic faith and then decide if they want to continue on and be welcomed into the Church at the Rite of Acceptance.\u00a0 The kickoff will be held here at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7 PM in Meeting Room C.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n \t\t \t\t\t

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Stage Three: Catechumenate<\/h3><\/div>\r\n \t\t\t

The third stage is the Catechumenate, where participants begin to attend Mass as a group. At this stage, those who are unbaptized become known as \u201cCatechumens\u201d and those who are baptized become known as \u201cCandidates.\u201d Then, on the first Sunday of Lent, they are presented before the Bishop at the Rite of Election and Enrollment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n \t\t \t\t\t

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Stage Four: Purification and Enlightenment<\/h3><\/div>\r\n \t\t\t

Following the Rite of Election and Enrollment, the participants enter the stage of purification and enlightenment. It is at this time that they begin to prepare for receiving the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil and their Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n \t\t \t\t\t

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Stage Five: Mystagogy of the Holy Spirit<\/h3><\/div>\r\n \t\t\t

The final step is called Mystagogy of the Holy Spirit. At this stage, the Neophytes (newly baptized) and the Candidates become active members of the parish and the Sacramental life of the Church.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n \t\t <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n