What Is OCIA?
OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is the parish process for adults preparing for baptism, confirmation, and/or full communion with the Catholic Church. It was formerly called RCIA (the name changed in 2021; it is the same process).
What OCIA Looks Like
OCIA is a journey of faith formation, not a class with a syllabus. It includes weekly sessions with a parish team, personal prayer and reflection, and a series of public liturgical rites that mark your progress. The typical timeline is about 9 months (September through the Easter Vigil), though some parishes offer year-round entry.
The Five Stages of OCIA
Each stage has its own character and liturgical rite. This is the typical progression for someone who is unbaptized. Baptized Christians entering full communion may follow a shorter path.
An open period of questions and exploration. You attend sessions, ask anything, and discern whether to continue. No commitment required.
Timing: Varies; often begins in late summer or fall
The core learning period. Weekly sessions cover Catholic beliefs, Scripture, prayer, moral teaching, and liturgical life. You are publicly welcomed into the catechumenate at a parish liturgy.
Timing: Several months, typically fall through winter
A more intense period of spiritual preparation during Lent. Includes the Rite of Election (usually at the cathedral with the bishop), the Scrutinies at Sunday Mass, and deepened prayer.
Timing: Lent (approximately 6 weeks)
At the Easter Vigil, you receive Baptism (if unbaptized), Confirmation, and first Eucharist. If already baptized in another Christian tradition, you make a profession of faith and receive Confirmation and Eucharist.
Timing: Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday night)
A post-Easter period of reflection on the sacraments you have received and integration into the full life of the parish.
Timing: Easter through Pentecost (about 50 days)
OCIA and Marriage: Which Scenario Are You?
Whether OCIA applies to your wedding depends on what each partner wants to do. Find your scenario below.
This person enters the full OCIA process. The wedding is typically scheduled after the Easter Vigil when they receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Marriage prep and OCIA run on parallel tracks.
Next step: Contact the parish early to coordinate both timelines. Expect a longer overall process.
Already-baptized Christians follow a shorter track. They make a profession of faith and receive Confirmation and Eucharist. This can happen outside the Easter cycle and often takes a few months rather than a full year.
Next step: Ask your parish about the timeline for reception into full communion. It may be shorter than the full OCIA calendar.
OCIA is not required. The couple follows the mixed marriage or disparity of cult path depending on baptism status. The non-Catholic partner participates in marriage preparation but does not need to enter any faith formation program.
Next step: Go directly to the Planning Guide for your canon law path.
OCIA does not apply. Follow the standard parish marriage preparation process.
Next step: See the Planning Guide for the "Two baptized Catholics" path.
What OCIA Is NOT
These are the most common misconceptions couples bring to their first parish meeting.
False. OCIA is only for people who want to become Catholic. A non-Catholic partner who is staying non-Catholic never needs OCIA.
False. Mixed marriages need Church permission, not OCIA. These are different processes.
False. If you are already Catholic, you do standard marriage preparation. OCIA is for people who are not yet Catholic.
False. OCIA is a process of formation and discernment, not a course with grades. It moves at each person's pace, guided by sponsors and the parish team.
This page is a practical explainer. Final requirements are always determined by your local parish and diocese. If you are unsure whether OCIA applies to you, your parish meeting will clarify it in minutes.