Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). 

The process of joining the Catholic Church has several steps, but it is not a journey anyone makes alone. The Church, as the Body of Christ, walks with those who seek to come into the Catholic faith. So while it may seem a daunting journey, many people will prayerfully walk with and accompany you throughout the process.

Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church. After a conversation with a priest or a parish, the person, known as an "inquirer," may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite for Entrance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. 

The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen. The Period of the Catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God's inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church.

The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral church. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.

The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education in the Period of Mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost. During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission and outreach activities.

The process leads participants through four stages of formation and three major liturgical ritual celebrations. The process begins with a period of inquiry for those who have felt called to consider the Catholic faith. Here you will find an open space to ask questions about what Catholics believe while meeting others striving to live Gospel values. Know that the initial inquiry does not necessarily commit you to initiation.

STAGE ONE: The Period of Evangelization and Pre-catechumenate or Inquiry is the first stage of the journey.  It is a time to explore and question your faith, uncover the basic message of the Gospel and begin to discern how to live this in your life. It is a time of discovery with no fixed structure or duration. This is described as a time for inquiry and introduction to the gospel values; an opportunity for the beginnings of faith.

STAGE TWO: The Period of the Catechumenate is a time to deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith and your relationship with Jesus. It is a time for suitable pastoral formation and guidance.  It can be thought of as an apprenticeship. At the heart of the Catechumenate period is conversion of heart, the conversion to Jesus Christ.

STAGE THREE: The Period of Purification and Enlightenment is a time for deeper prayer and reflection, and a time to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. This stage is more intense in spiritual preparation.  It occurs during the season of Lent before Easter.

STAGE FOUR: The Period of Mystagogy marks the time when the newly baptized (neophytes) begin their lifelong commitment to living a Christian life. It marks a shift from learning about faith to living faith in everyday life in the world.

Every parish in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City offers this spiritual formation journey for those seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith or become Catholic. If you would like to learn more, please contact your local parish (click here).