The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is also called "The Catechumenate".

The OCIA, or Catechumenate, is a faith formation process developed by Christians of the first century Catholic Church and is marked by study and prayers. It is a process preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism of adults, a formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council revised the Rite of Baptism of Adults and prescribed that the time of Catechumenate, a time of Christian formation and education in preparation for Baptism, is to be sanctified by Liturgical Rites. Those Rites are manifesting the maturity of disposition of the
candidates in their acceptance into the Catechumenate and are celebrated during the Liturgy of the Mass. Catholic adults, who have been baptized, but never received the Sacrament of Confirmation and/or the Sacrament of Eucharist, and desire to complete the reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) are invited and welcome to the OCIA faith formation process. This process of spiritual formation is completed with the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

 
The periods of OCIA/Catechumenate formation are the following:

I. INQUIRY – a period of weekly sessions of evangelization, a time of initial conversion and development of genuine will to follow Christ, and to seek the Sacrament of Baptism.

II. CATECHUMENATE – is initiated by the Liturgical Rite of Acceptance celebrated during the Mass of the first Sunday of Lent. This Rite joins the Catechumens to the Church.

III. PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT – is a period of deeper spiritual preparation, a time of interior reflection, catechetical instruction, prayers, and celebration of Rites of Scrutinies during the third, the fourth and the fifth Sunday of Lent.

IV. HOLY SATURDAY – at the EASTER VIGIL MASS, those who have completed their preparation process will formally enter the Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

V. MYSTAGOGY (Postbaptismal Catechesis) – is a time of spiritual reflection on the mysteries of the Sacraments received and the beginning of living out the Faith in practical ways.

VI. PENTECOST SUNDAY - closes the period of post-baptismal catechesis.

Meetings are scheduled for Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, at the Hospitality Room of Saint Albert Catholic Church, 1095 Channing Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301. The first meeting is scheduled for September, 23rd, 2024. Come and see! Sit in on a class to discern the Catholic faith.

For the 2024-2025 calendar, click HERE

To register for the class in advance,  fill out this FORM 


For more information, please contact:
Florence de Bretagne, Faith Formation Director
(650) 494-2496 ext. 3
[email protected]

Current OCIA Team Members are:  Fr. Rolando Santoianni, Deacon Daniel Hernandez, Teresa Budzich M.Div. and Ruthie Hoover.