Becoming Catholic
"He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; the he and all his family were baptized at once. He brought them up into his house and provided a meal and
with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God." Acts 16:33-34
Thinking about becoming Catholic?
You've come to the right place!
The program "Becoming Catholic" (formally known as RCIA) is taught by the Faith Formation team and volunteers to prepare adults who are discerning coming into full Communion with the Catholic church through the sacraments.
Whether you are entirely new to Christianity, coming from another Christian tradition,
or you are simply seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith - we are excited to be a part of your journey!
St. Marys - Becoming Catholic
Who?
Anyone who feels attracted to the Church, but has not yet received all of the Sacraments to become in full Communion with the Catholic Church.
What?
Join us for Becoming Catholic! The program formally known as RCIA is now called OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) in the Church. But we Simplified it to "Becoming Catholic" because it is just that. We will journey together through self-study and in-person discussions to learn more about the Catholic faith.
We utilize the curriculum created by the Augustine Institute (Symbolon) in combination with supplemental material to teach the Catholic faith.
When?
Flexible session options based on the availability of our seekers. We typically meet every-other-week for a 90 minutes to 2 hours from September - April. Special summer sessions are also available to meet the needs of individual schedules.
Where?
We meet in the comfortable setting of the Formation Space (second floor, above Main Parish Office) at St. Mary Church (75 S Sandusky St, Tiffin, Ohio)
How?
Click the button below and someone from our team will be in touch to chat more and answer any questions you may have - without any pressure or commitment!
The Journey - Explained
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several stages:
Pre-Catechumenate
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate
The first rite in the OCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the community.
Catechumenate
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying Church customs, traditions, and doctrine.
Rite of Election
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
Sacraments of Initiation
At the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday), all newly elected members of the community who have been journeying through the OCIA process are welcomed formally into the community of believers through receiving the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
