Order of Christian Initiation for Adults offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process through which children and adults are brought into the Catholic Church. The primary focus of the OCIA process is the deepening of the relationship with Christ through the sacramental life of the Church and an increased understanding of the faith and teachings of the Catholic Church.
St. Polycarp warmly welcomes new members and we strive to provide them with spiritual formation according to their needs.  Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), is for unbaptized adults, adults who were baptized in other Christian faiths, and unbaptized children who have passed their seventh birthday.  Baptized Catholics who have not received any other sacraments are also to be included in this process. 

The Catechumenate process includes four formation periods:
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Period One: Inquiry – A time of informal introduction to the Catholic community, its teaching and traditions. Anything you have ever wanted to ask or know about the Catholic Church!
Period Two: Catechumenate – A period during which the participants gather weekly to relate gospel truths to their daily lives.  All teachings are based on Holy Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Period Three: Purification and Enlightenment – A forty-day period which focuses on prayer and spiritual growth, usually coinciding with Lent.
Period Four: Mystagogy – A period of reflecting on the experience of Initiation and the meaning of the Sacraments, and the new members’ integration into the Catholic community and preparation for deepening their spiritual growth and continuing conversion throughout their lives.

School-age children participate in a similar process of study and spiritual growth that is appropriate for their age and development. The time frame of the Catechumenate process is flexible and depends on the spiritual needs of each participant.
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If you are interested or have questions, we invite you to call the Faith Formation Office at (714) 892-3158. We’ll help you discern the next step. Know that the prayers of all of us at St. Polycarp, 65 million Catholics in the United States, and the 1.2 billion Catholics around the world are with you as you travel your journey of faith!

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