Becoming Catholic - OCIA

Becoming Catholic — The OCIA Program


Are you interested in becoming Catholic?
Are you a Catholic who would like to complete your Sacraments of Initiation? We welcome you to learn more about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at Christ the Redeemer Parish.


What is OCIA?

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a process for adults who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and discerning whether they are called to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.


OCIA is for adults who:

  • Have been baptized in another Christian tradition.
  • Have not been baptized.
  • Are Catholic and wish to complete their Sacraments of Initiation.


The OCIA process is designed to provide you with an understanding of Catholic teaching, worship, prayer, and Christian living so that you can make an informed decision about becoming fully initiated into the Catholic Church.


Full initiation into the Catholic Church includes:

  • Baptism
  • Confirmation
  • First Holy Communion

When Does OCIA Take Place?

The OCIA process generally begins in late September and continues throughout the year, culminating in the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.


Following Easter, participants continue their faith journey through a period called Mystagogy, which continues through Pentecost Sunday, fifty days after Easter.


How Do I Get More Information?


If You Have Been Baptized

If you have received a Christian baptism and are interested in learning more about becoming Catholic, please call the Parish Office at (856) 767-0719.


A member of our parish team will contact you to arrange a meeting, introduce you to the OCIA process, and complete a registration form.


You will also need to:

  • Obtain a recent copy of your Baptism certificate.
  • Choose a Sponsor who will accompany and support you throughout the OCIA process.

If You Have Not Been Baptized

If you have not been baptized and are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, please call the Parish Office at (856) 767-0719.

We would be happy to meet with you, answer your questions, and help you begin your journey of faith.


Who Can Be a Sponsor?

A Sponsor is someone who encourages and supports a candidate as they learn about and begin living the Catholic faith. A sponsor should be an active, practicing Catholic who can serve as a positive example of faith and accompany the candidate throughout the journey.

Ideally, a sponsor may be one of your Baptismal godparents, provided he or she meets the requirements of the Catholic Church. If that is not possible, you may choose another practicing Catholic whom you know and trust, such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle, relative, family friend, or teacher.


A sponsor must:

  • Be a man or woman who is a fully initiated Catholic.
  • Have received Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion.
  • Regularly attend Sunday Mass and participate in the Sacraments.
  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Not be the parent of the candidate.
  • Be willing and able to meet with the candidate regularly and help them grow in their relationship with Christ and the Catholic Church.


Interested in learning more?


We invite you to contact the Christ the Redeemer Parish Office at (856) 767-0719. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you take the next step on your journey of faith.