"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 (KJV)You Are Not the First
Many people who find their way to the Catholic Church describe a long, quiet pull that they could not explain. A sense that something was missing. A hunger that other things could not satisfy. A feeling, sometimes, that they were being led somewhere.
If you are reading this page, you may know that feeling. We want you to know: you are welcome. The Church is not a club for the perfect. It is a hospital for sinners. Everyone who is here arrived the same way you are arriving: uncertain, searching, and drawn by something they could not fully name.
What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) is the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church. It is not a test. It is a journey. You will meet with a group of people who are asking the same questions you are, guided by a pastor or a team of teachers.
OCIA typically begins in the fall and concludes at the Easter Vigil, when new members are received into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion. But you can begin the conversation at any time of year. There is no wrong time to start.
You do not need to be certain before you begin. You only need to be willing to ask the questions.
Find a Parish Near You
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops maintains a Mass times and parish finder that can help you locate a Catholic parish and Mass schedule near you.
This link opens the USCCB Mass times finder in a new window.
If You Are Returning
If you were baptized Catholic but have been away from the Church for some time, you are not starting over. You are coming home. The Church has not forgotten you. She has been waiting.
The sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is the door back in. It is not a punishment. It is a gift. Many people who have been away for years describe their first Confession in decades as one of the most profound experiences of their lives.
You can call any Catholic parish and ask to speak with a priest. You do not need to explain everything on the phone. You can simply say: "I have been away and I would like to come back." That is enough.
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
Luke 15:20 (KJV)If you have questions or would like someone to talk to, we are here.
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