Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum
OCIA (formerly RCIA)
The process by which adults are initiated into or received into the Catholic Church — a period of inquiry and formation, often culminating at the Easter Vigil; renamed from “Rite” to “Order” by the U.S. bishops in 2021.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Adults are not simply signed up; they are initiated, over time, in stages. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults restored the ancient catechumenate after Vatican II: a period of inquiry, then the catechumenate proper for those preparing for Baptism, then the Lenten “purification and enlightenment” leading to the sacraments at the Easter Vigil, then mystagogy, the weeks of deepening after. Those already validly baptized in another Christian church are received into full communion by a profession of faith, Confirmation and Communion rather than rebaptized. The U.S. bishops adopted “Order” in place of “Rite” in 2021 to match the Latin title; the process itself is unchanged.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 1962–1965Second Vatican Councilthe decrees
Sources
Church teaching
- Order of Christian Initiation of AdultsOrder of Christian Initiation of Adults, English translation approved by the USCCB (November 2021) and confirmed by the Holy See, replacing the 1988 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; see the USCCB's announcement of the new title.
Sources checked 29 September 2026