The St. Dominic OCIA Ministry welcomes all seeking knowledge of the Catholic faith and prepares those desiring to become Catholic for reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation). The RCIA/OCIA Ministry accepts and prepares the unbaptized, those baptized in another Christian faith seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and those baptized Catholics seeking completion of their sacraments. This ministry seeks to form life-long, faithful Catholics who actively participate in the life of the parish. Want to be CATHOLIC?
What is OCIA? 
The ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (OCIA), formerly known as the RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) is a communal process of faith formation and involves a number of stages punctuated by liturgical rites. This process addresses the intellectual, human, and spiritual formation necessary for individuals to learn what the Catholic Church teaches, to experience the practice of the Catholic faith, to prepare for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation, and to "carry out the mission of the entire people of God in the church and in the world."
Who can participate in the OCIA?
Through the OCIA Rite, the Church prepares Adults and through both OCIC & OCIT, the Church prepares Children & Teens to receive the 'Sacraments of Initiation'. The process includes Catechumens, Candidates and Inquirers. Catechumens are individuals who have never been baptized in any Christian Church, and after hearing the Good News of Christ, open their hearts to God and freely choose a path of discipleship within the Catholic Church. Candidates are persons baptized in another Christian faith tradition, who are interested in joining the Catholic community of believers. Candidates also include those baptized in the Catholic Church but who have not received First Eucharist or Confirmation. Inquirers are those who want to know more about the Roman Catholic Church; the Inquirers who wish to continue move onto the next stage to become Catechumens or Candidates.
How long does it take?
The amount of time required depends on the needs of the individual. Consideration is given to the following:
- whether a person is baptized
- how much religious education (catechesis) the person has
- whether the person has been actively participating in another Christian faith
- how familiar the person is with the Catholic faith
- whether there are any impediments due to prior marriages, or there is a need for marriage preparation
For an unbaptized inquirer who is not well catechized, the process can take two years, whereas, for a baptized person who has actively participated in another Christian faith, the process can be less than a year. St. Dominic offers inquiry sessions throughout the year (except for a small summer break). Fundamental catechesis and sacramental preparation sessions begin in the fall and continue through the Easter season.
Assessment of the process and timeline for an individual is conducted during an in-person interview with a priest or deacon using the OCIA Intake Form.
Additional information about OCIA from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is available here.
Adults: for more information about OCIA at St. Dominic, please call the parish office 719-392-7653
Children 7-17 years of age: Register for Religious Education. For more information about OCIC & OCIT at St. Dominic, please contact Kathy Thilenius at 719-392-7653 x 1012, or kthilenius@stdominiconline.org