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Becoming Catholic

The Church is communio; she is God’s communing with men in Christ and hence the communing of men with one another.
~ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ~

Why the name change?
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA, as it has been more commonly referred to, will have its name changed to Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, as a better translation of the original latin name for the program!

OCIA is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The order of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.

Many people inquire about becoming Catholic for many different reasons. Phase one of the journey starts in the heart of the seeker and continues in a small inquiry group where questions are raised and discussed freely. We call it a process because, like any faith journey, each one’s pace is unique. The general process that the Catholic Church uses to initiate adults is based on the same process that the early Christians used during early centuries of Christianity. Full initiation takes place with the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

Even if you’re not ready to become Catholic, but are seeking answers, OCIA is a great place to receive them. If you have more questions or want to sign up, submit your information on the OCIA inquiry form on the tab above.

Becoming Catholic is one of life’s most profound and joyous experiences. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are infants, and, over time, they recognize the enormous grace that has been bestowed on them. Others enter the Catholic fold when they are older children or adults. This tract examines the joyful process by which one becomes a Catholic.

A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Communion—but the process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms.

A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One’s initiation is deepened by Confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism. This is true for children who are baptized Catholic (and receive the other two sacraments later) and for adults who are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the same time.

Those who have been validly baptized outside the Church become Catholics by making a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by confirmation and the Eucharist.

Before a person is ready to be received into the Church, whether by Baptism or by profession of faith, preparation is necessary. The amount and form of this preparation depends on the individual’s circumstance. The most basic division in the kind of preparation needed is between those who are unbaptized and those who have already become Christian through baptism in another church.

For children who have reached the age of reason (age seven), entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) or Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT).

“I did not fully grasp the importance of the selection of an RCIA class until the day of my conversion. Coming from an academic world, I was drawn to the RCIA class at Lourdes because of its reputation for intellectual rigor cultivated by Father Brian’s nuanced understanding of Church teaching, and, in this sense, it did not disappoint. But standing alongside my fellow catechumens after we received our first communion, I felt an emotional intimacy that is rare in life, let alone from a class. While I didn’t realize it in the midst of our weekly routine in the months leading up to our conversion, this intimacy was quietly growing through shared moments of joy in experiencing spiritual truth, laughter at Father Brian’s jokes, fulfillment through intellectual growth, tears during first confession, and peace in experiencing God’s love. On the day of conversion, it felt as though all of our worldly pretensions were shed, leaving just us with one another and God. Whether you are a cradle Catholic striving for deeper faith, a newcomer pursuing conversion, or an atheist seeking truth, RCIA at Lourdes offers something truly special that I would recommend to anyone. There is also beer.”  —Jeanette Goldwaser, MD

When?

Wednesday nights from 6:30–8:30 PM, starting September 11, 2024 through Easter 2025. 

For those who are ready to enter the Church, or are actively seeking answers about entering the Church, we strongly encourage you to attend our in-person class. Please contact rcia@lourdesdenver.org to register, or feel free to attend the first class and register upon arrival. 

Where?

Please go to Our Lady of Lourdes McCaddon Hall (basement of the church), 2200 S. Logan St. Denver, CO 80210, at the corner of Iliff Ave. and Logan St.

Who is invited?

All adults who are new to the Faith, or curious about the Faith (18 and older) are welcome and encouraged to come with your friend who encouraged you to give it a try! Those seeking the sacrament of Confirmation, those exploring the Catholic faith, OCIA is a great place to learn about the Faith for the first time. You do not need to be sure about joining the Catholic Church to attend. We can cross that bridge together when it comes, but in the meantime, we look forward to seeing you each Wednesday, starting September 11, 2024!
Email Bri Scannell at rcia@lourdesdenver.org with additional questions.

What should I bring?

There is no need to bring anything! 

Tests? Homework? Cost?

No, no, and no!

Food?

This year, we will not be able to provide dinner, but snacks and beverages will be provided. Please feel free to bring your individual dinner/snack to eat during class if you will be attending in person.

What are the attendance expectations?

If you are seriously considering, or have already made the decision to become Catholic, or are seeking the sacrament of confirmation, we expect nearly 100% attendance of weekly OCIA classes.

Who teaches OCIA?

Classes are taught by Our Lady of Lourdes Pastor Fr. Brian Larkin. Occasional guest speakers may also be invited to teach a class or two.

Religious Ed/RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children)

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish does not currently offer RCIC-specific classes for older children at this time.

Children (3rd through 8th grade) who wish to enter the Church, or are in need of additional sacraments, are invited to attend Lourdes’ Family Faith Formation program (which will count for catechism needed to participate in sacraments for Easter/Confirmation).  For more information regarding this program, please visit lourdesdenver.org/family-faith-formation/ and contact Bri Scannell at bri@lourdesdenver.org. Parents who have children outside of 3rd through 8th grades are encouraged to contact Bri, as well, bri@lourdesdenver.org, for alternative resources.

Click Here for OCIA Class Follow Up

Questions About OCIA?

Email rcia@lourdesdenver.org