The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is designed for adults and children, over the age of 7, who consciously and freely seek to be baptized and be received fully into the faith. OCIA is also for people who have already received the Sacrament of Baptism, be it Catholic or in any other faith tradition, but now seek full communion into the Catholic church.
Each person is unique and comes to God in different ways, at different times and with different questions or concerns and for this reason we will work closely with each Catechumen (unbaptized) or Candidate (already Baptized) to ensure that they are prepared for each step of their journey.
This journey is on-going which means you do not have to wait to start the OCIA process. Each person or family can begin the process at any point during the Liturgical Year.
“Be a Catholic. When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel."
– St. Maximilian Kolbe, OFMConv
If you are curious about what it means to be Catholic and would like to learn more or if you are ready to start the journey now, contact Matt Levine, OCIA Coordinator, at youthministry@olvols.org or call (518) 273-7602 ext. 102.