How to Become Catholic

While many Catholics come into the Catholic Church as infants, following the tradition of the ancient Church, today, many people also choose to become Catholics as children or adults. See below for more information.

Curious About the Catholic Faith? Join OCIA!

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about what the Church teaches? The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a journey of faith for adults who are considering entering the Catholic Church or completing their sacraments.Through prayer, discussion, and community, participants grow in understanding and relationship with Christ and His Church. Whether you’re unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or a baptized Catholic who has not received all your sacraments, you are welcome!

The group meets every other Sunday following the 10:30 a.m. Mass, beginning November 2, and the journey culminates in the beautiful celebration of receiving the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil on April 4. Click below to sign up. Come and see what God might be inviting you to!

OCIA Registration

Questions? Contact: 

Deacon John Shearer: deaconjohn@nativitybloomington.org

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

OCIA is an initiation process for persons not baptized, baptized in another denomination or baptized Catholic without completing the other sacraments of initiation, who are interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic community. OCIA begins in the fall and culminates with baptism, confirmation, and reception of the Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.  Persons who were baptized in another denomination, who have been fully catechized and are active members of that denomination, may not need a full catechetical process, and may, with the agreement of the pastor, undertake a briefer preparation process appropriate to their needs, and be received into the Catholic Church some time other than the Easter Vigil.

Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC)

​OCIC is a faith formation and initiation process for children, age seven or older, who are unbaptized, or who have been baptized in some other denomination and wish to become Catholic. It is similar to the OCIA, modified to meet the needs of children. They take part in catechetical formation, either as students at Nativity School, or in the weekly religious education classes. They attend additional formation classes for the OCIC group. They participate in the liturgical rites of initiation during the year along with the adults in the OCIA, with adaptations for the needs and developmental stages of the children. As with the adults in the OCIA, the process culminates in the children's baptism, confirmation and reception of Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.