Become a Catholic (OCIA)

What is OCIA? 

OCIA stands for “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.”  It is the process by which adults and older children are introduced to beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. It is an ancient rite of the Church and the manner in which individuals are initiated into the Church.

Who should attend OCIA?

OCIA is for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, regardless of whether or not they are certain they would like to join the Church.  It is not a commitment to join the Church.

OCIA is for those who: 1) have no religious background at all; 2) have been a part of a different faith background (Protestant is just one example) or 3) were baptized Catholic as infants but never practiced nor learned about the faith and are now wish to come back to the Church.  These are just a few examples.  OCIA is for anyone who wishes to learn more about the Catholic faith and possibly join our Church family.  OCIA includes people from all walks of life – young and old with different backgrounds and jobs.

How does OCIA work at St. Peter Cathedral? 

For 2026-2027, our first session will take place on October 6, 2026. We meet on Tuesday evenings in the Media Room (in the basement of the cathedral) at 7 p.m., taking breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We plan for approximately 20 sessions. Each session lasts between one and 1.5 hours. Those preparing for full initiation – baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist – will be received into the Church during the Easter Vigil at 9 p.m. on March 27, 2027. Baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Church will be initiated during a Mass to be announced at a later date.

Can I attend Mass if I am not Catholic?

Everyone can attend Mass. OCIA students are required to attend Sunday Mass (Saturday 4pm Mass counts for this obligation).   The Mass is the center of Catholic life and as such, weekly Sunday Mass attendance is prescribed for all Catholics.

May I receive communion if I am not yet Catholic?

Unfortunately, no. An unbaptized person needs to be baptized before he or she can receive the Eucharist. For baptized persons who are not yet Catholic, they cannot receive due to the historical divisions which have separated Christians for many centuries. Since the founding of the Church by Christ, Catholics have always believed that the Eucharist is Jesus truly present in the Eucharist- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  It is NOT “just a symbol.” Because of the centrality of the belief of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of unity of faith, life, and worship, non-Catholics are not admitted to Communion.

Ready to get started? Please contact the parish office at (906) 226-6548 or email Patrick Awtrey at .