What is O.C.I.A?

 Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or O.C.I.A, is a communal process for formal initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. This process is a return to the formation of the earliest members of the Church in the first and second centuries.

We offer Adult  O.C.I.A and Sacramental Prep Classes in English.


Directors
Carlos & Monica Dinis
(559) 917-5149
rcia@stjohnsfresno.org

Wednesdays Singleton Hall
7:00pm - 8:30 pm 


Registrations 2025-2026 Currently Closed

To be placed on the waiting list please call:

(559) 917-5149


  • Fee: $100 Visa, Master Card, American Express or Money Order.
    (NO CASH)
  • Please bring Baptism Certificate if you need to register for First Communion and/or Confirmation Classes.
  • If you only need Confirmation please bring Baptism and First Communion Certificates.
  • Becoming Catholic? Please bring Original Birth Certificate.   


September 2025

Mon
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6:30pm OCIA / SAC PREP

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10:30am Breaking Open the Word

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6:30pm OCIA / SAC PREP

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10:30am Breaking Open the Word

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6:30pm OCIA / SAC PREP

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10:30am Breaking Open the Word

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6:30pm OCIA / SAC PREP

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10:30am Breaking Open the Word

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6:30pm OCIA / SAC PREP

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10:30am Breaking Open the Word

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describes the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults as a process in which participants "undergo…conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments…The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism."

Likewise, the language used in the RCIA process is that of the early Church formation programs. Catechumens are those people who are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Candidates are people who have been baptized in a Christian tradition but are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church through Eucharist and Confirmation.

All are Welcome!

RCIA is a process of study, exploration, faith-sharing, and faith formation with specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers. Seekers and inquirers are non-baptized adults who desire to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church and/or baptized adult Christians who desire full communion in the Roman Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who have not been baptized and desire to join the Church are invited into the ancient celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. During this process, which is marked by regular ritual acts, participants are introduced to the liturgy, the teachings, and the life of the Catholic Church.

Adults or older children who were baptized in another Christian denomination prepare in a similar way for the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist during their reception into the Catholic Church.

OCIA is a Journey

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps:

List of Services

OCIA Team

People journeying through the RCIA process need sponsors and community support to help them grow in faith. The RCIA team of sponsors help guide, support and instruct those discerning whether to become members of our Catholic community. Team members share their faith with inquiring adults who are seeking more information about the Catholic Church, many of whom seek to celebrate one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Adult Sacramental Classs

These classes are for Catholics who are seeking the Sacraments of First Communion and/or Confirmation. 

For those whom are already baptized catholic.