Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

The process by which unbaptized adults are initiated into the Catholic Church has undergone a significant change. The U.S. bishops approved a revised edition of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in November 2021, renaming it to the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). This new translation, confirmed by the Vatican last year, was implemented at the beginning of Lent this year.

Laura Zoeller, consultant for adult formation and initiation for the Archdiocese of Louisville, explained that the name change from "Rite" to "Order" is due to a retranslation from Latin. She emphasized that becoming Catholic is not merely a one-time event but a journey involving multiple rites and periods preparing individuals for baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist.

Zoeller highlighted that OCIA should be viewed as a continuous, year-round process rather than following a school-year calendar. The bishops have encouraged parishes to welcome individuals interested in Catholicism throughout the year.

Barry Mudd, associate director of the Office of Worship for the archdiocese, noted that joining the Catholic Church should feel like becoming part of a family. He explained that individuals are formed through time and experience rather than structured classes.

Mudd stated that while candidates should ideally participate in at least one liturgical year in ordinary circumstances, the OCIA model does not require all catechumens to start and finish concurrently. The duration will vary based on individual readiness and history.

As parishes transition to this year-round model, parishioners may observe more frequent rites and dismissals during Masses. Additionally, more parishioners might be needed to support the OCIA process.