President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D. | University of Dallas website

Campus Ministry at the University of Dallas welcomed 10 students into the Catholic faith during this year’s Easter Vigil at the Church of the Incarnation on campus. The university’s Order of Christian Initiation Program for Adults (OCIA), previously known as RCIA, has experienced growth in recent years and now offers sacraments for new Catholics not only at Easter but also in November and at individual masses throughout the year.

Deacon Ryan Sales, Director of Campus Ministry, noted that some Catholic universities expect their religious identity to draw students naturally, but at the University of Dallas, FOCUS missionaries are actively inviting non-Catholic students to participate in campus ministry programs. Aubrey Mai, Team Lead and “varsity” missionary, works specifically with student athletes, a group largely composed of non-Catholics.

The OCIA program was developed by Karen Bless, an alumna and former Campus Minister for Liturgy and Sacraments. Bless created a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of University of Dallas students who are exposed to complex theological texts and engaged discussions from their first day on campus. Her previous experience includes teaching in parish RCIA programs and working at the Fort Worth chancery.

Bless also expanded the program’s leadership team to include alumnus Jason Schwartz and several Dominican novices. This allowed for small group discussions after each session and provided more opportunities for one-on-one meetings between students and leaders.

“I tell all the students who come and meet with me about it, ‘My goal is to give you enough information for you to make an informed decision. I don’t work on commission,’” Bless said. “This is their relationship with God, and so my goal is to assist them in growing in that relationship and walking with them as they’re trying to figure out where God wants them to be.”

Junior Eve Cox arrived at the University of Dallas as a nondenominational Christian attracted by its liberal arts focus and commitment to Christian principles. She initially learned about Catholicism through conversations with friends before seeking more detailed answers from Affiliate Assistant Professor of Theology Richard Bulzacchelli. After those conversations resolved her questions about her Protestant faith, she decided she needed the Eucharist.

After spending summer break with her family, Cox joined OCIA when she returned to campus. She found value both in learning specific Church teachings during classes and in connecting with others considering conversion through small group discussions.

“Even though I already knew a lot, I really appreciated being around other people who were thinking about converting because they could really understand me,” Cox said. “I really appreciated going to OCIA with a bunch of people who were in the same boat. I have lived my life one way for my whole life, but now I’m seeing the truth, and it’s so beautiful, but these are my frustrations and I just want to talk it out. It was like a support group.”

Bless emphasized that spiritual conversion is an ongoing process; not all students are ready for sacraments at the same time. Students may join OCIA any time during the year, with special Masses offered both in November and at Easter.

Cox entered into full communion with the Church in November 2024. She reflected on her experience: “It was deeply moving how many people were there to celebrate me.”