Prepare for the Journey
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RCIA Documents
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“Of course, this is always an adventure, but life can be successful only if we have
the courage to be adventurous, trusting that the Lord will never leave me alone,
that the Lord will go with me and help me.”
-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Prepare for the JourneyOCIA is an adventure of the heart and mind. We have curated some resources below that may help you prepare for your journey. Seeking truth is a lifelong and inexhaustible pursuit, so we need not wait until September to pray, read, study, meditate, and explore! If you need any help along the way, we are happy to help!
As we begin, please download an Inquirer’s Questionnaire located under OCIA Documents sub heading on the side bar of this page. Hard copies will also be available at our first OCIA meeting. Please complete as early as you can. Providing us this information early will help us know how to better serve you throughout the OCIA process.
Praying through OCIAPrayer is at the heart of a Christian's life of faith, and the discipline of dedicated and intentional prayer will make your experience of OCIA truly beautiful and transformative. It is in prayer that you will intimately encounter God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he will be your teacher and guide. Pray every day, even if only briefly. If you struggle with prayer, do not be discouraged; throughout the OCIA process we will help you cultivate a personal and life giving prayer life. To learn more about some of our more treasured prayers as Catholics, click here. Also, to explore the Catholic tradition of daily prayer, known as the Liturgy of the Hours, click here.
What will we read in OCIA?
The Bible: The Catholic Church believes that the study of Scripture is the “very soul of sacred theology.” Thus, the OCIA experience is immersed in Scripture. Even if you are unfamiliar with the Bible, we encourage you to begin personal reading and study of Scripture, especially the Gospels, in preparation for OCIA. Read it every day. If you are looking to invest in a personal study Bible, consider these translations of the Bible for Catholic study: Revised Standard Version, the New Revised Standard Version, the Jerusalem Bible, and the New American Bible. If you are in need of a Bible or would like help finding a Bible that's right for you, please contact the OCIA team!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Catechism, promulgated in 1997, “aims at presenting an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine.” This text draws primarily from “the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium.” Everything we explore in OCIA will be found within the Catechism. This text is available online and in most bookstores.
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults: This book serves as a handy companion for those on the OCIA journey. Organized in such a way as to help you explore the Catholic faith easily and simply, this book will help you reflect on our discussions and enable you to participate more fully. Participants will receive a personal copy during the OCIA process.
Exploring Catholicism
Below are some links that may help introduce you to Catholic teaching, culture, and spirituality: