Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
What is OCIA?
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA, is a casual small group environment where people who are exploring Catholic Christianity get to know more about the basic message of Christ and the mission of his Church.
Have questions?What happens in OCIA?
OCIA is a journey: a process that proceeds over weeks and months. It has several steps: Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, Sacraments of Initiation, Mystagogy
Become an OCIA VolunteerBegin the OCIA Journey in English
Schedule a Conversation with OCIA Director in English
If you are ready to take a next step, you can schedule a one-on-one conversation with our OCIA Director in English, Dcn. Robert Trahan by clicking below or email him at RTrahan@POPHouston.org.
Schedule a Conversation with Dcn. RobertComience el viaje de OICA en español
Programe una conversación con el director de OICA en español
If you are ready to take a next step, you can schedule a one-on-one conversation with our OCIA Director in Spanish, Deacon Eddy Valbuena by clicking below or email him at EValbuena@POPHouston.org.
Programe una conversación con diácono EddyFrequently Asked Questions
For Catholics who have already been baptized and received their First Eucharist, we offer an Adult Confirmation process, which may be a better fit for you than OCIA.
Many of us stopped learning about our Catholic faith when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our early teens.
Confirmation was supposed to be the time when we chose the Catholic faith for ourselves at the “age of reason,” but many of us realize that we weren’t aware enough to say “yes.”
Often, we don’t fully engage in our spiritual journey until much later in life. It’s not uncommon for us to realize as adults that we want to know more about our faith, and to wrestle with some of the more difficult questions we have.
OCIA is an opportunity for you to explore your faith. It is also a chance to see your faith through the eyes of people exploring it for the first time.
The OCIA – Adapted for Children Process is for children over the age of seven (7) who are not baptized.
This is a spiritual and faith formation process of two years which will help your child grow in their understating of the Catholic faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
The OCIA process will prepare them to receive all three of the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation.
If you have questions, contact Blanca Soto at bsoto@pophouston.org or 281.571.4124.
Click here to learn more about OCIA – Adapted for Children.
Learn More About Volunteering with the OCIA Team
We help children who want to become Catholic by accompanying them on their faith journey, sharing their experiences, and answering their questions.
Anyone Catholic adult in good standing with the Church.
Because it can help you grow spiritually while assisting others in their journey to become Catholic.
Volunteers typically attend weekly OCIA sessions and occasional events throughout the year.
Our archdiocese requires all adult volunteers 18 and up to complete safe environment training.
This short one-hour online training teaches people how to create a secure and protected environment for everyone, especially children, by recognizing and preventing potential risks or harm.
Click here to sign up for training.
Contact Us
Dcn. Robert Trahan
OCIA Director in English
Dcn. Eddy Valbuena (Bilingual)
OCIA Director in Spanish