OCIA / Adult Faith Formation

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a journey of conversion, formation, and encounter with Christ and His Church. 

The lessons draw from Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the lived tradition of the Church. They are commonly used in parish OCIA programs but are also suitable for adult faith formation and inquiry groups.

Who These Resources Are For

• Adults discerning the Catholic faith

• Catechumens and candidates preparing for the sacraments

• Parish OCIA teams and catechists

• Adult faith formation and inquiry groups

How These Lessons Are Used

These lessons are typically used as part of a weekly OCIA gathering and are designed to encourage listening, discussion, prayer, and reflection. Each lesson includes Scripture, short videos, discussion questions, and optional vocabulary.

Catechists are encouraged to adapt the pacing and emphasis to meet the needs of their group, in collaboration with their parish leadership.

OCIA Formation Areas

Catholic Foundations

Introduces core Catholic beliefs and practices, including the story of salvation, the sacraments, prayer, moral life, and the nature of the Church.

Scripture and Prayer

Helps participants learn how Catholics read Scripture and develop a daily prayer life, including exposure to different forms of prayer.

The Sacraments

Explores the sacraments of initiation and healing, with particular attention to Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Living the Christian Life

Focuses on discipleship, moral decision-making, Catholic social teaching, and life in the Church.

Many OCIA sessions draw directly from the Catholic Foundations lessons on this site. These foundational lessons provide a shared vocabulary and understanding that supports deeper discussion throughout the OCIA process.

Sample OCIA Session

The following example shows how a typical OCIA session might be structured using the resources on this site.

Sample Session: What Is Catholic?

Purpose:
To introduce participants to the Catholic Church, what Catholics believe, and how Catholicism helps shape a relationship with God.

Typical length: 75–90 minutes
OCIA phase: Inquiry or early Catechumenate
Adaptable for: Adult faith formation and Youth Confirmation (Grades 8+)

Session Flow

1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Invite participants to quiet themselves and ask the Holy Spirit for openness and understanding.

2. Scripture Proclamation (10 minutes)
Read Matthew 22:1–14 (Parable of the Wedding Feast).
Invite participants to reflect on God’s invitation and their response.

3. Teaching & Video Reflection (40 minutes)
Watch short video segments introducing:

• What Catholics believe

• The role of the Church

• The meaning of sacraments

Pause between videos for reflection and guided discussion.

4. Small-Group Discussion (10 minutes)
Facilitate conversation. Encourage participants to share freely without pressure or debate.

5. Closing Reflection or Prayer (10 minutes)

Conclude by inviting participants to reflect on where they feel drawn in their faith journey.

Materials Used

• Scripture (Catholic approved Bible)

• Short YouTube videos

• Guided discussion questions

• Lesson outline (PDF)

Catechists are encouraged to adapt the pacing and depth of discussion based on the needs of their group. The goal of each session is not to cover every topic exhaustively, but to foster openness to God, honest questions, and ongoing conversion.

👉 Download OCIA Schedule Template (XLS)

These resources are offered in support of parish OCIA programs and are not intended to replace the guidance of the pastor or parish OCIA team.