Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Becoming Catholic?

Regardless of how you have arrived here, you’ve come to the right place. We will journey with you towards wherever God is leading you.

Many times people come with questions, while others may have a lingering “feeling” that God is leading them towards Catholicism. Still, others may have been practicing Catholicism at some point in their lives, but for many different reasons, their lives have gone in other directions. Other adults may have been baptized Catholic, but not received any other sacraments since then.

Regardless of where you are in your journey, you are welcome here. There is no pressure, no hard sell to “become Catholic.” Just a desire to walk with you towards Christ.

What is OCIA?

OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. OCIA is the process whereby adults may be initiated into and fully enter the Catholic Church. It is for non-Catholics who may be considering joining the Church and also for Catholics who have not completed their own sacraments of initiation.

The OCIA Process

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (O.C.I.A.) Information for Adults

and those 14 years old and above.

To begin the OCIA process, please download the Adult Sacrament Registration form.

Schedule a Meeting with the Director of Adult Faith Formation and Sacraments

In this meeting we will get to know each other as well as discuss the OCIA process that would be best for you. You can schedule this meeting with Cathy Rosales by phone: 813.752.8251 ext. 304 or email: cathy@stclementpc.org.

Registration in the Parish

As you begin the OCIA process, you may come to a point where you become fairly certain that you would like to be a registered member of Saint Clement. This can be done even if you are not Catholic.

Parish Registration Form

This form can also be obtained from the Parish Office during the week. Once this form is completed it can be returned to the parish office, or it can be emailed to cathy@stclementpc.org.

Proof of Baptism (for those who have been baptized)

If you have not been baptized, you can skip this part. For those who have been baptized, we would need proof of that baptism. It will commonly come in the following ways:

• A copy of your baptismal certificate (if one was given)
• A letter from your church of baptism stating the date of your baptism and your church of baptism.

If you have questions about obtaining a proof of Baptism, please contact Cathy Rosales.

Godparent/Sponsor Eligibility Form

Each person in the OCIA process has the opportunity to choose a faith mentor. For those who are seeking baptism, this person would be called a godparent.   

All godparents would complete a Godparent Eligbility Form.

For those in OCIA who are already baptized in the Catholic Church or who are validly baptized in another Christian denomination, their faith mentor would be called a sponsor.  

All sponsors would complete a Sponsor Eligibility Form.

The godparent or sponsor would fill out the top portion of their form. He/she would then bring it to the Catholic church where they are registered. That church would complete the bottom of the form. 

Ready to start the process?
Complete the registration form and email to cathy@stclementpc.org along with a copy of your Birth Certificate.

If you're interested in learning more about the process or have additional questions, please contact Cathy Rosales at 813-752-8251, ext. 306 or cathy@stclementpc.org.