St. Pius X CATHOLIC Church

OCIA is not always the proper fit for anyone and everyone who may have questions about the Catholic Faith, as many of them have not yet made a decision to become Catholic, and as such, are not ready to prepare to receive the sacraments at Easter and participate in the liturgical components of the OCIA.  In these circumstances there are important questions which require answers, teachings and beliefs which need to be discussed, and movements of the heart and mind which require prayerful discernment.

Fortunately, it is not a “Become Catholic now or nothing!” kind of a situation.  This particular group of authentic truth seekers are welcomed by the Catholic Church as “Inquirers.” Inquirers are those who have not yet made the decision to become Catholic but are interested in learning about the beliefs and teachings of the Church.  Inquiry is an open-ended process, which does not require a decision from the participants at any point in time.  In various parishes inquirers are frequently invited to participate in OCIA meetings and programs, but they do not participate the liturgical steps and sacramental components of the OCIA process.  In our parish the process of Inquiry and OCIA are similarly combined.