Congratulations on your desire to grow closer to Christ! The journey of joining the Catholic Church is one that is marked by prayer, fellowship, and continued discernment. The first step is to contact your local parish where you intend to worship. Please click here for a directory of parishes in the Diocese of Charleston.
Please feel free to contact our office at 843.261.0504 if you have any questions. Please know that you and your journey are in our prayers.
§1229: “From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.”
§1233: “The Second Vatican Council restored for the Latin Church ‘the catechumenate for adults, comprising several distinct steps.’ The rites for these stages are to be found in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).”
While the initials OCIA actually stand for the liturgical celebrations which mark the steps of the catechumenate, common usage has led to the initials designating the whole process of the catechumenate but also, generally, the journey in faith taken by baptized Christians who seek to become Catholics or baptized Catholics who have never completed their initiation.