Do you want to become Catholic?

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

You may have been thinking about the Catholic Church for a long time, or you may only recently have begun to wonder what Catholics believe and why. Perhaps you are returning to faith after time away, or taking one small step toward something you want to understand more deeply. Whatever has brought you here, there is room for your questions and the time you need to explore them.

We know that faith often begins with questions.

Learn more about becoming Catholic

OCIA is a place to explore the Catholic faith, ask questions, and walk alongside others who are seeking too.

Attending OCIA is not a commitment to become Catholic or receive the sacraments, and there is no expectation that you make a decision before you are ready. Our hope is to listen to your story, make room for your questions, and help you encounter Jesus more deeply as you discern where He may be leading you.

Hear from our Director of OCIA, Kevin Pesek ’10, as he walks through what OCIA looks like at St. Mary's, who it's for, and how you can take the first step.

Watch: What to expect at OCIA

Hear from Student who went through OCIA

A Return to Faith

Bentley Bryant ‘26

From reading Scripture and asking questions to finding friendship and entering full communion with the Catholic Church, Bentley shares how she came to recognize that following Jesus was leading her home.

  • Bentley Bryant ’26 came into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026. She grew up Protestant and began walking with the Lord more deeply during the lockdown of 2020, spending hours reading Scripture, watching sermons, and falling in love with Jesus. When she came to Texas A&M, she became involved in a local church and later worked at a summer camp, where questions she had carried about Catholicism began to come to the surface.

    When Bentley returned to A&M, she met Amanda through sorority recruitment. Amanda listened to her questions with patience and kindness, never trying to win an argument, but simply walking with her.

    Through prayer, community, Eucharistic Adoration, and the sacraments, Bentley came to understand that becoming Catholic was not leaving Jesus behind. As she says in the video, “It’s not a different Jesus. The Jesus that I serve and love hasn’t changed. He’s just changed me.”

  • 00:58 Meet Bentley
    01:04 Growing Up Protestant
    03:19 Catholic Questions Come to a Head
    04:07 John 6 and the Eucharist
    06:29 Meeting Amanda at A&M in her Sorority
    07:47 Walking into St. Mary’s for the First Time
    09:30 Signing Up for OCIA
    10:13 Catholicism as the Fulfillment of her faith
    11:29 A Deepening Love of the Eucharist
    14:24 Her View of “Church” Changes
    16:29 What advice would you give to someone wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith?

An Invitation to Explore

Ana Vergara Gonzalez ‘25

Ana shares how the Lord met her in suffering and fear, and how mercy, prayer, and the sacrament of Confirmation became part of her journey back to the Church.

  • Ana was raised Catholic, but over time she drifted away from the faith. Through suffering, health struggles, and fear, she began to recognize that God had never stopped pursuing her.

    Her journey eventually led her back to the Church, OCIA, and the Sacrament of Confirmation. Along the way, Ana experienced the mercy of Jesus in a powerful way, including a miraculous healing after receiving Anointing of the Sick.

    Her story is an invitation for anyone who is questioning, returning to the faith, or wondering if God is really at work in their life. Ana reminds us that Jesus does not force Himself in, He waits for us to invite Him.

  • 00:00 Ana’s Story
    03:30 A Return to the Church
    5:00 Ana’s Medical History and Trials
    11:40 Receiving the Anointing of the Sick
    07:40 A Miraculous Healing
    14:14 February Diagnosis and Surgery
    24:30 The Healing of the Heart
    26:13 Encountering Jesus in every season of life
    31:54 ¿Qué le dirías a alguien que duda si Dios de verdad está obrando en su vida?
    (What would you say to someone who questioned if God was really at work in their life?)

Want to learn more?

At St. Mary’s, we welcome all who are interested in joining us. For those that aren’t Catholic or haven’t received all of their sacraments, we also highly recommend OCIA. If you are interested in learning more about the process or would like to start, fill out the form below. Or read the FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It stands for Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (as of Advent 2024).  The process used to be known as RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. They changed the name to “Order” because an order denotes a group of people within the church. Those in OCIA are discerning together if the Lord is calling them to become Catholic.

  • The OCIA sessions are held on Tuesday nights from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at St. Mary's.  A new class starts at the beginning of every semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Email Kevin if you are interested in starting or fill out the form above! If you have a conflict on Tuesday nights, alternatives are available.

  • For most people the process lasts for two semesters.

  • You can register the first week of OCIA, and there is no cost to attend.  If you are planning to start, send Kevin an email and he will remind you when we get closer to starting and where you are meeting.

  • OCIA is for adults who want to be baptized, baptized Christians of other faith traditions who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith or becoming Catholic, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received their first Communion and/or Confirmation.

  • Please read our new enrollment policy (enacted January 2023). If you are not currently associated with Texas A&M, Blinn, or Rellis as a student or faculty/staff member but are interested in our program, you will need to schedule a meeting with the OCIA Director to discuss your options. St. Mary’s as a whole as well as our OCIA classes are primarily geared towards students, and they are our first priority and our perspectives are geared towards them. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church does have adult sessions each semester as well.

  • Not at all. We want to assist you in discerning God's will for your life at this time. There is no pressure to do anything you don’t feel called to. We will help you through prayer, answering questions, and talking with you. We are merely here to help in whatever way we can.

  • Fill out the form here.

Advice from previous students who have gone through OCIA

"Just show up to one class. God will show you everything you need to see to become closer to Him. It may not be the actual presentation in class that speaks to you; it could be the conversations with your table or even just seeing a group of people who want to know more about the Lord.”

“Go in with an open heart and open mind. Don’t put a box on God. Don’t limit what He can do in your life. The people at St. Mary’s are there to love on you and help you through life. Be patient with yourself. Allow Christ to love on you.”

“OCIA isn’t just for people who are sure they want to join the church! In fact, I would say the majority don’t know! The leaders of this program are here to walk with you wherever you are at. It’s low pressure and very insightful! That being said, I would invite you to keep an open mind and ask lots of questions!”

“Truly listen. You may think you know about something but try to set aside your thoughts for a moment and truly listen and evaluate what the speakers, sponsors, table leaders, and others have to say. You can always decide what you think about something, but while in OCIA keep your mind, ears, and heart open and you may be surprised by the ways God speaks to you. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions or for help. My first time I attended adoration during my OCIA journey I had no idea what to do, but I was able to ask my sponsor about it and she helped me through it. Everyone involved in OCIA is there for you. Ask questions, ask for help, and don't be afraid to be vulnerable.”

“I know that the Media and society portrays the Catholic Church as this place of idolatry, hypocrisy, and is un-biblical. But please understand that this is not true, but a massive misunderstanding. There is an amazing Quote by ven. Fulton Sheen. That goes like this “there are not one hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be””

“The point of OCIA should be to ask questions! You can go and just listen, but listen with a curious heart. Don't be afraid to share what you think does not make sense or when seems wrong to you. At this point, I am confident that there is a right answer or reasoning where ever you go in the Church, because I was so set on asking about everything and not holding back thoughts on my journey here.”

Do you have other questions?

Please contact Kevin if you have any questions or fill out the form above.