Are you curious about Jesus Christ?

Would you like a lifelong encounter with Jesus?

Do you want to learn about the Catholic Faith?

Do you want to understand your faith better?

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the rite through which adults are received into the Catholic Church.

The OCIA programme is an exploration of faith. It is a time for those who are wishing to be received into the Catholic faith to come and explore the faith in a friendly and informal atmosphere, with the catechists and Fr. Kevin.

We welcome those who have never been baptised and those who have been baptised into another part of the Christian faith.

We also welcome anyone returning to the Catholic faith or anyone who currently comes to mass, but would now like to take the sacraments wiuth their family or spouse.

Even if you are just curious – please come and see.

Everyone is welcome! 

The meetings begin in October each year and are weekly, with candidates who wish and desire to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

HOW TO JOIN US

If you would like to explore OCIA or have an informal chat please reach out directly to our priests and we will be delighted to speak with you.

Then complete the online application form below.

The OCIA 2026/7 programme will begin in October with an 8-week study of the bible each Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in St Joseph’s Church hall.
The course is designed as a step by step walk through the bible, how to read it and how to apply it in our daily lives, using multi-media resources in a structured, easy to understand way.

This will be followed by the continuation of the programme from December to April, a twelve-week course where sessions usually run for 90 minutes. The dates will be finalised later.

Everyone is welcome 

St. Josephs, St. Elizabeths, please contact Father Elvis Berka directly: eberka@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

St. Edmund Campion, please contact Father Vuni directly: tvuni@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

St. Thomas More, please contact Father Kevin Hughes directly: khughes@portstmouthdiocese.org.uk

Please note: The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), is the new name for the old RCIA, so during this transition, some documentation may refer to RCIA and some OCIA – they are the same.