Online OCIC and RCIC Classes for Children, Teens, and Young Adults
Begin Comprehensive Catholic Formation Today
Our Young Adult Faith Formation Program offers more than 150 self-paced online lessons for older children, teens, and young adults preparing to become Catholic, receive the Sacraments, or complete the Catholic instruction they need. Students can begin immediately and study from home on their own schedule.
What Are OCIC and RCIC?
RCIC is a familiar abbreviation for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children or RCIA adapted for children. Since the English title RCIA became OCIA—the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults—some Catholics and parishes now use OCIC when speaking about Christian initiation for children and young people.
The formal ritual terminology includes the Order of Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age. Families may also encounter names such as the children’s catechumenate, OCIA adapted for children, youth OCIA, RCIA for children, or Baptism preparation for older children. People use these terms to search for age-appropriate Catholic formation for children and young people entering the Church.
Whatever term brought you here, the goal is the same: to help the student learn the Catholic Faith, embrace it sincerely, and prepare reverently for Baptism and the other Sacraments of Christian initiation.
Who Can Use This Online OCIC/RCIC Course?
This course is designed for children, teenagers, and young adults who need substantial, structured Catholic formation. It can serve:
- Unbaptized older children and young people preparing for Baptism and entrance into the Catholic Church
- Young people baptized outside the Catholic Church who are learning the Faith and preparing to enter into full communion
- Baptized Catholic students who need comprehensive instruction while preparing to receive Sacraments they are missing
- Families needing a flexible online option because of homeschooling, travel, health needs, scheduling conflicts, or limited local classes
- Parishes, priests, DREs, and catechists seeking an extensive online curriculum with quizzes, grading, and progress records
Not sure which course is right? Use our Course Selector to identify the program that best fits the student’s age, Baptism status, previous instruction, and Sacraments already received.
Why Becoming Catholic and Receiving the Sacraments Matter
Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church and entrusted to her the fullness of revealed truth and the seven Sacraments. Every child and young person should be taught the true Faith, brought into the Church, and helped to live as a faithful Catholic.
Baptism is necessary for salvation. It washes away original sin and all personal sins committed before Baptism, gives sanctifying grace, makes the baptized a member of Christ and His Church, and opens the way to the other Sacraments. When Baptism was delayed in infancy, families should move forward with confidence and help the child or young person begin preparing now.
Those already validly baptized outside the Catholic Church should be instructed in the Catholic Faith and encouraged to enter into full communion with the Church. Baptized Catholics who are missing Confirmation, First Confession, or First Holy Communion should likewise continue their formation and prepare to receive the Sacraments worthily.
Start Catholic Formation Online
What Does the OCIC/RCIC Curriculum Include?
The Young Adult Faith Formation Program, designed by CatechismClass.com founder Fr. James Zatalava, provides more than 150 lessons in Catholic doctrine, Scripture, worship, morality, prayer, and the Sacraments.
The Catholic Creed
The twelve Articles of the Creed, the Holy Trinity, creation, the Incarnation, Redemption, and eternal life.
The Seven Sacraments
Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
Scripture and Salvation
The Old and New Testaments, God’s plan of salvation, and the Church’s essential place in that plan.
The Holy Mass
The parts of the Mass, the Real Presence, the Holy Sacrifice, and preparation for worthy Holy Communion.
Commandments and Morality
The Ten Commandments, the Commandments of the Church, virtue, sin, conscience, and Catholic moral life.
Prayer and Catholic Life
Catholic prayers, the saints, the liturgical life of the Church, spiritual growth, and perseverance in the Faith.
What Is Included with the Online Course?
- More than 150 online lessons providing broad and substantial Catholic instruction
- Quizzes and automatic grading to reinforce learning and document progress
- Progress records that help families and instructors monitor completed work
- Self-paced study with no classroom schedule or fixed completion deadline
- Lifetime course access that does not expire
- Parent or guardian oversight through the student-management features of the adult account
- A Certificate of Completion available upon request after the applicable course requirements have been satisfied
How Do Online OCIC/RCIC Classes Work?
1. Enroll Online
Purchase the Young Adult Faith Formation Program and assign the course to the student.
2. Study at Your Own Pace
Complete lessons and quizzes from home on a schedule that works for the student and family.
3. Continue Toward the Sacraments
Use the completed instruction and progress records as the student continues preparing for reception into the Church and the Sacraments.
Online instruction makes it possible to begin learning immediately instead of waiting for the next local class cycle. The Sacraments themselves are received in person through the Catholic Church, while the CatechismClass.com program supplies extensive religious education that can be completed at home.
Why Families Choose Online OCIC/RCIC Formation
- Start immediately: There is no need to wait for a classroom session or registration season
- Flexible scheduling: Study around school, work, sports, travel, and family responsibilities
- Learn as a family: Parents can follow the lessons and discuss the Faith with their child
- Work at the student’s pace: Spend more time on unfamiliar topics without pressure from a group schedule
- Use any connected device: Access lessons from a computer, tablet, or smartphone
- Preserve access: Return to the course for review because access does not expire
Faithful Catholic Formation Since 2004
CatechismClass.com has provided online Catholic religious education since 2004. Its courses draw upon Sacred Scripture, Catholic catechisms, the writings of saints and theologians, traditional prayers, assessments, and multimedia instruction.
CatechismClass.com has received endorsements and favorable evaluations from Catholic leaders and reviewers, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Karl Keating, and CatholicCulture.org. Visit our About page to learn more about our history, mission, leadership, and Catholic endorsements.
View the Complete OCIC/RCIC Program
Frequently Asked Questions About Online OCIC and RCIC Classes
What do OCIC and RCIC stand for?
RCIC is a familiar abbreviation for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children or RCIA adapted for children. Following the change from RCIA to OCIA, some Catholics and parishes use OCIC when referring to Christian initiation for children and young people. The formal ritual terminology includes the Order of Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age.
Is this course only for children younger than 14?
No. CatechismClass.com’s Young Adult Faith Formation Program can provide comprehensive Catholic instruction for older children, teenagers, and young adults. The appropriate initiation process may vary with the student’s age, Baptism status, maturity, and circumstances, but young people do not need to be redirected away from this course merely because they have reached a particular birthday.
Can an unbaptized child or teenager take OCIC/RCIC classes online?
Yes. The course provides more than 150 online lessons in Catholic doctrine, Scripture, morality, prayer, the Mass, and the Sacraments for children and young people preparing to become Catholic and receive Baptism.
Can a young person baptized in another Christian denomination use this course?
Yes. A young person who was validly baptized outside the Catholic Church can use the course to learn the Catholic Faith and prepare to enter into full communion with the Church.
Can a baptized Catholic who is missing Sacraments use this course?
Yes. The program can provide broad Catholic formation for a baptized Catholic who needs additional instruction while preparing for First Confession, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or other stages of Catholic formation.
How long do the online OCIC/RCIC classes take?
The program is self-paced and has no fixed completion deadline. The time needed depends on the student’s schedule, previous knowledge, reading level, and pace of study. Course access does not expire.
Does the course include quizzes and progress records?
Yes. The program includes quizzes, automatic grading, and record-keeping so that students, families, and instructors can monitor completed work and progress.
Is a Certificate of Completion available?
Yes. After the applicable course requirements have been satisfied, a Certificate of Completion documenting the CatechismClass.com coursework may be requested.
Can families begin the course immediately?
Yes. Enrollment and coursework are online, so the student can begin Catholic formation without waiting for a classroom schedule or a new registration cycle.
Help Your Child or Young Adult Move Forward in the Catholic Faith
Do not let a delayed Baptism, missed religious education, a busy schedule, or uncertainty about terminology prevent a young person from learning the Faith. Enroll in a comprehensive Catholic course that can begin today and continue at the student’s own pace.
Enroll in Young Adult Faith Formation
Related Catholic resources:
Baptism Preparation for Older Children |
Adult OCIA and RCIA Classes |
Confirmation Classes |
Sacramental Preparation