Full course description
Introduction to the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Sunday, July 5, 2026 - Saturday, August 8, 2026
Instructor
Sr. Esther Mary Nickel, RSM
Director of Sacred Worship, Office of Evangelization & Missionary Discipleship/Sacred Worship, Archdiocese of Detroit
Teaching Assistant
Melissa Pordon
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce ministers and OCIA leaders to the changes from RCIA to OCIA, which extend well beyond the name. Sr. Esther Mary Nickel, Director of Worship for the Archdiocese of Detroit, will guide parish leaders through the new ritual text with an emphasis on making new disciples. The Order consists of four stages: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy, with candidates and catechumens able to join the Inquiry stage at any time. Participating in Lent twice throughout the OCIA process, they will be able to see the end result of their efforts as they begin. They will also have the opportunity to speak to the elect and to catechumens who have been in their position and are preparing for the more immediate celebration of their reception into the Church. Finally, the course will renew the importance of parish leaders’ continuing ministry to neophytes after the Easter Vigil.
This course is not intended to be academically strenuous but to provide a shallow-entry point for those who have busy lives and need flexibility. This course is designed for personal enrichment and does not count towards any academic credit at Sacred Heart Major Seminary or for any certification in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Contact
For questions about course content contact the instructor/teaching assistants using the Inbox on the red menu bar on the left side of your online course page.
For technical support see the Tech Support guide in the Welcome module of the course.
Textbooks
Required Readings:
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Study Edition
Schedule of Topics:
- Introductory Module: Available beginning June 8, 2026
- Module 1: Why OCIA Instead of RCIA (July 5 - July 11)
- Module 2: Sacraments and Sacramentals with OCIA (July 12 - July 18)
- Module 3: Definition of Terms, Statutes, and OCIA Process (July 19 - July 25)
- Module 4: Precatechumenate Intake, Importance of Sacrament History, and Role of the Pastor (July 26 - August 1)
- Module 5: Catechumenate and Mystagogy (August 2 - August 8)
Weekly Activities:
The following learning activities are available to students each week. There are no specific requirements for participating in the course. However, those who complete all the videos and self-tests will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
- Weekly video lectures
- Weekly recommended readings and links to additional learning resources
- Weekly self-test to see what you’ve learned
- Open online discussion for participants to share with each other what they are learning and encourage each other
The time commitment is flexible for this course. There is one weekly video lecture (~20 min). Participants who are interested in completing all recommended readings and course tasks can expect to spend around 2-3 hours/week on the course. However, levels of participation and engagement are up to the discretion of the individual.
All Equip Courses Include These Features:
- A dedicated online learning support coordinator to offer prompt assistance
- 24/7 access to the digital learning environment
- Engagement as a community of connected learners who share a common faith
- Extended access to course content after the course end date
- Learning environment support provided by Canvas (our learning management platform)
- Technical assistance provided by Sacred Heart’s IT staff
- A Certificate of Completion is awarded to those who complete the course learning activities
Technical Requirements: