The Archdiocese of Chicago, like a number of dioceses in the United States, has noticed an uptick in the number of participants in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Who are they and why are they coming? Chicago and 19 other dioceses decided to participate in a collaborative study of this growing interest in the Catholic Church. Those attending one of the four Rites of Election and Continuing Conversion at Holy Name Cathedral this past Lent had a QR code in their ceremony program inviting them to participate in this survey. The results were released just a few weeks ago. Even though the report is only ten pages long, it contains an enormous amount of information. So, let me just highlight a few things that I thought were important.

In spite of media reports that this emerging interest in Catholicism was primarily driven by young males, the numbers do not support this. 54% of the participants in the survey were female and 46% were male. That has certainly been our experience at Assumption. While our numbers have been larger these last two years, the number of men and women has been almost equal. The report also found that the number of those in the OCIA process who were unchurched, those who were baptized in another Christian faith and converting to Catholicism and those who were baptized Catholic but received little or no religious formation was about equal.

What is perhaps most revealing in this survey and what may actually account for the growing number of OCIA participants is the reason cited for joining the church.  Back in 2007 the Pew Research Center found that 72% of new Catholics said that marriage was an important reason for being baptized, being received into the church, or completing their initiation into the church. In this year’s survey only 26% of catechumens and candidates cited dating or marriage to a Catholic as a reason for joining the church. Although difference in the survey design could account for some of this change, the magnitude of the difference cannot be ignored.  

Among this year’s OCIA participants, the primary motivating factors for most of them were a desire for a deeper spirituality, a deeper relationship with God, and to grow in goodness and virtue. The second group of motivating factors were about being attracted to the church itself—its liturgy and sacraments, its tradition, and its longevity in a rapidly changing world. The third most important reasons centered around the community itself—a desire for meaningful relationships, being supported in their faith journey, and the example of family members and friends who are active Catholics. Less than 40% of responded cited the church’s stance on social issues and as the largest provider of charitable services as a reason for becoming Catholic. My experience with our own OCIA participants is that this does not reflect a lack of interest in charity and justice, but the fact that one can be involved in those endeavors without joining a church. And, yes, we have seen here an increase in the number of participants who come on their own and not with a partner.

While this growing number of “singles” coming to OCIA is certainly good for the church, it should also make us sensitive to the challenges they face. It is one thing to come into an OCIA group with the support of a partner; it is another to step forward on one’s own without knowing anybody in the church. In fact, when participants were asked about obstacles they felt, many cited the feeling of being spiritually unprepared, fear of not fitting in with the group, and the potential negative reaction by family and friends to their decision to enter the church. This is just one more reminder of the importance of being alert to newcomers, who may be checking us out and hoping that someone will help them feel at home.

Here are some other interesting facts in this survey. Most of these participants in the survey approached Catholicism with either a positive or neutral perception. 29% entered the OCIA process with a previously negative perception of the Catholic Church (and must have had their minds changed. In this digital age, about 66% had availed themselves of some on-line resource (Ascension, Word on Fire, Hallow) while they were exploring the Catholic faith. As to why most people chose a particular parish, the most frequent reason was location, although some pointed to the time and day of the sessions in relation to their other commitments. Finally, the survey noted participants in every age group are better educated than the average person in their demographic. This offers a challenge for the future. How can we better reach those without a college degree?

                                                                        Fr. Joe