Campus Ministry welcomed 10 students into the Catholic faith at the Church of the Incarnation on campus at the Easter Vigil this year. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) program now also offers sacraments for new Catholics in November and at individual Masses throughout the year.
Over the past six years, Karen Bless, BA ’15, who served as campus minister for liturgy and sacraments, developed an OCIA program uniquely tailored to UDallas students. She carefully constructed a deeply intellectual program, taking into account that UDallas students are immersed in the Catholic faith from the first day they set foot on campus, studying complex theological texts and meeting professors and students who are truly living out their faith. Bless knew that UDallas students who come into the OCIA program are ready for more than the basics.
“It was deeply moving how many people were there to celebrate me when I came into the Church.”
EVE COX, OCIA PARTICIPANT
Bless said, “I tell all the students who come and meet with me about it, ‘My goal is to give you enough information for you to make an informed decision. I don’t work on commission.’ This is their relationship with God, and so my goal is to assist them in growing in that relationship and walking with them as they’re trying to figure out where God wants them to be.”
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