OCIA/RCIA Registration

Thank you for your interest in The Basilica of Saint Mary’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program!

OCIA in-person classes for the 2026-2027 school year are on Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., August 31, 2026-May 10, 2027. OCIA is a process for those wanting to explore the teachings of the Catholic Church and for those desiring to become fully-initiated Catholics and so, weekly attendance is necessary.

Please contact the Office of Religious Education at 703-836-4100 if you have questions. Pre-registration is helpful and open to those living in The Basilica of Saint Mary boundaries. When your registration form (below) is received, we will reach out to you to set up a time for an intake meeting.

Lastly, we encourage you to attend our summer study on the Commandments and Beatitudes, May 18, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and July 6, 2026, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the parish office.

Thank you and God bless.

Name(Required)

As it appears on your birth certificate.

First Middle Last Nickname (name you prefer us to use in conversation)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone (Preferred)(Required)

Phone (secondary)

Email(Required)

We use Flocknote (a messaging platform) to send out weekly recaps and updates throughout the year. Please share the email you are most likely to read regularly so you do not miss these invaluable emails.

Occupation(Required)

Date of Birth(Required)

OCIA is open to those 18 years old and above.

Sex(Required)

Male

Female

Upload Birth Certificate(Required)

Max. file size: 200 MB.

Place of Birth(Required)

We use this information for official Church records that are stored in the Basilica. Information is confidential and secured for Church use only.

City State / Province / Region Country

Name of Father (as listed on your birth certificate)(Required)

If no father is listed on the birth certificate, please enter "Unlisted" in these fields.

First Middle Last

Name of Mother (as listed on your birth certificate)(Required)

Please enter your mother's full name as it was listed on your birth certificate. Make sure to enter her current name and maiden name as requested.

First Middle Current Last Name Maiden Last Name

Sacraments

The Catholic Church recognizes the validity of Baptism by most other Christian ecclesial communities when the proper matter and form are used and when both the baptizing minister and the person being baptized have the proper intention (CIC 869 § 2). Water is poured or the one to be baptized is immersed in water (the matter) (CIC 854; GI 18, 22), and the minister says, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (the form) (CIC 850; GI 23). The minister's intention simply "to baptize" and the recipient's intention (or, if an infant or child, his or her parents' and godparents' intention in the child's name), simply "to be baptized" is sufficient to meet this test, even if none of the parties had a full theological understanding of the sacrament of Baptism. To help us determine if your baptism is valid, please provide your baptismal information here and please submit a copy of your baptismal record or suitable evidence (such as pictures, a letter from your church of baptism, and/or a signed affidavit from someone who was present at your baptism) as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty retrieving this information, please contact the Office of Religious Education for guidance by calling (703)836-4100 x3033 or x3023 for more guidance

Have you been baptized?(Required)

Name of Church(Required)

Denomination(Required)

Such as Catholic, Christian non-denominational, Baptist, Lutheran...

Address of Church of Baptism(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Have you previously received instruction in the Catholic Faith or Sacrament preparation?(Required)

When and where?(Required)

Present Religious Denomination (if any)(Required)

Past Religions or Denominations (if any)(Required)

Have you received these sacraments in the Catholic Church?

This question is asking if you received sacraments in the Catholic Church. If you were not baptized Catholic, the answer to all of these questions is No, with exceptions for the Orthodox.

Penance (Confession/Reconciliation)(Required)

When and denomination/church(Required)

Eucharist (Holy Communion)(Required)

When and denomination/church(Required)

I will attend OCIA because:(Required)

I am not Catholic but fully intend on entering the Catholic Church next Easter.

I want to learn more about the Catholic faith (I am not certain I want to join the Catholic Church).

I am baptized Catholic but have not made First Confession, received Holy Communion and/or been Confirmed.

Regular Faith Practice

To better help us minister to you as you seek to learn more about the Catholic Faith, we ask these questions to get a sense of where you are coming from and what your current practices of the faith are in relation to the Catholic Faith.

Do you attend Sunday Mass each week at a Catholic Church?(Required)

Do you attend the Basilica of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church regularly for Mass?(Required)

Are you registered at the Basilica of Saint Mary Catholic Church?(Required)

Are you involved in other faith groups or activities (here at the Basilica of Saint Mary or other Church), if so, please let us know the activities (such as I have children at the Basilica School of Saint Mary, I am involved in Knights of Columbus, Walking with Purpose, Young Adult events,...)

Why have you chosen The Basilica of Saint Mary Catholic Church for your OCIA preparation or learning?(Required)

Marital Status

We want to help identify and resolve any possible obstacles to becoming Catholic and being fully initiated. Please be honest and provide all relevant information regarding your current or past marriages (civil and church weddings apply to this information). Meeting with a priest as soon as possible for marriage preparation is recommended.

Current Marital Status(Required)

Single (never married)

Engaged to be married in the Catholic Church (couples are encouraged to attend OCIA classes together)

Married in the Catholic Church

Married civilly or in another faith

Unmarried, Cohabiting

Married, separated from spouse

Other

If Married or Engaged(Required)

Check all that apply to you and your spouse/fiancée.

This is my first marriage

I am separated or divorced

I was previously married and my spouse passed away

This is my spouse (or fiancée)'s first marriage

My spouse (or fiancée) was previously divorced

My spouse (or fiancée) was previously married and his/her spouse passed away

Fiancée's Name and Wedding Plans

Fiancée's Name(Required)

First Last

Name of priest/deacon and parish who is providing marriage preparation.

Planned Wedding Date(Required)

If your wedding has not been scheduled, please use a projected date.

Planned Church(Required)

If you have already planned your wedding location, please list the information here, if you have not decided at this time, you can write "undecided."

Current Marriage Information

Name of Spouse(Required)

First Last

Catholic Marriage?(Required)

Date of Marriage(Required)

Name(Required)

First Last

Has Child 5 been baptized?(Required)

Yes (in the Catholic Church)

Yes (in another Christian Community)

Age of Child(Required)

The Basilica of Saint Mary
310 South Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Main Offices
313 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Contact
Phone: 703-836-4100
Fax: 703-549-3605
Email Contact

Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm