Join us for the 2026 National Gathering on Christian Initiation® on August 5–6 at the Loyola University Chicago Lakeshore Campus, located in the Rogers Park neighborhood.
At the National Gathering on Christian Initiation®, parish leaders and initiation ministers will strengthen their ministry through hands-on skill-building, honest conversations about shared challenges, and the exchange of proven approaches. In a dynamic mix of learning, dialogue, and prayer, participants will come to see more clearly that the vision of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is inseparable from the parish’s call to be a community of missionary disciples.
If you have any questions, please contact us at NGCI@ltp.org.
The Theme for 2026 is The Rituals of the OCIA: Prepare, Celebrate, Reflect.
Join us for a dynamic two-day conference exploring the transformative power of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Together, we will dive into the ritual celebrations that form disciples and shape communities, with a focus on preparation, celebration, and reflection.
This gathering is designed for initiation teams, clergy, liturgists, musicians, catechists, and anyone who desires to bring new life to the way their community celebrates the OCIA. Come be inspired, equipped, and renewed in your ministry.
We will explore how the intentional preparation of catechumens, candidates, ministers, and the assembly will lay a foundation for powerful liturgical experiences. We will look at what the Church calls ars celebrandi and consider the beauty and meaning behind celebrating the rites with reverence, creativity, and style. Finally, we will mystagogically reflect on how these celebrations form us for mission and life in the world today.
Registration for the 2026 gathering is SOLD OUT! An optional, pre-gathering event will be held on August 4 with more information to follow. If you have any questions, please contact us at 800-933-1800.
The schedule for the National Gathering on Christian Initiation® has been intentionally designed to offer an engaging balance of presentations, prayer, fellowship, discussion, and focus on the needs and challenges of our specific ministries.
| August 5, 2026 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Registration Meeting room doors open at 8:45 AM |
| 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Welcome, Introductions, and Opening Prayer |
| 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM | General Session Prepare, Celebrate, Reflect |
| 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM | Pastoral Practice The Rite for Entrance and The Minor Rites |
| 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM | Working Session Preparing for the Rite of Sending |
| 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch (included with registration) and travel to Chapel |
| 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | Ritual Celebration Madonna della Strada Chapel |
| 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Travel from Chapel and Coffee Break |
| 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Mystagogical Reflection |
| 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | General Session Fostering a Culture of Mystagogy in Parish Life |
| 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM | Break |
| 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM | General Session The Art of Celebrating the Rites of Initiation |
| 5:00 PM | End of Day Dinner and evening on your own |
| August 6, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Roundtable Discussions (Optional) |
| 9:00 AM - 9:10 AM | Announcements and Prayer |
| 9:10 AM - 9:30 AM | General Session The Role of our Parishioners in the OCIA Rites |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Working Session Preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation |
| 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM | Travel to Chapel |
| 10:20 AM - 11:00 AM | Ritual Celebration Madonna della Strada Chapel |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Travel from Chapel and Break |
| 11:30 PM - 12:00 PM | Mystagogical Reflection |
| 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | Lunch (included with registration) |
| 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM | Pastoral Practice The Rites during Purification and Enlightenment |
| 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM | General Session Celebrating the Rites with Children, Different Languages, and Multiple Sites |
| 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Break |
| 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM | General Session The Rites for the Baptized and the Combined Rites |
| 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Closing Prayer and Farewell |
Each year, a different team of presenters work together with an LTP representative to plan the major presentations and breakout sessions of the event. Team members have been invited not only because of their understanding of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Scripture, but also because of their vast parish and diocesan experience.
Fr. Ken Simpson, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has served in parish, campus, and formation ministries, including roles as pastor, seminary dean, and vicar for priests. He is committed to building vibrant parish communities rooted in prayer and service.