Can I be baptised this easter?

[Winterflower]

I am waiting to do the RCIA and will have begun it by Easter,
I would like to ask my Priest if I may be baptised this easter, and then continue on to the rest of the RCIA, and eventually confirmation.
It feels very important to me to be baptised this year, for various reasons, including the fact that I have an illness which may cause problems for me when doing the RCIA and I feel that baptism would strengthen me to fight it even harder to go through the RCIA.
I know I have a true faith, and I am certain that this is the true church and my spiritual home.

I am afraid to approach the Priest at my church in case he thinks badly of me for asking to be baptised this year rather than next.
Has anyone else been baptised during the RCIA?
Do you think the Priest would have a problem with this?
Thankyou and God Bless,
Kitty

 

[FightingFat]

I’m sure the priest wont have a problem with you asking Kitty!

 

[DJgang]

I would tell him exactly what you just told us…I can’t see where there would be a problem with being baptized this Easter.

God bless you.

Just call the office or go by and talk to someone.

 

[Winterflower]

Thankyou for your kind replies, I have made an appointment to speak to the Priest tomorrow, though I am still anxious about what to say.

One of the issues that I have is that my best friend wanted to do the alpha course and did not want to go alone, (we are both disabled and help eachother out).
I have been doing that course in an Anglican church and the vicar wanted to baptise me there. I have this inner need to be baptised, and I know that it would be valid to the Catholic church, but though I am not prepared to go through that in a church that I know is the wrong one in some ways it is difficult to refuse, because it feels so important to me to be baptised.

As a teen I came close to being baptised into the Catholic church but became ill and strayed for a long time. I have a good knowledge of the faith as my Mother’s family are all members of the church.

I would not expect to take the sacraments after baptism but would wait for my confirmation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am waiting to do the RCIA and will have begun it by Easter,
I would like to ask my Priest if I may be baptised this easter, and then continue on to the rest of the RCIA, and eventually confirmation.
It feels very important to me to be baptised this year, for various reasons, including the fact that I have an illness which may cause problems for me when doing the RCIA and I feel that baptism would strengthen me to fight it even harder to go through the RCIA.
I know I have a true faith, and I am certain that this is the true church and my spiritual home.

I am afraid to approach the Priest at my church in case he thinks badly of me for asking to be baptised this year rather than next.
Has anyone else been baptised during the RCIA?
Do you think the Priest would have a problem with this?
Thankyou and God Bless,
Kitty

You can ask your pastor , but it would be unlikely. Church law requires an adult to be Baptized, Confirmed and receive the Eucharist at the same time. The RCIA norm is for Adults to be Baptized at the Easter Vigil AFTER at least one full liturgical year of Catechesis.

If you were to become seriously ill and in danger of death, this requirement of course could be changed.

An important step for you would be to complete the Inquiry stage and go through the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.

 

[puzzleannie]

I am waiting to do the RCIA and will have begun it by Easter,
I would like to ask my Priest if I may be baptised this easter, and then continue on to the rest of the RCIA, and eventually confirmation.
It feels very important to me to be baptised this year, for various reasons, including the fact that I have an illness which may cause problems for me when doing the RCIA and I feel that baptism would strengthen me to fight it even harder to go through the RCIA.
Kitty

a person who has an illness or is facing treatment or surgery that may become lifethreatening should be baptized and confirmed at the same time, and receive communion, as soon as they can be prepared. a personal interview with the priest is indicated. yes, when health permits, private or group study after reception is encouraged for all those received into the Church, and in fact, pursuit of such study is a key factor in whether or not a person remains faithful in the years following.

if your condition is such that early baptism would be prudent, confirmation should be conferred at the same time and not be delayed, for the very reasons you cite, the strength and healing powers of the sacraments and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

please see your Catholic priest at the earliest opportunity to discuss your own needs. what is said in a group setting or information pamphlet or even here gives the general norms. the rite provides exceptions for every conceivable situation, including this one.

 

[Winterflower]

I want to really thank people who have replied or who have taken time to read my post.

My illness is not life threatening at this moment but has been so in the past and may become that way again. So guess I will try to explain my situation to the Priest.
Having said that, I do not want to be a whiner, or to ask for anyone to bend the rules for me - I see there is a good reason for the way things are arranged.
I am praying for humility and patience in accepting whatever the outcome is.

Thankyou again.

Kitty

 

[Winterflower]

I spoke to one of the Priests at my church and he has decided it is best for me to do some work with him one to one and that maybe I will be ready for Baptism and Confirmation at Easter.
He thinks this will be more helpful for me than RCIA and he was very kind and supportive, I’m reallt glad that I managed to talk about it, its definitely a weight off
Thankyou and God Bless you all,
Kitty