If one wants to be baptized

[allmyheart]

How would I assist a friend who wants to be baptized right now? She works during the time of RCIA classes and must wait for her employer to reschedule which could take awhile.My question is: Can a priest baptize a willing adult without that adult taking formal classes? She has been studying and knows she wants to be a follower of Christ.

 

[that_name]

Your friend should sit down and talk to the Priest or even the Director of Education for the Diocese.

There are other parishes with different RCIA schedules (check out masstimes.org) or there can be arranged a priest to give private instruction.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

How would I assist a friend who wants to be baptized right now? She works during the time of RCIA classes and must wait for her employer to reschedule which could take awhile.My question is: Can a priest baptize a willing adult without that adult taking formal classes? She has been studying and knows she wants to be a follower of Christ.

Usually no, adults are Baptized at the Easter Vigil, however it is the Bishop who makes the decision about when and how an adult may be Baptized. Outside of the e xception of an emergency)

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

How would I assist a friend who wants to be baptized right now? She works during the time of RCIA classes and must wait for her employer to reschedule which could take awhile.My question is: Can a priest baptize a willing adult without that adult taking formal classes? She has been studying and knows she wants to be a follower of Christ.

Your friend should talk with her pastor or RCIA director.

It’s important to be aware that RCIA is not simply a series of classes that someone takes and then “graduates” by being baptized. The R is for Rite and there are several that someone goes through on the way to baptism.

In addition, RCIA is a process of inner conversion as well as education. It takes time to nurture one’s relationship with God and to start to think and live as a Catholic.

If her local parish can’t accommodate her, she could look around at other parishes to see if they could help. But unless she’s in danger of death, she should go through the process.