Unbaptized Convert-to-be: What do we do?

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Long story short, after much, much study, contemplation, and research, I decided a few months ago that the Catholic Church was the truth, and I want to be a part of it. I grew up in a protestant household that believes baptism is a choice where we officially accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. For this reason, I was never baptized because I never fully understood it or had it explained to me, and saw it as optional. I now see that this is not true at all!
I missed RCIA classes this year and they don’t start until next fall. Now that I more fully understand the sacrament of baptism, I, for obvious reasons, am very concerned with the fact that I am not baptized. What am I to do in this scenario? I cannot begin my process in becoming a baptized Catholic because the classes do not start until after summer (and I’ll be moving to a new city over the summer). Is there something I can do currently to attempt to right this?
Thanks!
 
KSZach said:
Long story short, after much, much study, contemplation, and research, I decided a few months ago that the Catholic Church was the truth, and I want to be a part of it. I grew up in a protestant household that believes baptism is a choice where we officially accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. For this reason, I was never baptized because I never fully understood it or had it explained to me, and saw it as optional. I now see that this is not true at all!
I missed RCIA classes this year and they don’t start until next fall. Now that I more fully understand the sacrament of baptism, I, for obvious reasons, am very concerned with the fact that I am not baptized. What am I to do in this scenario? I cannot begin my process in becoming a baptized Catholic because the classes do not start until after summer (and I’ll be moving to a new city over the summer). Is there something I can do currently to attempt to right this?
Thanks!
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There will be a better answers coming forth by more knowledgeable people than me but I think that you a covered by what is known as the Baptism of Desire. You are wanting to be baptized and are making this journey.

I am a convert. I love the Church. Sometimes the road has been rocky but if you hold firm to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible you will do just fine.

If you hear or read anything that simply does not make sense to you always check with the Catechism.
 
HelenRose said:
There will be a better answers coming forth by more knowledgeable people than me but I think that you a covered by what is known as the Baptism of Desire. You are wanting to be baptized and are making this journey.
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I was thinking this falls under baptism of desire as well.

From the catechism:

1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.
 
Be sure to speak to the parish priest of the area to which you will be moving, as soon as you can, and explain your situation. He may have advice about what you can work on in the meantime. Also, many (most?) parishes in the U.S. do begin RCIA in the fall, but a few may begin at other times of the year. You’ll want to be sure not to miss out if it starts earlier in the new parish than you expect!

And have faith. Do what you can, and don’t worry about the rest. God loves you and wants what is best for you. Trust in Him. 🙂
 
Those who are students of the Faith in anticipation of Baptism are called catechumens, a Latin word for students. Catechumens do not need to worry about dying before their baptism.

Someone else beat me to posting this. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.
Click to expand...
 
leamar3 said:
I was thinking this falls under baptism of desire as well.

From the catechism:

1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe you are covered under baptism of desire. There is much for you to do until RCIA starts up again in the fall: attend Mass as regularly as you can; learn the rosary and start a prayer life; read EVERYHING you can get your hands on about the Church, especially the catechism, bible and the lives of the saints; watch EWTN and bring your questions here. If you know where you will be staying in your new city, look up the Catholic church in that area and call the office to see when the RCIA begins and get your name on the list. Welcome Home!! :grouphug:
 
Catholic1954 said:
Yes, I believe you are covered under baptism of desire. There is much for you to do until RCIA starts up again in the fall: attend Mass as regularly as you can; learn the rosary and start a prayer life; read EVERYHING you can get your hands on about the Church, especially the catechism, bible and the lives of the saints; watch EWTN and bring your questions here. If you know where you will be staying in your new city, look up the Catholic church in that area and call the office to see when the RCIA begins and get your name on the list. Welcome Home!! :grouphug:
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and make that appointment with the priest just to talk it over… Praying for you…
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
 
I suggest that the unbaptized do the following…

Care for the sick.
Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Shelter the homeless.
Clothe the naked.
Visit prisoners prison.
Bury the dead.
Give alms to the poor.
Console those in distress.
Pray for me. :o

-Tim-
 
PaulfromIowa said:
Those who are students of the Faith in anticipation of Baptism are called catechumens, a Latin word for students. Catechumens do not need to worry about dying before their baptism.

Someone else beat me to posting this. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
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Well said.

There is a process in the Church for joining, and it is not a short one, even though you may have done much studying.

To the OP: God is both a God of Justice and of Mercy. He doesn’t play “gotcha!”. Baptism is necessary, but should never bee reduced to some sort of “magic” formula. Be at ease; God knows your heart. Pray; study, speak with whomever will be your pastor; and join RCIA in the fall.

God bless you on your journey!
 
To add to what the others have said, you might inquire at different local parishes regarding their RCIA/conversion process. The parish we attend began its RCIA program last May and our class came into the Church at Easter Vigil so it was a LONG process, especially considering that my husband and I were so well-read and prepared that we could’ve taught the classes :rolleyes:

But recently, my Catholic friend who attends a different parish stated that her priest has a different view/philosophy and he meets with the catechumens/candidates personally to assess where they are in their journey and that he allows them to come into the Church at whatever point in time they are ready. They don’t necessarily have to wait for Easter Vigil.
 
slh3016 said:
But recently, my Catholic friend who attends a different parish stated that her priest has a different view/philosophy and he meets with the catechumens/candidates personally to assess where they are in their journey and that he allows them to come into the Church at whatever point in time they are ready. They don’t necessarily have to wait for Easter Vigil.
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👍 this makes so much sense to me…
 
KSZach said:
Long story short, after much, much study, contemplation, and research, I decided a few months ago that the Catholic Church was the truth, and I want to be a part of it. I grew up in a protestant household that believes baptism is a choice where we officially accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. For this reason, I was never baptized because I never fully understood it or had it explained to me, and saw it as optional. I now see that this is not true at all!

I missed RCIA classes this year and they don’t start until next fall. Now that I more fully understand the sacrament of baptism, I, for obvious reasons, am very concerned with the fact that I am not baptized. What am I to do in this scenario? I cannot begin my process in becoming a baptized Catholic because the classes do not start until after summer (and I’ll be moving to a new city over the summer). Is there something I can do currently to attempt to right this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Since you are in no danger of eternal damnation because of your desire to be baptized (should you die before the actual Baptism), why don’t you just wait and follow the process?

There is beauty in waiting and imagine the joy when the time finally comes when you will be baptized.

Good thing will always await those who wait but more importantly you cannot change your own history. When they say faith is a journey, you would know you have one of your own. It is unique for everyone who undertakes it. You will appreciate the fact that when you look back after being baptized you will see what a difference it made by the step you have taken. And how special you will be, knowing that you have found your Savior or rather the Savior has found you.

May God bless you in your journey.
 
I too agree that you would fall under the ‘baptism of desire’ category. As for what to do I’d recommend reading a few books like “crossing the Tiber” by Steve ray, “born fundamental, born again Catholic” by David curie and “Rome sweet home” by Scott Hahn. Read at least one of these or all three and keep praying. God bless
 
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