Q:
What
kind of classes and time commitment are required of someone who wants
to
convert to the Catholic faith?
-
D.K.
A:
I've
answered this question more times than you can shake a stick at...
But I
guess I'll grab my stick and start shaking
it again (that phrase sounds dirty, but in context it's quite clean):
The Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
is the process by which adults can convert to the Catholic faith, or if
they're already baptized and/or received First Communion, can be fully
initiated into the Catholic Church.
The RCIA varies from parish
to parish, but the
classes usually start in the fall and will meet once a week - for an
hour
or two a week - culminating on Holy Saturday (this is the day before
Easter).
It's possible to meet with a priest for individual instruction as well,
but that's up to the priest depending on how much free time he's got.
Contact a parish you're
interested in to get the
details from them. It's a long procedure, I admit, but there are
millions
of adult Catholics out there who have done it in the past few years -
and
they'll tell you it's worth it. So take their word for it (because
clearly,
my word isn't good enough).
