Expert: Tom Schott - 1/27/2005

Question
I have been attending RCIA classes for the last month (I have never been baptized).  I was just told that I am to participate in the rite of election ceremony about 4 weeks from now, but that I need to go through another ceremony before I can go through the rite of election.  This "pre"-ceremony was described to me as walking down some steps into a pool of water, and then walking out on the other end (among other things).  Is this a baptism?  (If so, I am surprised that I am to be baptized so quickly, since I have only been attending RCIA for a month!)  And if it is a baptism, does this mean that I can take communion afterwards?

Answer
Emily,

  Hmmm. This sounds peculiar to me. What you describe as "pre-cermony" sound like baptism to me, and you're right, it would not be happening till Easter vigil for you. Maybe this is a practice of some sort for the real thing. Just put the question straight to your RCIA team: just what is this? And get them to explain to you why you're doing it--if indeed something like this is happening.

Deacon Tom