Q&A Potpourri #2
How long does it take for a person to become Catholic?
It depends on the individual. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process can take anywhere from 8 months (the typical length) to 2 years (the recommended length), but some people go through years of personal study into the Catholic faith before they finally make the decision to enter the process.
What is a catechumen?
A catechumen is a non-Christian who is receiving religious instruction in preparation for the sacraments of initiation and membership in the Catholic Church. A non-Catholic Christian receiving the same instruction is called a “candidate”
How many times is the word “water” present in the Bible?
It depends on the translation you are using. The word “water” is found 407 times in the Revised Standard Version, 363 times in the King James Version, and 345 times in the Douay-Rheims version.
What happened to Jesus’ body after He died?
First it was laid in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea. For three days it remained there, lifeless, while Jesus’ soul preached to the righteous in Hades. On the third day, His soul reunited with his body, causing it to come alive again, and for forty days He appeared to his disciples and apostles. At the end of forty days, He ascended, body and soul, into heaven.
What is the name of the Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation?
The response in question is commonly referred to as the “Catholic Reformation” or the “Counter Reformation.” Historian William V. Hudon has also suggested the term “Tridentine Reformation.” Christopher M. Belllitto, in his book Renewing Christianity: A History of Church Reform from Day One to Vatican II, chooses the term “Catholic reformations” (note the lower-case “r” and the plural) so as to refer not to one specific response but to all of the attempts to reform the Church that took place just before, during, and after Martin Luther came on the scene.
How often must a priest say Mass?
According to the Code of Canon Law, priests are “earnestly invited to offer the eucharistic Sacrifice daily” (Can. 276 § 2).
Peace of Christ to you,
Nicholas Hardesty,
WIMM Board Member
Director of Religious Education, Blessed Mother Catholic Church
Feel free to email your questions to nicholashardesty@gmail.com