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Dear Michael,
You said:
I am a Muslim man and I want to change my religion. I have been studying Christianity for more then two years and I have faith. There is no Church in my city and I need to go to another city to convert.
I want to know about the ceremony for becoming a Christian.
- How much time does it take to be a Christian?
Usually the process can take up to nine months but for certain people in situations like yours (being a Muslim) the Church may have a shorter, quicker way.
Fr. Jonathan may know.
You said:
- Can I go through the whole ceremony in one day?
Yes! The ceremony itself is usually done during the Mass, our worship service, where we renew our Sunday Covenant with Jesus, Our Lord.
The nine-month period, prior to joining, is called RCIA and is a time where you learn what Catholic Christians believe. There is no commitment to become Catholic in taking RCIA; you are just learning what we believe as Catholic Christians and finding out what various ministries your parish has that you can serve in.
At the end if the program, if you decide you wish to join the Church, a priest in a neighbor church will assist you. Just call your local or neighboring diocese.
A diocese is a wide district or area under the pastoral care of a Catholic bishop.
If you wish to learn more about what we believe, read the Catechism and these postings:
If you can't afford to buy a physical Catechism, you can read it on-line.
You said:
I wish to keep this private.
Because of the massive number of Muslims/Moslems worldwide, I have change your name to an Anonymous name that does not match any part of either your first or last name.
I sense there are many, many Muslims/Moslems worldwide that would be helped by the good questions you have asked and who would be interested in becoming a Catholic Christian despite blatant, open statements that those who leave Islam will be killed.
The Catholic Church is not like this at all. If one wishes to leave the Catholic faith, they are welcome to leave and even return later.
The Church only asks that they don't distort what the Church and faithful Catholics believe about Jesus and His Church.
I hope you understand.
Mike
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