Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 196 - Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 196 - Part I. Who can be baptized, and what is required of a candidate?      

(Youcat answer) Any person who is not yet baptized can be baptized. The only prerequisite for Baptism is faith, which must be professed publicly at the Baptism.     

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1246) "Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized" (CIC, can. 864; cf. CCEO, can. 679). (CCC 1247) Since the beginning of the Church, adult Baptism is the common practice where the proclamation of the Gospel is still new. The catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) therefore occupies an important place. This initiation into Christian faith and life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.      

Reflecting and meditating     

(Youcat comment) A person who turns to Christianity is not just changing a world view. He travels a path of learning (the Catechumenate), in which he becomes a new man through personal conversion, but especially through the gift of Baptism. He is now a living member of the Body of Christ.  

(CCC Comment)   

(CCC 1248) The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with an ecclesial community. The catechumenate is to be "a formation in the whole Christian life… during which the disciples will be joined to Christ their teacher. The catechumens should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the evangelical virtues, and they should be introduced into the life of faith, liturgy, and charity of the People of God by successive sacred rites" (AG 14; cf. RCIA 19; 98).          

(This question: Who can be baptized, and what is required of a candidate? is continued)