> << Does anyone know, generally, when the baptism of catechumens
> stopped
> being a regular part of the Easter liturgy? >>
>
> It still is a regular part of Easter, at least for adults who join
> the church.
>
Quite so; but its function has been restored by Vatican II.
Previously the Easter Vigil had dwindled to a shadow of its former
self, no doubt because of the increasing shortage of catechumens to
baptise. The ceremonies were put back into the afternoon of Holy
Saturday during the 10th century, and into Saturday morning during the
14th. By this time they had become a formality performed by the
clergy, with minimal interest from the laity and no actual baptisms.
Oriens.
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