Are sacraments valid, when they are received in a state of sin?

[FrancescaMaria]

Hi,
About twenty years ago I was told that I could not make a Confession, because I was baptized in a Protestant church, even though I always attended a Catholic mass and wanted to be Catholic since childhood. I was told that believing, attending mass, and wanting to be Catholic does not make me one and I needed to make a Profession of Faith. After many long months of waiting, RCIA classes, and (well frankly) begging, I was finally allowed to make my Profession of Faith, received Confirmation and First Communion at a daily mass. I made my First Confession several months later, because after some reflection and further study, I wanted to participate in this sacrament, even though my RCIA classes did not really cover it. Now, after practicing for about twenty years, I know how important Confession is and that we cannot receive other sacraments without being in a state of grace. So I wonder, was my Confirmation, First Communion and all the Communions that I received before my First Confession valid?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Hi,
About twenty years ago I was told that I could not make a Confession, because I was baptized in a Protestant church, even though I always attended a Catholic mass and wanted to be Catholic since childhood. I was told that believing, attending mass, and wanting to be Catholic does not make me one and I needed to make a Profession of Faith. After many long months of waiting, RCIA classes, and (well frankly) begging, I was finally allowed to make my Profession of Faith, received Confirmation and First Communion at a daily mass. I made my First Confession several months later, because after some reflection and further study, I wanted to participate in this sacrament, even though my RCIA classes did not really cover it. Now, after practicing for about twenty years, I know how important Confession is and that we cannot receive other sacraments without being in a state of grace. So I wonder, was my Confirmation, First Communion and all the Communions that I received before my First Confession valid?

Yes.

 

[LaetenturCaeli]

Receiving Confirmation in a state of mortal sin puts up an impediment to the graces received from that Sacrament.

That impediment is removed once one goes to Confession, and the graces come flooding in.

However, it is a sacrilege to be Confirmed in a state of mortal sin. If one knew this, they would have to mention it in Confession.

 

[Bookcat]

Hi,
About twenty years ago I was told that I could not make a Confession, because I was baptized in a Protestant church, even though I always attended a Catholic mass and wanted to be Catholic since childhood. I was told that believing, attending mass, and wanting to be Catholic does not make me one and I needed to make a Profession of Faith. After many long months of waiting, RCIA classes, and (well frankly) begging, I was finally allowed to make my Profession of Faith, received Confirmation and First Communion at a daily mass. I made my First Confession several months later, because after some reflection and further study, I wanted to participate in this sacrament, even though my RCIA classes did not really cover it. Now, after practicing for about twenty years, I know how important Confession is and that we cannot receive other sacraments without being in a state of grace. So I wonder, was my Confirmation, First Communion and all the Communions that I received before my First Confession valid?

Is a Confirmation valid if received in a state of mortal sin?

Yes.

If done knowingly that would though be more sin…

(and of course one would want to confess such if one knew such…and ones Communions in such a known state).

If it had been received in mortal sin - once one was reconciled in Confession - that Sacrament would “revive” - the impediment would be removed for the effects to come into life for one.

But then again a person might be in good faith and not realize they are in mortal sin …which make things rather different.

As to Holy Communion - if such is received in a state of mortal sin - that is another mortal sin.

However it can be that a person did so “in good faith” not knowing they were in mortal sin- honestly believing they were prepared etc. They then could be restored to grace -in their their ignorance at that time and their general repentance…and their Communions would be indeed “Holy” etc.

 

[porthos11]

Hi,
About twenty years ago I was told that I could not make a Confession, because I was baptized in a Protestant church, even though I always attended a Catholic mass and wanted to be Catholic since childhood. I was told that believing, attending mass, and wanting to be Catholic does not make me one and I needed to make a Profession of Faith. After many long months of waiting, RCIA classes, and (well frankly) begging, I was finally allowed to make my Profession of Faith, received Confirmation and First Communion at a daily mass. I made my First Confession several months later, because after some reflection and further study, I wanted to participate in this sacrament, even though my RCIA classes did not really cover it. Now, after practicing for about twenty years, I know how important Confession is and that we cannot receive other sacraments without being in a state of grace. So I wonder, was my Confirmation, First Communion and all the Communions that I received before my First Confession valid?

The Confirmation is valid.

Communions are not valid or invalid, only worthy or unworthy (or otherwise, sacrilegious or not).

In a state of mortal (not venial) sin, sacraments outside of Baptism and Penance cannot be received worthily (to do so incurs the grave sin of sacrilege). However, the sacraments are received validly, but their graces are inactive until the person is absolved. So sacraments such as Confirmation, Matrimony and Holy Orders are validly received even in mortal sin, but one would receive the sacramental graces only upon absolution.

 

[Della]

Hi,
About twenty years ago I was told that I could not make a Confession, because I was baptized in a Protestant church, even though I always attended a Catholic mass and wanted to be Catholic since childhood. I was told that believing, attending mass, and wanting to be Catholic does not make me one and I needed to make a Profession of Faith. After many long months of waiting, RCIA classes, and (well frankly) begging, I was finally allowed to make my Profession of Faith, received Confirmation and First Communion at a daily mass. I made my First Confession several months later, because after some reflection and further study, I wanted to participate in this sacrament, even though my RCIA classes did not really cover it. Now, after practicing for about twenty years, I know how important Confession is and that we cannot receive other sacraments without being in a state of grace. So I wonder, was my Confirmation, First Communion and all the Communions that I received before my First Confession valid?

Do you think that having been baptized in a Protestant church invalidated your profession of faith and confirmation, and because of your Protestant baptism you shouldn’t have received communion? Who told you this? If your baptism wasn’t valid, why weren’t you conditionally baptized by the priest? I’m puzzled just what happened that is making you fear you’ve done something wrong.

The Church recognizes all baptisms done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit with the intention baptizing as the Church teaches it. If you had that kind of baptism in a Protestant church you are fine. I’m surprised this issue wasn’t addressed during RCIA, or did you not tell anyone for fear you couldn’t be received into the Church because of your Protestant baptism? I’d be willing to bet you had a proper baptism in the Protestant church. If you can find your baptism certificate, if one was given to your family, that would greatly help you find out. Or you might want to ask whoever had you baptized (I’m assuming a family member) what kind of baptism you had and in what denomination you had it.

 

[FrancescaMaria]

Do you think that having been baptized in a Protestant church invalidated your profession of faith and confirmation, and because of your Protestant baptism you shouldn’t have received communion? Who told you this? If your baptism wasn’t valid, why weren’t you conditionally baptized by the priest? I’m puzzled just what happened that is making you fear you’ve done something wrong.

The Church recognizes all baptisms done in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit with the intention baptizing as the Church teaches it. If you had that kind of baptism in a Protestant church you are fine. I’m surprised this issue wasn’t addressed during RCIA, or did you not tell anyone for fear you couldn’t be received into the Church because of your Protestant baptism? I’d be willing to bet you had a proper baptism in the Protestant church. If you can find your baptism certificate, if one was given to your family, that would greatly help you find out. Or you might want to ask whoever had you baptized (I’m assuming a family member) what kind of baptism you had and in what denomination you had it.

I know my baptism was valid, but when I got the baptism certificate from my parents, I found out it was from a Protestant church, and when I showed it at the RCIA class, I was told I was not allowed to make a Confession, because I am technically a Protestant. My concern is that my Confirmation and First Communion was in a state of sin (not sure if mortal because of the possibility of lack of knowledge, but maybe). I knew I had sins and was sorry for them, but I thought that the sacrament of Confession was not available to me. Even after being received into the Church, no one encouraged me to make a First Confession. I just kind of came to this sacrament on my own (well actually through the work of the Holy Spirit) after some time. I have gradually confessed everything since then, but I just kind of wish I could go back in time and do things right! And it is especially painful now that I am teaching my kids to always confess before receiving any other sacrament.

 

[Della]

I know my baptism was valid, but when I got the baptism certificate from my parents, I found out it was from a Protestant church, and when I showed it at the RCIA class, I was told I was not allowed to make a Confession, because I am technically a Protestant. My concern is that my Confirmation and First Communion was in a state of sin (not sure if mortal because of the possibility of lack of knowledge, but maybe). I knew I had sins and was sorry for them, but I thought that the sacrament of Confession was not available to me. Even after being received into the Church, no one encouraged me to make a First Confession. I just kind of came to this sacrament on my own (well actually through the work of the Holy Spirit) after some time. I have gradually confessed everything since then, but I just kind of wish I could go back in time and do things right! And it is especially painful now that I am teaching my kids to always confess before receiving any other sacrament.

You are not responsible for this mess–you didn’t sin. Those who led RCIA and your pastor should have made sure you received confession before being confirmed and receiving your first communion. The same thing happened to me, believe it or not. Such mix-ups happen for many reasons, but none of this is your fault. If you feel it would help your next confession you can relate all this to your confessor, but it’s not really necessary since you committed no sin due to a mix-up or lack of response from those truly responsible. Be at peace, dear sister in Christ.

 

[FrancescaMaria]

Thank you Della and everyone else who responded for your kind words of reassurance and explanation.

 

[Della]

Thank you Della and everyone else who responded for your kind words of reassurance and explanation.

You’re so welcome.

 

[Todd977]

If I understand St Thomas Aquinas correctly, a sacrament is validly received but insincerity impedes the effect of the sacrament until such time as the insincerity ceases. ( Part III, Question 69, Articles 9 and 10.Summa Theologica,)

Thus, the sacraments you received were valid but, depending on the quality of your contrition for your sins, they may not have become effective until your confession.