Baptism Dilemma

[ChantMom]

I entered the Catholic Church over 30 hears ago while in the military at a military chapel. During my preparation I was asked if I had been previously baptized. I told the priest I was not certain but may have been. I had no documentation and didn’t know the church and my parents were no longer living. Anyway, I was received into the Church at Easter Vigil and I thought I remembered receiving a conditional baptism during the Vigil. I was transferred shortly afterward and my sacramental record never did find its way to me. I did find out later that I had not been baptized as a child.

My son is applying to the seminary and the application asked for copies of the parents’ baptismal certificates. I wrote the Archdiocese of the Military and asked for a copy. I received a certificate for my Profession of Faith which noted my First Communion and marriage but no conditional baptism (I thought they had to be noted). So either it wasn’t noted or my memory is faulty (it was so long ago) and I was never conditionally baptized.

I am very upset and do not know what to do. I have no baptismal certificate. It is possible that I have never been baptized. Does this mean that I am not actually Catholic and that I have been committing a mortal sin by receiving communion for decades? I really am beside myself and not certain what to do. Should I approached my pastor (how embarrassing that would be)? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I entered the Catholic Church over 30 hears ago while in the military at a military chapel. During my preparation I was asked if I had been previously baptized. I told the priest I was not certain but may have been. I had no documentation and didn’t know the church and my parents were no longer living. Anyway, I was received into the Church at Easter Vigil and I thought I remembered receiving a conditional baptism during the Vigil. I was transferred shortly afterward and my sacramental record never did find its way to me. I did find out later that I had not been baptized as a child.

My son is applying to the seminary and the application asked for copies of the parents’ baptismal certificates. I wrote the Archdiocese of the Military and asked for a copy. I received a certificate for my Profession of Faith which noted my First Communion and marriage but no conditional baptism (I thought they had to be noted). So either it wasn’t noted or my memory is faulty (it was so long ago) and I was never conditionally baptized.

I am very upset and do not know what to do. I have no baptismal certificate. It is possible that I have never been baptized. Does this mean that I am not actually Catholic and that I have been committing a mortal sin by receiving communion for decades? I really am beside myself and not certain what to do. Should I approached my pastor (how embarrassing that would be)? Any advice would be appreciated.

If you have never been baptized but you were told that you were I don’t think you would be held culpable but because you are aware of this fact now I would suggest you refrain from receiving Communion until you get this fixed. I’ve heard of cases where this has happened before so don’t feel so badly

 

[CB_Catholic]

You made a Profession of Faith and your First Communion–how would this have happened if you were not baptized? You say you think you received a conditional Baptism. It is most likely you were.

Go to your parish priest and see if he can help you with getting a baptismal certificate.

 

[ChantMom]

You made a Profession of Faith and your First Communion–how would this have happened if you were not baptized? You say you think you received a conditional Baptism. It is most likely you were.

Go to your parish priest and see if he can help you with getting a baptismal certificate.

I know the whole situation sounds very strange. I had a rather traumatic childhood and don’t have a lot of memory of those times (although I do remember being asked if I wanted to be baptized and answering yes…but no memory of an actual baptism). I did discuss all of this with the priest at the time. I know he mentioned conditional baptism and I am pretty certain I had one but there is no record of it. It makes me question my recollection of events (I was very nervous and excited and to this day don’t remember taking First Communion although I know I did )

I’m pretty sure the priest and my sponsor is no longer living as they were not young at the time. I’m not sure how my parish priest could get a me a baptismal certificate - I don’t think they would just take my word for it but I am willing to give it a shot. What a mess.

 

[Bookcat]

It may be that you would be now “conditionally baptized and confirmed” - I do not know - but given the present doubt it may be the thing to do to settle the doubt. Bring the matter to your Diocese via your Pastor.

 

[pianistclare]

You made a Profession of Faith and your First Communion–how would this have happened if you were not baptized? You say you think you received a conditional Baptism. It is most likely you were.

Go to your parish priest and see if he can help you with getting a baptismal certificate.

Yes. It’s not that weird. these things happen. it should have been noted in the margin but as CB says…they would not have permitted you to partake of the Easter Vigil sacraments if they did not either believe you had been Baptized or had been conditionally Baptized then. You Parish priest can help you.

 

[ChantMom]

Thank you everyone. I will see my parish priest and hopefully get all of this straightened out.

God Bless!

 

[Bookcat]

they would not have permitted you to partake of the Easter Vigil sacraments if they did not either believe you had been Baptized or had been conditionally Baptized then. You Parish priest can help you.

And it may have been that someone thought such had occurred -but had not. Human error is possible here. So certainly seek find out what is the case - and if that is not possible - the perhaps be conditionally baptized and confirmed now - one wants to be baptized etc and be sure about this.

 

[phantom87]

Does this mean that I am not actually Catholic and that I have been committing a mortal sin by receiving communion for decades? I really am beside myself and not certain what to do. Should I approached my pastor (how embarrassing that would be)? Any advice would be appreciated.

Should you talk to your pastor yes … Are you in mortal sin ? Since the CCC tells us

"1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.”

I would say not since you where you clearly didn’t set out to commit the sin therefore it can’t be mortal