Baptism

[Meg_Fred]

[my first thread did not post so I’m trying this again…] My children were baptized Lutheran but I am now raising them Catholic. Do they need to be baptised again in the Catholic Church?

 

[japhy]

Nope. So long as they were baptized in water with the Trinitarian formula (“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”), they received a valid (true) baptism.

 

[phoage]

No they do not need to be baptised again. In fact they cannot be. Baptism done correctly leaves a perminant mark on the soul and Lutherns baptise correctly.
They will need to make a statement of belief in and acceptance of Catholic doctrine.

I recommend you see the parish priest of your local parish about all the ins and outs of this. Exactly what needs to be done for children depends on their age and religious knowledge.

 

[turtle18]

If they are past the age of seven, they will probably need to be Confirmed before they can receive the Eucharist.

As another poster mentioned, check with your pastor.

 

[1ke]

[my first thread did not post so I’m trying this again…] My children were baptized Lutheran but I am now raising them Catholic. Do they need to be baptised again in the Catholic Church?

Baptism cannot be repeated.

You do need to formally bring your children into full communion with the Church, however. How you accomplish this depends upon their ages.

If they are below the age of reason-- approximately 7-8 years old-- you make the declaration publicly that you are bringing the children into full communion with the Catholic Church. The additional rites of baptism, such as the white garment, candle, and anointing with chrism can be done. The children would then continue on with catechesis and receive the remaining sacraments of initiation at the appropriate time.

If they are over the age of reason, then the children must make their own profession of faith, manifesting the intent to become Catholic. They would be received into the Church and complete their sacraments of initiation (Confirmation and Eucharist). This is via the RCIA. The catechesis can be adapted for children, depending upon their ages.

The first step is to make an appointment with your priest and discuss your particular situation with him.

 

[Big_Ro]

I think you mean First Communion not Confirmation which occurs at an older age. About 12 yo. My son is 7 and he’s doing his First Communion. My oldest daughter is eleven and we were told she would begin the Confirmation process next year. Am I missing something?

 

[Meg_Fred]

Many thanks to everyone who responded. I will make an appointment with my priest.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think you mean First Communion not Confirmation which occurs at an older age. About 12 yo. My son is 7 and he’s doing his First Communion. My oldest daughter is eleven and we were told she would begin the Confirmation process next year. Am I missing something?

Non-Catholic children over the age of reason (about 7 or 8) go through RCIA adapted for children. If they are not baptized then at the Easter Vigil they would be baptized, confirmed, and receive their First Communion. If they have already been baptized then they would be confirmed and receive First Communion.

 

[1ke]

I think you mean First Communion not Confirmation which occurs at an older age. About 12 yo. My son is 7 and he’s doing his First Communion. My oldest daughter is eleven and we were told she would begin the Confirmation process next year. Am I missing something?

If a baptized adult (in canon law, that is anyone over the age of reason) converts to the Catholic Church, they receive the remaining sacraments of initiation at the time they are received into the Church-- they receive both Confirmation and Eucharist. For the unbaptized, they receive all three sacraments of initiation at the same time.

Your child, baptized as a Catholic, receives the sacraments in the order and at the age prescribed by your Bishop. Canon law requires only that the candidate for confirmation has reached the age of reason (approximately 7 or 8), and there is similar criteria for reception of Eucharist. See the below canons:

Can. 889 §1. Every baptized person not yet confirmed and only such a person is capable of receiving confirmation.

§2. To receive confirmation licitly outside the danger of death requires that a person who has the use of reason be suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew the baptismal promises.

Can. 890 The faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the proper time. Parents and pastors of souls, especially pastors of parishes, are to take care that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the appropriate time.

Can. 891 The sacrament of confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion unless the conference of bishops has determined another age, or there is danger of death, or in the judgment of the minister a grave cause suggests otherwise.

Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion.

§2. The Most Holy Eucharist, however, can be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion reverently.

 

[Big_Ro]

If a baptized adult (in canon law, that is anyone over the age of reason) converts to the Catholic Church, they receive the remaining sacraments of initiation at the time they are received into the Church-- they receive both Confirmation and Eucharist. For the unbaptized, they receive all three sacraments of initiation at the same time.

Your child, baptized as a Catholic, receives the sacraments in the order and at the age prescribed by your Bishop. Canon law requires only that the candidate for confirmation has reached the age of reason (approximately 7 or 8), and there is similar criteria for reception of Eucharist. See the below canons:

Can. 889 §1. Every baptized person not yet confirmed and only such a person is capable of receiving confirmation.

§2. To receive confirmation licitly outside the danger of death requires that a person who has the use of reason be suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew the baptismal promises.

Can. 890 The faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the proper time. Parents and pastors of souls, especially pastors of parishes, are to take care that the faithful are properly instructed to receive the sacrament and come to it at the appropriate time.

Can. 891 The sacrament of confirmation is to be conferred on the faithful at about the age of discretion unless the conference of bishops has determined another age, or there is danger of death, or in the judgment of the minister a grave cause suggests otherwise.

Can. 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion.

§2. The Most Holy Eucharist, however, can be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion reverently.

Ok. Learn something new everyday.

 

[puzzleannie]

[my first thread did not post so I’m trying this again…] My children were baptized Lutheran but I am now raising them Catholic. Do they need to be baptised again in the Catholic Church?

no, they cannot be rebaptized because Lutherans have valid baptism and as Paul says there is one baptism by which we are saved.

If they are of school age you will enroll them in Catholic school or parish religious education to help you prepare them for confession, first communion and confirmation when they are the age set by the bishop (start at least in 1st grade if possible). As part of your own reversion to the Catholic Church try to participate in any adult education classes offered, for your own confirmation if you still need it (not clear if you are already Catholic) or anything including parent classes that help you hand on the faith to your children.

Welcome home, you and your family are the heart and soul of why I do what I do. OOOOOH I love my job

it will depend on local practice in the parish or diocese whether or not they participate in RCIA as they should but in any case they will complete their Christian initiation in a timely manner.