Baptized, first communion, no confirmation

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texascatholic12

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My boyfriend has been baptized and has had his first communion but has not been confirmed.

He didn’t live in a practicing household and has learned very little about Catholicism.

He does not think he is Catholic (although he is, because he has been baptized Catholic) and he wants to learn more about Catholicism.

Should he ever decide he wants to be Catholic, would he have to go through RCIA since he has not been confirmed and has not practiced?
 
This will depend on how his parish priest assesses his needs, and upon how large a program that particular parish runs. If it is like our parish, which has a one-size-fits-all approach, then yes, your boyfriend would be placed in a full RCIA-ish program. He would not be required to be dismissed from mass, but otherwise he would have to attend all the catechism classes as someone in RCIA for real.

If your parish has several options for what classes to place him in, then it becomes more likely that your boyfriend will not be placed with the catechumens (the people who are not baptized).

It is important that your boyfriend receive the instruction and support that he needs. Your local priest will do his best to provide it, using whatever means he has at his disposal.

Sometimes you even encounter a priest who will meet one on one to give the instruction. I can’t promise you what you will encounter. It varies too much.
 
In our parish it would require RCIA. We formerly had seperate classes for adults seeking confirmation but now it will be just one group. If he has not been instructed in the faith RCIA would be the best starting place.
 
Ideally he should be catechised. Technically, RCIA is not for his circumstances. However, that being said, most parishes do not have the resources to provide the “ideal” course for every possible situation. Your boyfriend should contact the local parish priest and arrange to receive some catechism in the Catholic faith. I would suggest this includes preparation for confirmation and that he is confirmed. Because he has been absent from the practice of the faith for so long it would be appropriate for him to go to confession before he receives any other sacrament, e.g. before he receives Holy Communion again. I hope this helps!
 
If your boyfriend wants to learn more about the Catholic faith, why not go to RCIA classes with him? Most parishes like to have practicing Catholics in the classes to sponsor those who are about to enter the Church, or just to welcome and support those thinking about joining. Even though I teach religion classes, I find I often learn a lot from these kinds of classes. Then you two could discuss and study together.
 
hilde_the_dog said:
In our parish it would require RCIA. We formerly had seperate classes for adults seeking confirmation but now it will be just one group. If he has not been instructed in the faith RCIA would be the best starting place.
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RCIA is the best option. If he was was not catechized in the faith, he needs to be.

Almost every year in our parish we have someone in RCIA that was born into a Catholic family but either left the Church, was not catechized or maybe rebelled and refused to take part in anything about the faith. Last year we even had a man that was born and raised Catholic, had been Confirmed, but as an adult left the Church. He went to Confession and wanted to return to the Church. The priest suggested that he attend RCIA. He did attend the classes. He told me attending the classes was the best thing he did and it really helped in his return to the Church. He did not have to go through the Easter vigil service because he had already been Confirmed. He now says we (the RCIA team) are like family to him.
 
These are great answers, thanks everybody! I also really like the idea of attending the RCIA classes with him, it couldn’t hurt and I think it would make him happy.
 
I too was baptized, had first communion … then left for 20 some years… When I came back I did go to confession (my first one ever…at least that I can remember) . I read up on the Eucharist before I went back to communion. But I still wanted to be confirmed. I could have just met for a few classes with the religious ed teacher but my husband was converting so I went through RCIA with him. It was a good experience. I did not have to do early dismissal as I was already recieving the sacraments.

And I’m so happy to be finally confirmed!
 
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