Can I go to Confession?

[jmcrae]

hmm, if you’re converting, I know they make u go to confession before you receive First Holy Communion.

Yes, but it will be AFTER the lesson on this in the RCIA process. They will most likely help you set up the appointment (ideally, your First Confession will take place in the context of a mini-retreat during the Lenten period - in my group, we actually did this on the Saturday morning of Easter Vigil itself - although this is less common than it should be), and they will teach you what the prayers are, etc., and the “order of service” so to speak, of what to do in Confession.

Don’t worry; they will let you take a cheat sheet in with you, the first time. After that, and with practice, you’ll soon have the whole thing memorized.

Thanks. I fully understand how much I do not understand, although I am not sure how my desire to Confess my sins and have them forgiven by God shows a lack of understanding about the Catholic faith.

It has nothing to do with what you do or don’t understand yet - it’s the fact that you have not yet been presented to the Bishop for the Call to Purification and Enlightenment. Once that has been done, you will be eligible to attend First Confession. That will most likely happen on the first weekend of Lent, having completed the first two periods of RCIA.

Your youth director is well-meaning, but non-Catholics can’t receive the Sacraments, because they are not Catholic.

 

[Corki]

If you have not yet been confirmed into the Catholic Church, you are not bound to the “obligation” to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. While you still are bound to the 3rd Commandment to keep the Lord’s Day holy, the manner of doing that (Mass attendance) is a precept of the Church. Only Catholics are bound to the precepts of the Church under penalty of sin.

There are many good reasons to start the practice of receiving the Sacrament of Confession regularly. But this isn’t one of them.

 

[jmcrae]

If the Church teaches that the Sacraments are only for those who are in Communion with the Catholic Church, then that is in and of itself enough reason for me to postpone my confession until such a time as I am eligible to do so. Until then, I will continue to pray for forgiveness.

It does. One comes into full communion with the Church by completing the RCIA process and receiving whatever Sacraments of Initiation you may be lacking at present. (In your case, you are missing Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Adults must be Confirmed before they can receive First Holy Communion, which is the reverse order from what children do.)

You will attend your First Confession during the third period of RCIA, after having been presented to the Bishop (this happens at the end of the second period of RCIA) and receiving his permission to continue into the third period of the RCIA process. (Unbaptized persons go to First Confession during the fourth period of RCIA, after they have been baptized and after coming into full communion with the Church.)

The “hinge” between the third and fourth periods of RCIA is the Rites of Initiation, which take place on the Easter Vigil.

 

[quiet52]

If you have not yet been confirmed into the Catholic Church, you are not bound to the “obligation” to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. While you still are bound to the 3rd Commandment to keep the Lord’s Day holy, the manner of doing that (Mass attendance) is a precept of the Church. Only Catholics are bound to the precepts of the Church under penalty of sin.

There are many good reasons to start the practice of receiving the Sacrament of Confession regularly. But this isn’t one of them.

When they celebrate the Rite of Welcoming, candidates for reception into the Catholic Church are acknowledging their commitment to learn and live the Catholic way of life. They are expected to attend Sunday mass.

From the *RCIA Leader’s Manual *published by the Association for Catechumenal Ministry:
*
Inquirers who have gone through the Rite of Acceptance and entered the Order of Catechumens, and inquirers who have gone through th eRite of Welcoming and becme candidates, have declared their intention to live the Christian life … through not fully initiated, they become truly the Church’s own (part of Christ’s household), and she embraces tehm as a mother (RCIA 47; see also RCIA 412). … In adition, catechumens and candidates are to “take part in celebrations of the Word of God, both those of the entire Christian assembly and those celebrations arranged special
specially for the benefit of the candidates” (RCIA 413) … Once the Rite of Welcoming has been celebrated, (candidates) have been "formally welcomed into the life of the community [and now begin] regularly attending Sunday Eucharist " (RCIA 413). *

 

[palmas85]

A note re: someone’s comment about “Dismissal” during mass. This only applies to the catechumens (unbaptized) after their Rite of Acceptance. When the catechumens attend mass, they are dismissed (with kindness) after the homily but stay together (and with an RCIA leader) to “break open the Word” and reflect together.

Candidates (the baptized) may join the catechumens after Dismissal to share about the Word together, but candidates, being baptized, are still expected to attend an entire mass every Sunday – which means that if they are to join the catechumens after dismissal, they’d need to attend another mass in its entirety.

I believe that refers to those baptized into the Catholic faith itself, not those baptized into another denomination.

 

[palmas85]

Thanks. I fully understand how much I do not understand, although I am not sure how my desire to Confess my sins and have them forgiven by God shows a lack of understanding about the Catholic faith. . I did not mean to give the impression that my baptism in any way entitled me to participate in the sacraments: I only mentioned it to show that I am part of the greater Christian community, and to answer the question of another poster. If the Church teaches that the Sacraments are only for those who are in Communion with the Catholic Church, then that is in and of itself enough reason for me to postpone my confession until such a time as I am eligible to do so.
I recognize that you did not mean any disrespect, but I am a little bothered by your implication that I’m being rather flippant about this whole thing: I assure you, I am not, and if I appear to be, it is certainly not because I do not understand the gravity of Church tradition… If you can somehow help me appreciate my “lack of understanding of the sheer depth of the Catholic faith”, and come to know it better, I would thank you. Even knowing what I do not know would help. But simply being told that I don’t understand, that I’m not a Catholic, and that Catholicism is very complex does not help me at all; I know these things, thats why I’m posting on this forum.

However, on a purely academic note, I am curious about your statement. Truly, I have not been properly catechized and therefor do not understand the Sacraments as a Catholic does, but in what sense do you mean “In Communion with the Catholic Church?” I was under the impression that before someone could partake of First Holy Communion, they had to go to Confession (or, at the very least, that it was encouraged strongly). Thus, in what sense are they in Communion with the Catholic Church? By virtue of baptism? I could, of course, be wrong about the order of this, as I haven’t been properly catechized, but your objection makes me wonder about the issue. I had a similar question about the requirement of RCIA candidates to confess before receiving confirmation and the Eucharist at Easter Vigil, but I think that was (somewhat) satisfactorily answered here:
Academic curiosity asside, it seems that the general consensus here is that the Church teaches that I should not go to Confession, at least not until I have been properly catechized. I can’t say that I disagree, although I am of course disappointed. If anyone has any advice for me in the meantime, it would be greatly appreciated.

This is a technical area so here goes. The unbaptized in the RCIA process including those whose baptisms are considered invalid by the Catholic Church will be baptized usually at the Easter Vigil. This will be followed almost immediately by the Confirmation. Then, they will receive Holy Communion, as their Baptism has washed away the stain of original sin PLUS any sins, mortal or venial that they may have committed in their lives up to that point.

Those validly baptized, either as Catholics or some other accepted Christian church going through the RCIA process will be afforded the opportunity to confess prior to Confirmation and First Holy Communion. That would include you more than likely. Your enrolling and participating in the RCIA process is accepted as proof of your desire and commitment to be one with the Church whereas your desire to confess probably would not in and of itself.

I tend to be rather brusque on these boards as unlike some of my friends here, I don’t believe that extending charity should include ignoring serious faults and sinful activity in others. If I came across to you in a rude fashion I apologize.

Actually, I am very proud of you and think that many practicing Catholics could learn from your example. You remind me somewhat of a co-worker of mine. He had practiced Catholicism all of his life, yet had never been baptized into any faith. He had never received communion or any of the other sacraments for that matter but faithfully attended Mass and maintained devotions to the Blessed Mother and the Saints. In his case his entry into the Church came about when he was 49 years old and he felt that as a lifelong practicioner of the faith that he should be exempted from the RCIA process as he felt that he was already Catholic. His Parish Priest told in in no uncertain terms that not only was he not Catholic but not even Christian due to never having been baptized.

Even I thought that was harsh, until I realized that the Priest was 100% correct as baptism is an absolute necessity.

Please keep us posted on your journey. Seeing people such as you coming in is a beautiful sight.

 

[cargopilot]

…You remind me somewhat of a co-worker of mine. He had practiced Catholicism all of his life, yet had never been baptized into any faith. He had never received communion or any of the other sacraments for that matter but faithfully attended Mass and maintained devotions to the Blessed Mother and the Saints. In his case his entry into the Church came about when he was 49 years old and he felt that as a lifelong practicioner of the faith that he should be exempted from the RCIA process as he felt that he was already Catholic. His Parish Priest told in in no uncertain terms that not only was he not Catholic but not even Christian due to never having been baptized.

Even I thought that was harsh, until I realized that the Priest was 100% correct as baptism is an absolute necessity.

The Priest was 100% correct…or was he?

**VI. **The Necessity of Baptism
1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.59 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.60 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.61 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
1258 The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.
1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.
1260 "Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery."62 Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity.
1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"63 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church’s call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

 

[mercygate]

I believe that refers to those baptized into the Catholic faith itself, not those baptized into another denomination.

No. A validly baptized Christian is not dismissed. This guy is not a Catechumen, he is a Candidate. He’s one of “us” he’s just not all the way home yet.

 

[mercygate]

Kylar,

With your intensity and committment to the magnificent Sacramenat of Confession, I strongly advise you to set yourself up very well for receiving this sacrament when the time comes.

A general confession may not be anybody’s favorite sport, but I, too, was almost eager for it and prepared in prayer for 6 months – although the Boss told me not to begin my examen until 16 hours before my appointment: I wrote virtually non-stop from 10:30 a.m. the day before until 2:10 p.m. the day of my confession. I had arranged to spend a week in total silence and solitude in a hermitage, where the Desert Father knew what I was there for.

I spent 2 hours with him, and when I finished my confession, he asked, “How did you DO that?” – to which my answer was, “I asked Him to do it for me.”

Godspeed my brother. You will learn much patience, obedience and humility in going through the RCIA process. Savor these days. The hunger IS the gift!

 

[jmcrae]

The Priest was 100% correct…or was he?

Nobody who is still alive can claim “baptism of desire.” It only applies to people who died without ever having the opportunity to go to RCIA, because they never heard of it, or because it was physically impossible for them to attend. (There are people in Africa who walk two days there and two days back to get to their RCIA classes, and they have perfect attendance. This opens up the definition of “physically possible” somewhat, since these people will be standing there at the Judgement Day, too, listening to the excuses of some North Americans who “couldn’t” get to RCIA because they had to watch their TV show, or because it was too sunny out and they had to go to a barbecue, or etc.)

Of couse, there is nobody like that on these Forums - all of us here are “total keeners” as the kids would say.

 

[palmas85]

No. A validly baptized Christian is not dismissed. This guy is not a Catechumen, he is a Candidate. He’s one of “us” he’s just not all the way home yet.

So then do you believe it is OK for such a person to receive Holy Communion?

 

[mercygate]

So then do you believe it is OK for such a person to receive Holy Communion?

No. Converts must be confirmed before receiving Communion.

Go figure. An eight year old Catholic can receive Communion but a well catechized adult Christian (like me: I was trained as an Episcopal Priest) has to wait for Confirmation. I call it irrational. But dems da rules.

 

[jmcrae]

No. Converts must be confirmed before receiving Communion.

Go figure. An eight year old Catholic can receive Communion but a well catechized adult Christian (like me: I was trained as an Episcopal Priest) has to wait for Confirmation. I call it irrational. But dems da rules.

Yep, dat dey are.

As time goes on,the reasons will become more clear. In the mean time, welcome to the journey!! Receive the opportunity to be humbled and purified with a grateful heart, because, although it doesn’t seem like it right now, this is a gift.

I remember when I was first taught to cross my arms to receive a blessing, and I was the only adult in the whole place doing so - everyone else doing this was under the age of six. I realized at that moment that I had the choice to feel offended that I was being treated like a six year old, or honoured to be counted among the company of God’s favourites - the littlest children.

It was a purifying moment, for me.

 

[palmas85]

No. Converts must be confirmed before receiving Communion.

Go figure. An eight year old Catholic can receive Communion but a well catechized adult Christian (like me: I was trained as an Episcopal Priest) has to wait for Confirmation. I call it irrational. But dems da rules.

OK , since the reason the Catechumans are dismissed is twofold in nature, one being that they cannot yet receive Holy Communion, why are those baptized into another denomination not required to leave as well? They cannot receive Holy Communion either.

 

[mercygate]

OK , since the reason the Catechumans are dismissed is twofold in nature, one being that they cannot yet receive Holy Communion, why are those baptized into another denomination not required to leave as well? They cannot receive Holy Communion either.

Don’t ask me. I didn’t say that Catechumens leave because they can’t receive Communion.

Two thirds of the people in the pews shouldn’t be receiving either but they don’t leave.

Go take up your quarrel with the RCIA process, which to my mind is a highly unsuccessful revival of a process that died a righteous death with the widespread adoption of Christianity and should not have been resuscitated. Witness the confusion it produces.

 

[palmas85]

Don’t ask me. I didn’t say that Catechumens leave because they can’t receive Communion.

Two thirds of the people in the pews shouldn’t be receiving either but they don’t leave.

Go take up your quarrel with the RCIA process, which to my mind is a highly unsuccessful revival of a process that died a righteous death with the widespread adoption of Christianity and should not have been resuscitated. Witness the confusion it produces.

I don’t have a quarrel at all. I’m just asking a question. No need to get testy. I know you didn’t say catechumans leave because they can’t receive Holy Communion. I did. It is part of the reason for the dismissal in the first place. I agree with you that the RCIA process is basically unsuccessful. I would also argue that by accepting any non Catholic baptisms as valid the Church has painted itself into a highly controversial corner from which there is no easy exit and few if any easy answers

 

[jmcrae]

According to the Rite itself, Candidates may leave with the Catechumens if they wish to.

No one is required to attend Sunday Mass until after receiving First Holy Communion.

(As far as I can tell, it seems as though this also applies to children who are Catholic, but who have not yet received First Holy Communion, which is why it is okay to leave small children home with a babysitter when the parents go to Mass, even though they have already been baptized.)

 

[mercygate]

I don’t have a quarrel at all. I’m just asking a question. No need to get testy. I know you didn’t say catechumans leave because they can’t receive Holy Communion. I did. It is part of the reason for the dismissal in the first place. I agree with you that the RCIA process is basically unsuccessful. I would also argue that by accepting any non Catholic baptisms as valid the Church has painted itself into a highly controversial corner from which there is no easy exit and few if any easy answers

Sorry if I came off as testy – I know you pretty well, and thought would would see that the underlying aggro wasn’t directed at you.

I see no essential problem with accepting Protestant baptisms – except that for the past 30 years those denominations whose baptisms have been deemed valid have had many individual 'practitioners" who have baptized “in the name of the creator, redeemer & sanctifier” – God help us. If I were a Catholic priest today, I would conditionally baptize everybody under the age of 50 who sought to become Catholic.

 

[jmcrae]

Sorry if I came off as testy – I know you pretty well, and thought would would see that the underlying aggro wasn’t directed at you.

I see no essential problem with accepting Protestant baptisms – except that for the past 30 years those denominations whose baptisms have been deemed valid have had many individual 'practitioners" who have baptized “in the name of the creator, redeemer & sanctifier” – God help us. If I were a Catholic priest today, I would conditionally baptize everybody under the age of 50 who sought to become Catholic.

This is why a certificate of Baptism is required for everyone who claims to have been previously baptized.

It will say on the certificate which formula was used, and if the person was invalidly baptized, and doesn’t recall any other time when he might have been baptized (such as at a Baptist VBS, etc.) then he would be considered unbaptized.

But, yes, if we were only going on the say-so of the person, it would be more prudent to conditionally baptize everybody.

 

[LekeYuk]

The general consensus on this board is correct, you cannot yet go to confession. However it is surprising but nobody has mentioned yet that you can and should make an Act of
Perfect Contrition. In fact even for us Catholics any time we commit grave sin we should make this act before we have a chance to go to confession.

Here is a good article on it:
sxws.com/charis/catechism12.htm

An actual act of contrition is not included in there so here is the one I make:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, known and unknown, not only because I dread the loss of heaven and dread the pains of hell, and not only because Thou art my Creator, my Redeemer and my Sanctifier, but most of all because my sins have offended Thee, my God, Who art all good in Thyself and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen