Certificates for sacraments

[eggsbenedictine]

Not sure if this is the right thread to post in, but I’m just curious as to if receiving certificates for First Communion and Confirmation is something that is supposed to happen. Like many, I was just received into the Church this Easter Vigil. I however, did not receive these things. I remember being baptized a Protestant about 5 years ago and receiving a Baptismal certificate. Just curious. Thanks.

 

[1ke]

Commemorative certificates are not required.

Many parishes will issue them, however. Some may be issued after the fact, it takes a week or two to get everything done after Easter, particularly if there were many candidates and catechumens.

The only thing **required **is entry into the sacramental record book.

Wait a few weeks. If you haven’t received anything make a polite inquiry to your parish office. They will tell you whether or not they issue commemorative certificates.

 

[eggsbenedictine]

Commemorative certificates are not required.

Many parishes will issue them, however. Some may be issued after the fact, it takes a week or two to get everything done after Easter, particularly if there were many candidates and catechumens.

The only thing **required **is entry into the sacramental record book.

Wait a few weeks. If you haven’t received anything make a polite inquiry to your parish office. They will tell you whether or not they issue commemorative certificates.

Ok, thank you for your help. Is this sacramental record book something the particular parish will have on file indefinitely, in case I ever need any sort of proof?

 

[FrDavid96]

Ok, thank you for your help. Is this sacramental record book something the particular parish will have on file indefinitely, in case I ever need any sort of proof?

Yes. It’s a very strict requirement.

Here are a few links just to give you an idea of what they look like. Remember that these are just samples, and registers/forms at different parishes might look different, but will all have the same information.

http://www.fjremey.com/images/live/crt/crt_prod5_eng_det.jpg

Here’s how a typical Baptism register will look:
http://www.fjremey.com/images/live/rb/rb_prod1_det.jpg

 

[Isca]

We were given our certificates at the end of the Easter Vigil. It was a nice gesture.

 

[1ke]

Ok, thank you for your help. Is this sacramental record book something the particular parish will have on file indefinitely, in case I ever need any sort of proof?

Yes. This is required by Church law. It is on file permanently.

 

[phil19034]

Note: I only have a Baptismal Certificate, on the back of it it has my other Sacraments.

So you could have that too.

 

[His_helpmeet]

A commemorative certificate is usually given; however, as the PPs have stated, it’s not strictly necessary.

What IS necessary is that every important sacrament you receive be added to your baptismal certificate. This doesn’t mean that they write it on the back of the one you have; rather, it means that they send the information to the church where you were baptized and it is added to your records at that church. (By “important sacraments” here, I mean Confirmation and marriage. I’m guessing that Holy Orders would also be put on there; being a woman obviously that does not apply to me. First Communion and First Reconciliation are not typically added as they are sacraments that can be received more than once. Not that they aren’t important; rather, that they are sacraments that don’t necessarily require that a “record” be kept.)

This is why if a person wants to be confirmed, or married, he/she must produce a copy of the baptismal certificate. In the case of marriage, in particular, the baptismal certificate must have been issued within 6 months - it is necessary to determine that this individual has never been married in the Catholic Church, as this will be recorded on the baptismal certificate.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Canon 895 of the Code of Canon Law has the required recording. It is at vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P35.HTM .

 

[johnmann]

One of the most amazing things I’ve ever come across was my baptismal record, many decades later. It had my parents’ address which I was able to look up on Google Maps. I have no recollection of that home but there it was. One day, I want to go back to the old country and see how far back I can trace my family roots through Church records.

 

[Sunbreak]

I think it varies by parish. I don’t know what the practice is for adults coming into the Church. I have a baptismal certificate from when I was baptized as a baby. However, there were no certificates given for first communion or confirmation. As others have said, these things are recorded at the parish, though, and a record of the event is also sent to the archdiocese.

 

[Phemie]

I think it varies by parish. I don’t know what the practice is for adults coming into the Church. I have a baptismal certificate from when I was baptized as a baby. However, there were no certificates given for first communion or confirmation. As others have said, these things are recorded at the parish, though, and a record of the event is also sent to the archdiocese.

In our parish certificates are given for First Communion & Confirmation. First Communion is recorded but not noted in the baptismal register or on the baptismal certificate.