Confirmation brings one into full communion, right?

[Avery77]

I thought that when a candidate gets confirmed, they immediately receive the Eucharist as part of the Confirmation rite, because confirmation signals full communion with the Church and its teachings. But now I’m not so sure.

I was told that my divorce doesn’t stand in the way of confirmation (no re-marriage), so Easter Vigil is when I’ll be confirmed, but I’m still “looking for full communion”… I didn’t think anything of it when I first heard it, but now I’m worried. Does this mean I’ll be confirmed without receiving the Eucharist?

 

[1ke]

Baptized individuals are received into full communion via a Profession of Faith and Confirmation. Once received into the Church, yes you also receive the Eucharist.

If there is an impediment to reception into the Church, that needs to be dealt with before Confirmation. Clearly there is no impediment if you are being Confirmed.

I have no idea what was meant by the comment on “still seeking full communion.” That doens’t make sense. You need to ask the person who said it what they meant.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I thought that when a candidate gets confirmed, they immediately receive the Eucharist as part of the Confirmation rite, because confirmation signals full communion with the Church and its teachings. But now I’m not so sure.

I was told that my divorce doesn’t stand in the way of confirmation (no re-marriage), so Easter Vigil is when I’ll be confirmed, but I’m still “looking for full communion”… I didn’t think anything of it when I first heard it, but now I’m worried. Does this mean I’ll be confirmed without receiving the Eucharist?

Technically no, Confirmation completes the process started in Baptism. However it is look at as receiving the three Sacraments of Initiation that brings one into FULL communion with the Church (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion)

A Civil divorce without any attempt at another Marriage does not prevent a person from full union with the Church or receiving Holy Communion.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Full communion with the church requires an adult live the teachings of the church, submit to the authority of the church. The latter requires one to achieve certain sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation). In children the sacraments can be separated in time as baptism ASAP, Eucharist after learning the teaching, reconciliation before the Eucharist but tied to the Eucharist. Confirmation is a floating sacrament because it requires age of reason, so it can occur before or after the Eucharist/Reconciliation pair. Now adults typically receive all of those sacraments at once (canon 866? I did not look it up). So an adult is typically in full communion when received at the Easter Vigil.

Hope that explains it

 

[Avery77]

All the replies have been very helpful. Thanks guys :thankyou:

 

[jmcrae]

I thought that when a candidate gets confirmed, they immediately receive the Eucharist as part of the Confirmation rite, because confirmation signals full communion with the Church and its teachings. But now I’m not so sure.

I was told that my divorce doesn’t stand in the way of confirmation (no re-marriage), so Easter Vigil is when I’ll be confirmed, but I’m still “looking for full communion”… I didn’t think anything of it when I first heard it, but now I’m worried. Does this mean I’ll be confirmed without receiving the Eucharist?

If you were barred from the Sacraments, you would be barred from all of them. It wouldn’t make any sense to allow you to be Confirmed, without also allowing you to receive First Holy Communion.

I have no idea what someone said to you, or what they may have meant by it, but please take it up with your RCIA instructor and with the priest who will be bringing you into the Church. I am sure they will both reassure you that everything is fine.

 

[quiet52]

I’m wondering if the phrase “full communion” is being confused with “fully-initiated.”

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are the three sacraments of initiation. You will be fully-initiated when you’ve received all three sacraments.

Since you are already baptized, you need to go to confession (sacrament of Reconciliation) before Easter. You need to be in a state of grace when you’re confirmed and receive first Eucharist. Right now, if you are already Catholic, you are a “candidate for the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist.” If you are not yet Catholic, you are a “candidate for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.”

On Easter, there will be a brief rite during the Mass called the “Act of Reception,” in which you are received into the Church, and you will be in full communion. Then you will be confirmed. Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins, during which you will receive your first Holy Communion. Then you will be fully-initiated. Then you’ll go out and preach the Word of God through word and action and bring others into (or back to) the Church.

 

[Brendan]

Confirmation is a floating sacrament because it requires age of reason, so it can occur before or after the Eucharist/Reconciliation pair.

FYI, Confirmation does NOT necessarily require the use of Reason. Eastern Catholics Confirm at the same time as they Baptize.

Also, in danger of death, a priest attending a small child is to Confirm as well as Baptize ( my cousin was confirmed at 2 mons old)

Under normal circumstance within the Latin Rite, yes the age of reason is required for licity (though not validity) but not always.

See Canons 889-2 and 891

 

[stpetric]

I thought that when a candidate gets confirmed, they immediately receive the Eucharist as part of the Confirmation rite, because confirmation signals full communion with the Church and its teachings. But now I’m not so sure.

I was told that my divorce doesn’t stand in the way of confirmation (no re-marriage), so Easter Vigil is when I’ll be confirmed, but I’m still “looking for full communion”… I didn’t think anything of it when I first heard it, but now I’m worried. Does this mean I’ll be confirmed without receiving the Eucharist?

When I “came over” a few years ago, the priest who received me applied the chrism, said the prayer, and then said to me sotta voce “you’re now as Catholic as the pope!”

Unless there’s some specific impediment to your receiving communion, someone as Catholic as the pope should be able to receive the Blessed Sacrament in the very same liturgy.

Glad to have you among us!

 

[diggerdomer]

I’m wondering if the phrase “full communion” is being confused with “fully-initiated.”

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are the three sacraments of initiation. You will be fully-initiated when you’ve received all three sacraments.

Since you are already baptized, you need to go to confession (sacrament of Reconciliation) before Easter. You need to be in a state of grace when you’re confirmed and receive first Eucharist. Right now, if you are already Catholic, you are a “candidate for the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist.” If you are not yet Catholic, you are a “candidate for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.”

On Easter, there will be a brief rite during the Mass called the “Act of Reception,” in which you are received into the Church, and you will be in full communion. Then you will be confirmed. Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins, during which you will receive your first Holy Communion. Then you will be fully-initiated. Then you’ll go out and preach the Word of God through word and action and bring others into (or back to) the Church.

It would help if we knew for sure if this question was being asked concerning a baptized Catholic or a baptized non-Catholic.

For a baptized non-Catholic, there is no requirement to celebrate Reconciliation prior to celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist. Such a person may be initiated into full communion any time (and in some respects it’s preferable to not celebrate at the Easter Vigil).

For a baptized Catholic, Eucharist (first communion) can be received any time the parish/pastor decides. Confirmation would typically follow, celebrated by the Bishop or his duly authorized delegate. There is no reason to have any of these celebrations occur during the Triduum, and for the most part there are good reasons to avoid such.

 

[jmcrae]

For a baptized non-Catholic, there is no requirement to celebrate Reconciliation prior to celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist.

This assumes that they have no mortal sins to confess. But it is not a requirement for anyone to go to Confession, if they have no sins to confess. There is nothing particularly special about baptized non-Catholics in this regard.

However, an opportunity to go to Confession should be provided for everyone who is receiving any of the Sacraments of the living, since we cannot enjoy the graces of these Sacraments if we are not, ourselves, in a state of grace.

 

[AHapka]

From what I understand, you can receive Confirmation in a state of mortal sin. You just don’t get the graces from it until you are in a state of grace.

Of course, the Eucharist cannot be received in a state of grace.

 

[diggerdomer]

This assumes that they have no mortal sins to confess. But it is not a requirement for anyone to go to Confession, if they have no sins to confess. There is nothing particularly special about baptized non-Catholics in this regard.

However, an opportunity to go to Confession should be provided for everyone who is receiving any of the Sacraments of the living, since we cannot enjoy the graces of these Sacraments if we are not, ourselves, in a state of grace.

Yes, of course I was assuming they have no mortal sins to confess, otherwise I would have stated what I typed differently.

There is something special about non-Cathoics, because current Catholic teaching pretty much requires “first Reconciliation” before first Communion, regardless of any instance of mortal (or other) sins needing to be confessed.

 

[jmcrae]

Yes, of course I was assuming they have no mortal sins to confess, otherwise I would have stated what I typed differently.

There is something special about non-Cathoics, because current Catholic teaching pretty much requires “first Reconciliation” before first Communion, regardless of any instance of mortal (or other) sins needing to be confessed.

I’m not sure how it’s “different” for baptized non-Catholics.

When I was brought into the Church, we made our Profession of Faith and then went to First Confession, before going to the Easter Vigil. We then repeated our Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil, but the one that “counted” for becoming Catholic was the one we did in the morning, before First Confession.

As far as I know, baptized non-Catholics are expected to go to Confession before they receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion. If an appointment isn’t set for them by the RCIA leaders, they are expected to set their own appointments. I assume they make their Profession of Faith at an RCIA meeting prior to when they are expected to be going for First Confession.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

For a baptized non-Catholic, there is no requirement to celebrate Reconciliation prior to celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist. Such a person may be initiated into full communion any time (and in some respects it’s preferable to not celebrate at the Easter Vigil).

Someone who is baptized (either Catholic or in some other Christian community) goes to confession before receiving First Eucharist.

 

[diggerdomer]

Someone who is baptized (either Catholic or in some other Christian community) goes to confession before receiving First Eucharist.

Thanks for your opinion.

Can you show us where in Church teaching or practice it’s required for a non-Catholic Christian being received into full communion of the Catholic Church to celebrate Reconciliation prior to Eucharist?

Thanks for the clarification when you have a chance.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

FYI, Confirmation does NOT necessarily require the use of Reason. Eastern Catholics Confirm at the same time as they Baptize.

Also, in danger of death, a priest attending a small child is to Confirm as well as Baptize ( my cousin was confirmed at 2 mons old)

Under normal circumstance within the Latin Rite, yes the age of reason is required for licity (though not validity) but not always.

See Canons 889-2 and 891

*Can. 879 The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.

CHAPTER III.

THOSE TO BE CONFIRMED

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.

Are we noting exceptions, or using such as common practice?

 

[diggerdomer]

Can. 879 The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.

CHAPTER III.

THOSE TO BE CONFIRMED

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.

Are we noting exceptions, or using such as common practice?

There are some competing issues here.

The Code of Canon Law cited applies to Roman (Latin) Catholics, not Eastern Catholics.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Thanks for your opinion.

Can you show us where in Church teaching or practice it’s required for a non-Catholic Christian being received into full communion of the Catholic Church to celebrate Reconciliation prior to Eucharist?

Thanks for the clarification when you have a chance.

That is the standard interpetation of 916

*Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord **without previous sacramental confession *unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

 

[Aramis]

Can. 879 The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.

CHAPTER III.

THOSE TO BE CONFIRMED

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.

Are we noting exceptions, or using such as common practice?

That is the common practice in the Roman Church. The 22 other Churches united to the Pope have a different code of Canon Law, which specifically permits and normalizes infants being confirmed.

CCEO Canon 695

1. Chrismation with holy myron must be administered in conjunction with baptism, except in a case of true necessity, in which case, however, it is to be seen that it is administered as soon as possible.
2. If the celebration of chrismation with holy myron is not done together with baptism, the minister is obliged to notify the pastor of the place where the baptism was administered.

CCEO Canon 697

Sacramental initiation in the mystery of salvation is perfected in the reception of the Divine Eucharist, and thus the Divine Eucharist is administered after baptism and chrismation with holy myron as soon as possible according to the norms of the particular law of the each Church sui iuris.