Confirmation for an Existing Christian

[DigitalAnarchy]

Hi all!

I had a few questions about the RCIA and confirmation. From what I’ve read, since I was baptized in the evangelical church and I’ve been a Christian for most of my life, I wouldn’t have to go through the full RCIA process? Also, I’ve read quite a bit about Catholicism and have gone to Mass for months. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I have a pretty good grasp of the basics and fundamentals of Catholicism.

Also, since I’ve already been baptized I wouldn’t be confirmed at Easter correct?

I understand that a lot of this will depend on what the church I go to decides upon.

I’m planning on talking with a priest either this week or next depending on my work schedule.

Thank you all for your answers!

 

[Trishie]

Hi, I don’t know all that much about the process regarding such specifics, but seeing the priest is a good idea for clarifying everything. All the best for your appointment with him!
I just want to say I’m delighted at your intentions, and for the graces you’ve been given, and will keep you in my prayers.

God bless you…Trishie

 

[LilyM]

Well, assuming your baptism was under a Trinitarian formula (‘Father, Son and Holy Spirit’) then you certainly won’t need to be baptised at Easter. That may shorten the RCIA that you’d need to go through.

However, you WOULD need to receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. You wouldn’t receive the first of the three sacraments of initiation, the sacrament of baptism, is all.

 

[BrianStacy]

LilyM…

He would also have to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before all these things.

From what my deacon has told me, I have to go through all of the RCIA process even though I am a baptized Christian. Not sure why, but it may vary by parish and individual.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi all!

I had a few questions about the RCIA and confirmation. From what I’ve read, since I was baptized in the evangelical church and I’ve been a Christian for most of my life, I wouldn’t have to go through the full RCIA process? Also, I’ve read quite a bit about Catholicism and have gone to Mass for months. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I have a pretty good grasp of the basics and fundamentals of Catholicism.

Also, since I’ve already been baptized I wouldn’t be confirmed at Easter correct?

I understand that a lot of this will depend on what the church I go to decides upon.

I’m planning on talking with a priest either this week or next depending on my work schedule.

Thank you all for your answers!

Also, since I’ve already been baptized I wouldn’t be confirmed at Easter correct?

As a Baptized Candidate you should be Confirmed at some other time, before or after Easter Vigil.

I understand that a lot of this will depend on what the church I go to decides upon.

Unfortunately, not all parishes follow the Rite. That is correct.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi all!

I had a few questions about the RCIA and confirmation. From what I’ve read, since I was baptized in the evangelical church and I’ve been a Christian for most of my life, I wouldn’t have to go through the full RCIA process? Also, I’ve read quite a bit about Catholicism and have gone to Mass for months. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I have a pretty good grasp of the basics and fundamentals of Catholicism.

Also, since I’ve already been baptized I wouldn’t be confirmed at Easter correct?

I understand that a lot of this will depend on what the church I go to decides upon.

I’m planning on talking with a priest either this week or next depending on my work schedule.

Thank you all for your answers!

Also, since I’ve already been baptized I wouldn’t be confirmed at Easter correct?

As a Baptized Candidate you should be Confirmed at some other time, before or after Easter Vigil.

I understand that a lot of this will depend on what the church I go to decides upon.

Unfortunately, not all parishes follow the Rite. That is correct.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi all!

I had a few questions about the RCIA and confirmation. From what I’ve read, since I was baptized in the evangelical church and I’ve been a Christian for most of my life, I wouldn’t have to go through the full RCIA process? Also, I’ve read quite a bit about Catholicism and have gone to Mass for months. I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I have a pretty good grasp of the basics and fundamentals of Catholicism.

Also, since I’ve already been baptized I wouldn’t be confirmed at Easter correct?

I understand that a lot of this will depend on what the church I go to decides upon.

I’m planning on talking with a priest either this week or next depending on my work schedule.

Thank you all for your answers!

you are taking the right first step, speaking with the priest. Yes the RCIA does have a provision for preparing baptized Christians to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. What is required that you know enough to make an intelligent profession of faith, to make a good examination of conscience and general confession of sins before reception, that you understand Catholic teaching and practice and the demands and changes this will mean for your life, that you know and accept the Catholic teaching on the sacraments especially the Eucharist. You will be received into the Church through Confirmation and First Communion at the same time. Depending on how your bishop and pastor do things, this may be at Easter, after the catechumens have been baptized, or it may be at another time appointed by the bishop.

Easter is not the ideal but may be, for logistical reasons rather than theological “the way they do it here.” There are various minor rites for the catechumens during their preparation process, and if your parish has you participating in a class with them, you may celebrate a parallel rite that acknowledges your status as baptized, at the same time.

Welcome home!

Even if you find out that “the way they do it here” is to ask you to participate in a class that includes adult Catholics preparing for Confirmation (who often don’t know even as much as you do now), unbaptized, and other Christians like yourself, please do so humbly and in the spirit of sharing your gifts with others. We can always learn more, and the community building that occurs in these settings if valuable for the candidates and the parish itself.

 

[DigitalAnarchy]

Thank you all for your answers! Now I have a better idea of what I’ll be going through.

I just called the local parish and left a message for the priest that I’ll be talking to, he’s out on retreat apparently until the 26th, so I should hear from him next week!