Confused About Reception Into Church

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Ahhh okay. Thanks for explaining that…Maybe this was the logic behind omitting the Profession of Faith that baptized candidates take. Awesome.
 
But you know it’s weird…Because I thought I read one place where even if you have a Conditional Baptism, you’re also supposed to make a Profession of Faith as a Candidate (not as a part of your Conditional Baptism)…Maybe I can find that somewhere…
 
It sounds like you’ve done just enough reading to work yourself into a frenzy of doubt. Perhaps it would be more helpful to work on prayer, as in learning to trust God in his mercy and love.
 
Your conditional baptism took the place of a profession of Faith.
 
In being admitted to the Church the Credal Formula is an interrogation of the candidate rather then recitation of the Creed, be it the Nicene or Apostles Creed. So you, along with the entire congregation (at least in my Church) is asked Do you believe in God the Father , rather then the Credal recitation I believe in God the Father.

The congregation and the candidates reply I DO
The next question is about belief in Jesus and the next about belief in the Holy Spirit. The reply is always I DO.

This is an ancient Credal formula that was in existence in the Early Church in admitting Catechumens to the Catholic Church.

You might not remember this as it was a big night for you and no doubt very emotional.
 
You’re Catholic relax! 🙂 You received confirmation and communion. You’re fine. We profess our faith every mass; don’t worry.
 
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There are a number of principles at play that would basically kick in even in the event that you should have made a profession of faith and didn’t that would still cover your situation and make you a valid Catholic. Some of those have already been explained by others. The bottom line here is that you’ve been baptized (no matter which time actually counted), you’ve been confirmed, and you’ve received/are receiving the Eucharist. There’s nothing more to do in terms of official initiation; simply live out the Catholic life you’ve undertaken.
 
A friend of mine was conditionally baptised a couple of years ago. When she had gathered all the papers like birth certificate, adoption papers, the baptism certificate, it was discovered that her names and date of birth didn’t match up on all those papers. Since she was 60+ years old there wasn’t anyone around who could say that she was baptised as a baby before she was adopted. The notes in the baptism book in the parish didn’t match either. She had always seen herself as baptised but she was conditionally baptised during the Vigil.

These things happen and priests know how to act in cases like yours and my friend´s. If they don’t then they know who they should ask.
 
I’m confused by reading about these conditional baptisms. Everything I’ve read says that conditional baptism shouzld be done in private.
 
Phemie said:
I’m confused by reading about these conditional baptisms. Everything I’ve read says that conditional baptism shouzld be done in private.
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We do conditional Baptisms at the Easter Vigil.

There are cases of some dioceses (like Philadelphia) that require everyone to be conditionally baptized as a matter of precaution, and this is done privately beforehand. That’s a diocesan policy, not a universal one.
 
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I had a conditional baptism that was private but then my reception into the Catholic Church was private also because I had private instruction from the parochial vicar except when I received the Eucharist for the first time I received that coming sunday along with everyone else in the congregation.
 
Joe_5859 said:
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Phemie:
I’m confused by reading about these conditional baptisms. Everything I’ve read says that conditional baptism shouzld be done in private.
Click to expand...
We do conditional Baptisms at the Easter Vigil.

There are cases of some dioceses (like Philadelphia) that require everyone to be conditionally baptized as a matter of precaution, and this is done privately beforehand. That’s a diocesan policy, not a universal one.
Click to expand...
This is from the March 1993 document DIRECTORY FOR THE APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES AND NORMS ON ECUMENISM issued by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Article 99 (…)
d ) If, even after careful investigation, a serious doubt persists about the proper administration of the baptism and it is judged necessary to baptize conditionally, the Catholic minister should show proper regard for the doctrine that baptism may be conferred only once by explaining to the person involved, both why in this case he is baptizing conditionally and what is the significance of the rite of conditional baptism. Furthermore, the rite of conditional baptism is to be carried out in private and not in public.
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I could be wrong about this, but it would seem to me that your profession of faith provides expresses your readiness to receive the sacraments to the one conferring them as well as any witnesses, but may not be part of the actual sacrament. For example, a priest may or may not ask you to say an act of contrition prior to absolving you of your sins in confession. Even if he doesn’t, you are absolved, so long as you are contrite and he says the proper words to absolve you. Similarly, a profession of faith would signify your willingness and readiness to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, but it is not part of the sacrament itself. According to the Catechism:
The essential rite of the sacrament follows. In the Latin rite, “the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: ‘Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti’ [Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.].” In the Eastern Churches of Byzantine rite, after a prayer of epiclesis, the more significant parts of the body are anointed with myron: forehead, eyes, nose, ears, lips, chest, back, hands, and feet. Each anointing is accompanied by the formula SfragiV dwreaV PneumatoV ¢Agiou (Signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti): "the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit ."
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It seems to me that, yes, they probably should have made a point of having you make a profession of faith of some kind, even the simple statement of believing everything the Catholic Church teaches to be necessary for our salvation. But so long as the proper form was used, I would imagine that it would be valid. But yes, double check with your parish priest for your peace of mind.
 
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I think it all has to do with intent at the end of the day. Obviously you have received the sacraments. Therefore who are apart of the body of believers.
 
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Phemie said:
DIRECTORY FOR THE APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES AND NORMS ON ECUMENISM
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Thanks for finding and sharing that. Canon Law doesn’t specify that, and nothing in the RCIA text specifies that, so I wasn’t aware of it. I’ll definitely bookmark that text and share it with my pastor when the issue arises again. I have a new pastor now anyway, so maybe he already knows that.
 
Awesome. I will do just that…But now I wonder about the Act of Reception where the priest formally welcomes a candidate into the Church. It goes like:

Priest: “N., the Lord receives you into the Catholic Church. His loving kindness has led you here, so that in the unity of the Holy Spirit you may have full communion with us in the faith that you have professed in the presence of his family.”

The priest never said any of this to me during the Easter Vigil Mass…So…If my Conditional Baptism counted for my Profession of Faith…then what about this piece? Was this necessary for me, or do you think it was satisfied somehow? Just wondering.
 
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You seem to have a lot of doubts. First you say you wanted a conditional baptism because you had doubts about your original baptism. Now you have doubts about your status in the Church. Perhaps it would be best to make an appointment with your pastor so you could discuss how to deal with these doubts and find more consolation in your spiritual life.
 
Very good post.

God is not the author of confusion and doubt. When our OP begins to doubt, saying “Jesus, I trust in You!” would be a good idea.
 
The Profession of Faith is not a sacrament. Baptism and First Holy Communion are. You’ve been baptized. You’ve also received communion in the Church. You’re in. Let it go! 🙂
 
Awesome. Thanks. Btw…I have terrible OCD and scrupulosity, so that’s where the doubts are coming from…(I wish I could get my parish priest to direct me, but…He’s currently busy w/ two churches and I just don’t think he has the time, unfortunately)…I’m in therapy, so I’m receiving some direction there, but it’s been a wicked struggle. 😦 Anyone who reads this, please say a quick prayer for me!
 
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