Having been baptized and recieved First Communion as a Catholic, and then confirmed in another tradition, can I still partake of the Eucharist at an R

[searleca]

Hello,

I was baptized and received first communion in the Catholic Church, but was confirmed in an Anglican church. Following a moral failure in our local parish that led to the dissolution of said Anglican church, I have begun attending daily mass at a local Catholic church. I have not, however, partaken of Christ’s body and blood there. What I’m wondering is this: is it permissible for me as baptized, first-communed person, to partake of the Eucharist?

If you’re wondering, I do believe wholeheartedly in Transubstantiation.

Be gentle, please.

Shalom,

Connor

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Hi Connor,

It sounds like you left the Catholic Church for a time. Is that correct? If so, you need to go to Confession to a Catholic priest, bring this up, and receive absolution before receiving the Eucharist. You should mention to the priest that you haven’t been going to Mass on Sundays, and any serious sins you’ve committed since your last (first?) Confession. You also need to accept 100% of the Church’s teachings, not just those on Transubstantiation. If you’re not ready to do these things, then you shouldn’t receive the Eucharist, but you may certainly attend Mass and otherwise participate.

May God give you all the graces you need,
AO

 

[1ke]

Hello,

I was baptized and received first communion in the Catholic Church, but was confirmed in an Anglican church. Following a moral failure in our local parish that led to the dissolution of said Anglican church, I have begun attending daily mass at a local Catholic church. I have not, however, partaken of Christ’s body and blood there. What I’m wondering is this: is it permissible for me as baptized, first-communed person, to partake of the Eucharist?

If you’re wondering, I do believe wholeheartedly in Transubstantiation.

Be gentle, please.

Shalom,

Connor

Talk to your Catholic pastor. Tell him what you’ve told us, he’ll guide you through confession and resumption of communion. You should also discuss completing your sacraments with him-- Confirmation. You also don’t mention your age or marital status-- also something to discuss with the pastor if you married while away from the Church.

God bless.

 

[searleca]

Thank you both for your responses.

You are right to assume I’ve been away from a while. My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church. When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the ACNA.

I am married, which is honestly the biggest thing holding me back. If I was single I would likely return to fellowship with the church in a heartbeat, but I cannot with a clean conscience return fully unless my wife comes with me; I don’t know that she will. I can bear the backlash from my family easily enough, but she is so close with hers that their response to her conversion would be devastating. I suppose we shall see how things play out.

 

[Peter_J]

Hi Connor. Generally I’m of the opinion that someone who has left the Catholic Church ought not to receive (even if the standard conditions for a non-Catholic receiving are met).

But reading your second post, I note that it was your parents decision to leave TCC, not yours. I believe that must be taken into consideration. In any case, talking to your local priest is far more important than talking to me or anyone online. Please let us know what happens.

 

[Catholic1954]

Thank you both for your responses.

You are right to assume I’ve been away from a while. My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church. When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the ACNA.

I am married, which is honestly the biggest thing holding me back. If I was single I would likely return to fellowship with the church in a heartbeat, but I cannot with a clean conscience return fully unless my wife comes with me; I don’t know that she will. I can bear the backlash from my family easily enough, but she is so close with hers that their response to her conversion would be devastating. I suppose we shall see how things play out.

Please make an appointment with a wise and holy priest to discuss your return to the Catholic Church; he will be in the best position to help you. Your wife may need more time, but don’t let that stop you from coming back.

 

[1ke]

Thank you both for your responses.

You are right to assume I’ve been away from a while. My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church. When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the ACNA.

I am married, which is honestly the biggest thing holding me back. If I was single I would likely return to fellowship with the church in a heartbeat, but I cannot with a clean conscience return fully unless my wife comes with me; I don’t know that she will. I can bear the backlash from my family easily enough, but she is so close with hers that their response to her conversion would be devastating. I suppose we shall see how things play out.

There is no expectation on the part of the Catholic Church that your wife convert.

Please talk to your local Catholic pastor. I am sure he will be able to counsel you better than strangers on the internet!

 

[johnnyc176]

Thank you both for your responses.

You are right to assume I’ve been away from a while. My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church. When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the ACNA.

I am married, which is honestly the biggest thing holding me back. If I was single I would likely return to fellowship with the church in a heartbeat, but I cannot with a clean conscience return fully unless my wife comes with me; I don’t know that she will. I can bear the backlash from my family easily enough, but she is so close with hers that their response to her conversion would be devastating. I suppose we shall see how things play out.

There are many instances where one spouse converted before the other and the trials endured. Perhaps reading some conversion stories on the Coming Home Network you will find some that are close to your situation…

chnetwork.org/

Also a very good book that deals with one spouse converting before the other is Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn.

 

[Casilda]

Thank you both for your responses.

You are right to assume I’ve been away from a while. My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church. When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the ACNA.

I am married, which is honestly the biggest thing holding me back. If I was single I would likely return to fellowship with the church in a heartbeat, but I cannot with a clean conscience return fully unless my wife comes with me; I don’t know that she will. I can bear the backlash from my family easily enough, but she is so close with hers that their response to her conversion would be devastating. I suppose we shall see how things play out.

That is my story. It was long, long ago. (Parents left in 1969.) I ‘returned’ to the Catholic faith via a detour WITH my husband through Eastern Orthodoxy. I was never confirmed and married into my husband’s Protestant church (by an ex-Catholic turned Protestant pastor!). Fast forward 30-odd years, the local diocese did not know how to deal with our case, since my husband now wanted to be Catholic (we have only ever been married to each other, no other marriages). An Eastern Catholic priest sorted it out and received my husband into the Maronite tradition and I, as his spouse was allowed to transfer. I was confirmed, our marriage was convalidated.

Do talk to a priest, not office staff or a Deacon. The only one that can help you is a merciful priest. I finally found one. I pray you find one, too.

 

[St_Francis]

Hi Connor. Generally I’m of the opinion that someone who has left the Catholic Church ought not to receive (even if the standard conditions for a non-Catholic receiving are met).

What! Are you saying you believe that someone who leaves the Church as an adult should never receive again? Why would you be more strict than the Church is?

But reading your second post, I note that it was your parents decision to leave TCC, not yours. I believe that must be taken into consideration. In any case, talking to your local priest is far more important than talking to me or anyone online. Please let us know what happens.

 

[Peter_J]

Perhaps I am being more strict than the Church is, but I don’t think so.

I realize canon law allows for intercommunion in certain circumstances (“If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.”), but it seems to me that having been Catholic and then left would be a further impediment, so that such a person would need to reconcile with the RCC before receiving.

Just giving my thoughts on the matters … although they’re a bit off-topic, since in the OP’s case he did not actually choose to leave Catholicism at age 8 when his whole family left.

 

[thistle]

Hello,

I was baptized and received first communion in the Catholic Church, but was confirmed in an Anglican church. Following a moral failure in our local parish that led to the dissolution of said Anglican church, I have begun attending daily mass at a local Catholic church. I have not, however, partaken of Christ’s body and blood there. What I’m wondering is this: is it permissible for me as baptized, first-communed person, to partake of the Eucharist?

If you’re wondering, I do believe wholeheartedly in Transubstantiation.

Be gentle, please.

Shalom,

Connor

As the others have said you need to go to Confession.

On the point of Confirmation I would not think that is valid and you would need to be confirmed in the Church. Confirmation can only be done by validly ordained bishops, sometimes delegated to priests. Anglicans do not have validly ordained bishops/priests.

 

[steve_b]

My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church.

Thus what happened as a result was not your fault.
s:

When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the *ACNA. *

go deeper
s:

I am married, which is honestly the biggest thing holding me back. If I was single I would likely return to fellowship with the church in a heartbeat, but I cannot with a clean conscience return fully unless my wife comes with me; I don’t know that she will.

Consider the following

Mt 10:35 “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.”

It ain’t pretty, but Jesus will set family members who follow and obey Him against those who follow human traditions.
s:

I can bear the backlash from my family easily enough, but she is so close with hers that their response to her conversion would be devastating. I suppose we shall see how things play out.

All any of us can do is give truth to people, even if we know thy will reject it outright, we still give the information anyway

The following link shows Heb 10: and the importance of the Mass / Eucharist. And to your previous point, the scripture states *

"after receiving the knowledge of the truth,"*
IOW, **once **a person knows the truth, ,#[32 (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=13003872&postcount=32) ,(as this scripture says) **then **

• they are no longer ignorant of what they need to know.
• they are NOW responsible for obeying this directive. It doesn’t matter that they disagree with the directive.
• By NOT following this direction, the consequences are now on them as a result of their knowledge

,#[32 (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=13003872&postcount=32) ,

Always do what’s right. Don’t compromise truth. Go to confession, live the faith, and don’t miss mass

 

[St_Francis]

Perhaps I am being more strict than the Church is, but I don’t think so.

I realize canon law allows for intercommunion in certain circumstances (“If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.”), but it seems to me that having been Catholic and then left would be a further impediment, so that such a person would need to reconcile with the RCC before receiving.

Just giving my thoughts on the matters … although they’re a bit off-topic, since in the OP’s case he did not actually choose to leave Catholicism at age 8 when his whole family left.

This law applies to Orthodox and other schismatic groups like Old Catholics who believe in the sacraments as we do but who are not united with the Pope.

As to being Catholic and leaving as an adult, you seem to be saying they can never return. This is not what the Church teaches; perhaps I am misunderstanding you?

 

[alphomega]

Hi Connor. Generally I’m of the opinion that someone who has left the Catholic Church ought not to receive (even if the standard conditions for a non-Catholic receiving are met).

Sorry, but this is horrible advice and way outside of the teachings of the church. There is a big difference in being away from the church and renouncing (leaving) the church. If you are baptized a catholic you ARE a catholic. Meeting with a good and HOLY priest under the seal of reconciliation is the best advice you are going to get. Your marriage is something that will need to be dealt with (among other things) but start in the confessional and the Priest will guide you from there.

Best of luck and WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[Peter_J]

Perhaps I am being more strict than the Church is, but I don’t think so.

I realize canon law allows for intercommunion in certain circumstances (“If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.”), but it seems to me that having been Catholic and then left would be a further impediment, so that such a person would need to reconcile with the RCC before receiving.

As to being Catholic and leaving as an adult, you seem to be saying they can never return.

Now you’re really bending over backwards vis a vis the way you take my words.

Does it really bother you that much that I said “reconcile with the RCC” rather than “return to the RCC”? You must spend a heck of a lot of time composing your posts if you’re that concerned about wording.

 

[thecolorsblend]

You are right to assume I’ve been away from a while. My parents left the church and took me with them when I was about 8 years old; we started going to a non-denominational church. When I struck out on my own I began looking for something with a deeper historic connection to the ancient faith, eventually being received (together with my wife) into the ACNA.

I obviously don’t know all the details but if it’s merely a liturgical issue for your wife, perhaps you can find an Anglican Use/Divine Worship (or whatever it’s called) parish near you. I came to the Church following a year of worship with the Anglicans. Even now I sometimes attend Mass at an Anglican Use parish and I cherish it every time. That might ease the transition for your wife. And maybe for you too.

 

[searleca]

I obviously don’t know all the details but if it’s merely a liturgical issue for your wife, perhaps you can find an Anglican Use/Divine Worship (or whatever it’s called) parish near you. I came to the Church following a year of worship with the Anglicans. Even now I sometimes attend Mass at an Anglican Use parish and I cherish it every time. That might ease the transition for your wife. And maybe for you too.

Believe it or not, the difference in liturgy is negligible. We actually genuflected more as Anglicans than at Catholic mass. The issues for her are more doctrinal; papal supremacy/infallibility, Mariology, closed communion ect.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Believe it or not, the difference in liturgy is negligible. We actually genuflected more as Anglicans than at Catholic mass. The issues for her are more doctrinal; papal supremacy/infallibility, Mariology, closed communion ect.

Understood. It took the Mrs. and me several years until the time was right for both of us simultaneously.

Good luck.

 

[St_Francis]

Now you’re really bending over backwards vis a vis the way you take my words.

Does it really bother you that much that I said “reconcile with the RCC” rather than “return to the RCC”? You must spend a heck of a lot of time composing your posts if you’re that concerned about wording.

No, I misunderstood what you had written in light of the direction you seemed to be taking with the rest of what you wrote, . Everyone else understands that returning to the Church necessarily involves reconciling with the Church, so It is unclear why you wrote what you did.

I apologize for the misunderstanding.