May one in the RCIA receive the Eucharist at church?

[marybethf]

Hi all,

I am going through the RCIA process and am only a couple of months in. I have not been baptized or confirmed and therefore have never formally confessed my sins. I am wondering about the proper procedure for accepting/not accepting the Eucharist at my church. I heard through other members of my class that the woman running our RCIA classes said that we are supposed to accept it. However, my past understanding is that I am not because I haven’t confessed. I don’t want to insult any members of the church and I really do not want to sin by accepting the Eucharist when I should not be!

If you could give me any advice on this matter I would really appreciate it. I am going to mass tomorrow at noon and they will be acknowledging us members going through the RCIA program so I just want to make sure I do whats acceptable of me.

Thank you for your help.

Mary

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Mary,

Only Catholics in the state of grace are allowed to receive the Eucharist. You will be allowed to receive the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil after you have been baptized—and not until then. This is very basic information and should be made clear to the whole RCIA class.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.