My son was baptized Lutheran as an infant, now being raised Catholic

[smh1978]

Hi everyone,

I’ve read a number of threads about this subject, but wanted to get some confirmation that my understanding is correct.

My wife is a cradle Catholic, and I was raised Lutheran but entered the Catholic Church a couple of years ago.

We had my son baptized by my father, a Lutheran minister, before my conversion. My son was an infant at the time, and he was 2 when I entered the Church.

He’s 4 now, and in a couple of years we will want him to have his First Communion. As I understand it, my son became Catholic when I converted, since he was under the age of reason. I this correct, or is there anything we need to do prior to his First Communion? I prefer to get all the ducks in a row now, rather than have any surprises later.

 

[1ke]

No. He did not automatically become Catholic by you becoming Catholic.

Obtain his baptismal records and go to your priest. Indicate you want to bring your child into full communion with the Catholic Church. Your child is still under the age of reason, so you can do this. You simply state you are bringing him into full communion and his record will be entered into the sacramental record.

This could have been done when you were received into the Church but it seems it wasn’t. It must be done formally and a sacramental record entered for your child indicating they are received into full communion through your intiation into the Church.

The priest can also perform the remaining baptismal rites such as the anointing with chrism, reception of candle and white garment if you would like.