Question About Making First Communion

[Loreen2012]

Hello All,

Thank you for taking the time to read my question, which I hope someone will be able to assist me with! I was baptized as Ukrainian Greek Orthodox. I was brought up in the Catholic schools and attending Catholic mass. Unfortunately, I have been away from the Church for a very long time. I want to return as I have been attending mass, and I would like to make first communion as a Roman Catholic.

I spoke with my priest. He said that all I have to do is make a profession of faith by saying the Nicene Creed. Then we can start the process of making first communion.

My question is, if I do a profession of faith, does this “erase” my baptism? Am I still a baptized Greek Orthodox who is able to take part in Eucharist and Roman Catholic mass?

I thank you for your help with this question.

 

[Parisian]

You ask a good question and someone here will come along soon to answer. I’m curious as to the response too.

My thoughts on your question:

I don’t believe it “erases” your Baptism… isn’t the Ukraine Greek Orthodox in communion with Rome?

 

[Zekariya]

Any Eastern Orthodox (or Oriental Orthodox) Christian that is properly disposed to partake of the Eucharist may do so in the Catholic Church. If needed, you may go to a Catholic priest for confession. The profession of faith is a formal acknowledging of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

I experienced this myself. Welcome home!

 

[TheDoctor]

Hello All,

Thank you for taking the time to read my question, which I hope someone will be able to assist me with! I was baptized as Ukrainian Greek Orthodox. I was brought up in the Catholic schools and attending Catholic mass. Unfortunately, I have been away from the Church for a very long time. I want to return as I have been attending mass, and I would like to make first communion as a Roman Catholic.

I spoke with my priest. He said that all I have to do is make a profession of faith by saying the Nicene Creed. Then we can start the process of making first communion.

My question is, if I do a profession of faith, does this “erase” my baptism? Am I still a baptized Greek Orthodox who is able to take part in Eucharist and Roman Catholic mass?

I thank you for your help with this question.

Hi and welcome home. I think you should listen to Father and let him lead you.

On your baptism: There is no such thing as Greek Orthodox baptism or Ukrainian baptism or Catholic baptism. There is only baptism, with water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If that was done, it left an indelible mark on your soul that nothing can erase. You are a baptized Christian and that can never be taken from you.

 

[SonCatcher]

Welcome Home!

Hello All,

Thank you for taking the time to read my question, which I hope someone will be able to assist me with! I was baptized as Ukrainian Greek Orthodox. I was brought up in the Catholic schools and attending Catholic mass. Unfortunately, I have been away from the Church for a very long time. I want to return as I have been attending mass, and I would like to make first communion as a Roman Catholic.

I spoke with my priest. He said that all I have to do is make a profession of faith by saying the Nicene Creed. Then we can start the process of making first communion.

My question is, if I do a profession of faith, does this “erase” my baptism? Am I still a baptized Greek Orthodox who is able to take part in Eucharist and Roman Catholic mass?

I thank you for your help with this question.

All the sacraments you have received are valid: Baptism, Chrismation and Eucharist.

When you make your profession of faith in entering the Catholic church, you will not be receiving your First Communion as you already received that when you were baptized in the Orthodox Church.

By some accounts, you will be Roman Catholic. However, you will not be Latin Catholic. You will be received into the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and will be under the authority of the Ukrainian Catholic bishop rather than the local Latin bishop. This really only affects your sacrament records. You may worship and receive sacraments at any Catholic church, however. (so if you are drawn to the Mass as celebrated in the West, you are more than welcome to join in)

 

[Zekariya]

Welcome Home!

All the sacraments you have received are valid: Baptism, Chrismation and Eucharist.

When you make your profession of faith in entering the Catholic church, you will not be receiving your First Communion as you already received that when you were baptized in the Orthodox Church.

By some accounts, you will be Roman Catholic. However, you will not be Latin Catholic. You will be received into the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and will be under the authority of the Ukrainian Catholic bishop rather than the local Latin bishop. This really only affects your sacrament records. You may worship and receive sacraments at any Catholic church, however. (so if you are drawn to the Mass as celebrated in the West, you are more than welcome to join in)

Yes. I was baptized Antiochian and, therefore, am a part of the Melkite Catholic Church.

 

[Loreen2012]

Thank you all for all of the replies. So will I be considered then, both Orthodox and Catholic? An example is I know for Catholics to miss Sunday mass is a mortal sin, but since I confirmed as Orthodox, if I participate always in Catholic mass and partake in Eucharist, but miss a mass is that a mortal sin even though I am confirmed as non-Catholic, but will be part of the Catholic church and receiving Eucharist?

 

[SonCatcher]

Thank you all for all of the replies. So will I be considered then, both Orthodox and Catholic? An example is I know for Catholics to miss Sunday mass is a mortal sin, but since I confirmed as Orthodox, if I participate always in Catholic mass and partake in Eucharist, but miss a mass is that a mortal sin even though I am confirmed as non-Catholic, but will be part of the Catholic church and receiving Eucharist?

You will be Catholic. You can privately consider yourself Orthodox but publicly calling yourself that can cause confusion (There are a few members who list their religion as “Orthodox in Communion with Rome” and they are constantly asked to explain). The UGCC celebrates Orthodoxy Sunday. The only practical difference is whether you are in communion with Rome (that is: the Pope, when we have one).

Your confirmation is a valid Catholic confirmation. The precept to assist in worship (Mass or Divine Liturgy) is binding on you as long as you are not prevented by illness, caring for someone else, etc.

 

[Zekariya]

Thank you all for all of the replies. So will I be considered then, both Orthodox and Catholic? An example is I know for Catholics to miss Sunday mass is a mortal sin, but since I confirmed as Orthodox, if I participate always in Catholic mass and partake in Eucharist, but miss a mass is that a mortal sin even though I am confirmed as non-Catholic, but will be part of the Catholic church and receiving Eucharist?

If you partake in Catholic Sacraments, you will be considered a fallen away Eastern Orthodox Christian according to the Eastern Orthodox Church. You are now an Eastern Catholic. When you make your formal profession of faith in the Catholic Church, you will be registered as an Eastern Catholic in the Catholic Church. Since you want to be received into the Catholic Church, be sure to confess your mortal sins to a priest before receiving the Eucharist.

I was baptized Eastern Orthodox and have been received into the Catholic Church myself.