Questions on Communion and Lent

[livingpeace]

I’m a bit confused on some things. I was baptized a Catholic but only went to church a couple times as a child. Now I am trying to learn how to be Catholic but it’s like a foreign language to me. I just don’t have much clue of what is going on and what I’m supposed to be doing. Who goes up for Communion? Am I supposed to go to confession? The priest mentioned Lent today, what is that all about? And what makes me a Catholic(being baptized Catholic?) And when do I genoflect? I forgot to do it before going into the pew today. Do I do that everytime I enter the pew? Are there other times I should do it? What things do I confess to if I’m supposed to confess at all? When do I make the sign of the cross, when do I bow my head? Someone posted a website for me to look at before and it has helped but I still have lots of questions!

 

[1ke]

Yes, you are a Catholic by virtue of your baptism.

Since you are uncatechized (haven’t had instruction in the Catholic faith) I would suggest you make an appointment to speak to your priest. The priest can decide what course of study you need in order to complete your Sacraments (First Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation).

There are typically classes for those who want to convert to Catholicism, baptized in other Christian denominations or unbaptized. This is called RCIA. Even though you are already Catholic by virtue of your baptism, your priest may suggest going to these classes to learn the doctrines of the faith and to receive answers to the numerous questions that you have.

RCIA is a structured process designed to teach the faith to those who don’t know anything about it. Sounds like exactly what you need to prepare to receive the rest of your Sacraments and to live a Catholic life.

 

[KarenElissa]

I’m a bit confused on some things. I was baptized a Catholic but only went to church a couple times as a child. Now I am trying to learn how to be Catholic but it’s like a foreign language to me.

As someone who has only been Catholic a little over a year, I understand the foreign language part! But I’m also surprised at how quickly I’ve caught on and I’m sure you will too.

Who goes up for Communion?

Catholics who are in a state of grace (no mortal, or big, sins) and have observed the one hour fast are welcome to receive communion. If you are not in a state of grace, you must go to confession before you receive.

Am I supposed to go to confession?

Probably, assuming you have committed a sin since the last time you went.

The priest mentioned Lent today, what is that all about?

Lent is the 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. It is a time to get ready to celebrate Easter. It is a penitential season so we spend extra time remembering our sins. Catholics are also supposed to abstain from meat on the Friday’s of Lent.

And what makes me a Catholic(being baptized Catholic?)

Yup, your baptism makes you Catholic. Did you receive First Communion, Confirmation, or any education in the faith?

And when do I genoflect? I forgot to do it before going into the pew today. Do I do that everytime I enter the pew? Are there other times I should do it?

We genuflect in respect of the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated hosts which are the Body and Blood of Christ. We genuflect, towards the tabernacle, when we enter our pew and when we we leave. It seems most people will do it any time they are entering or leaving. We also genuflect any time we are walking in front of the Tabernacle, except when in procession.

What things do I confess to if I’m supposed to confess at all?

We are required to confess any moral sin in kind and number. It is also good to confess other sins. Assuming you haven’t been to confession in a long time, you will want to make and appointment with the priest instead of going to a regular confession time where there could be a line. You can tell the priest that you haven’t done this in a long time and he will help you along with the process.

When do I make the sign of the cross, when do I bow my head?

We begin and end prayer with the Sign of the Cross. I also will make it just as a short prayer in itself. Bowing your head is just a way to help you concentrate during prayer. It helps block out distractions. It isn’t the only way to pray though, so that is basically up to you.

Someone posted a website for me to look at before and it has helped but I still have lots of questions!

Keep asking questions! It will help you learn.

 

[japhy]

I’m a bit confused on some things.

Unless you’d be uncomfortable doing this, I suggest you ask your questions to a priest at your new parish.

Who goes up for Communion?

Only Catholics who have fasted from food and drink (water and medicine excluded) for at least one hour and who have confessed any mortal sin they are aware of having committed.

Am I supposed to go to confession?

At least once a year. You should make it a habit (monthly is a good idea). If you have committed mortal sin (like “not been a practicing Catholic for several years”), you must go to confession before you start receiving Holy Communion again. Otherwise… you’re committing a mortal sin by doing so.

The priest mentioned Lent today, what is that all about?

Lent is the liturgical season that precedes Easter. It is a time of penance (primarily by fasting and abstinence) and spiritual self-inspection.

And what makes me a Catholic (being baptized Catholic)?

There is only one baptism and only one Church, and anyone who is baptized is baptized into that one Church, the Catholic Church. Whether they are baptized into a Catholic parish is another matter altogether. A Catholic, technically speaking, is a Christian who believes the Catholic faith.

And when do I genoflect? I forgot to do it before going into the pew today. Do I do that everytime I enter the pew? Are there other times I should do it?

You normally genuflect to the tabernacle (when the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament, is inside it) and to the Eucharist in general. I genuflect before I enter my pew when I arrive, and after I leave my pew after Mass.

What things do I confess to if I’m supposed to confess at all?

You should confess in type and number any and all mortal (serious/grave) sins you can remember having committed since the last time you confessed. Confessing venial (minor) sins is praiseworthy although not strictly required.

When do I make the sign of the cross, when do I bow my head?

During the Mass, the sign of the cross is only made at the beginning of Mass (when the priest says “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”) and end of Mass (when the priest says “and may Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”). You would also do it when entering a church when you bless yourself with holy water.

Bowing your head… this is traditionally done when the Trinity is named (“Father, Son, Holy Spirit” – so your head should be bowed when you make the sign of the cross) and at the name of Jesus (at least when it is said in the Mass). At the name of Mary or the saint being commemorated that day, a smaller bow of the head is customary. You should bow your upper body during the part of the Creed (said at the middle of Mass) when you say “By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man”.