RCIA confession?

[Changes7209]

I am currently in an RCIA class. I will not be able to be confirmed aat the Easter vigil as I have a previouls marraige which must first be annulled, though the priest after hearing my grounds was quite sure this would not be a problem. My main question is this: Though I am not in communion with the Catholic church yet, it is my sincerest desire to be so. I have become convicted that I need to go to confession re: a specific sin which is weighing heavily upon my soul. I do NOT feel that I can wait until my annulment is finalized. I can not explain the sense of urgency I feel, but it is there. What can I do? If I went to confession would it even be valid? Could someone please give me some advise… Thanks!

 

[Trishie]

If something is weighing on you so heavily do see your priest about it.
He will be able to advise you and help you…you will have confided it to your rightful spiritual guide. As such you can trust him to give God’s guidance and wishes.
Trust in God’s mercy and the guidance of your priest. That is where you will find peace. God’s kindest blessings to you.
In the meantime sincerely and honestly open your heart to God about the sin, how you regret it. Trust God who is your merciful father and your salvation

 

[Changes7209]

I should speak to a priest, agreed, but can a non catholic receive the sacrament of confession/penance? I have read they could and this would be the group I would fall into until the annullment is finalized.

 

[Junebug999]

Definitely go to confession. This happened to me when I was in RCIA also. A dear lady in RCIA meaning well told me I would be baptized which would “wipe out” my sins. She told me to wait and not go to confession for that reason, but I knew I had grave and mortal sin on my soul.

Then the Director of Religious Education spoke to the priest because I could not provide a baptism certificate. (My Baptist upbringing called baptism “symbol only” so didn’t keep very good track and I had no witnesses who would participate to help me join the Catholic Church). I was advised our priest was going to do a conditional baptism which is “IF you were not properly baptized before, I am baptizing you now…” (paraphrased). Knowing I had been properly baptized before as a child, and remembering it was Trinitarian baptism, I KNEW I had HUGE and GRAVE mortal sins in my past I had committed, and immediately felt the weight of sin and need for confession. I was out of town in the bay area when this began and traveling home to central California, I remember the urge to stop in every city I passed through and find a priest and confess. I made it home, it was Friday night, and that next morning, I left the house with the intent I would not return until I had made my first confession.

Do a search here for making a first confession, OR I know Father Corapi on his website has some information to guide you in this. Tell the priest when you get to the confessional that you are an adult in RCIA and making your first confession. I also felt very comfortable making that first confession in a private confessional versus face to face confession. That is your option you can decide also.

And when I walked out of that church that day I felt SO much better. White as snow, clean, healthy, spiritually washed and scrubbed.

And ever since then I have gone to confession on a regular basis. I always go for mortal or grave sin of course, and it is good to go for a build up of venial sins also. Venial sins have a way of building up coldness in our heart towards the things of God. Venial sin is washed away during Mass for Catholics. Write out for yourself and take with you the Act of Contrition. I couldn’t remember it exactly (the confessionals usually have a copy posted also. So what I said was my version which was telling God how sorry I was, not only for the loss of hell but because my sins had offended Him, and that I resolved with his grace to never commit them again.

Also, I yearned so much, had so much longing for Holy Communion with the Church. I made that first confession in November 2008, and I came into the Church on Easter Vigil 2009. The last few months before Easter Vigil, during communion, instead of praying with my hands together, I cupped my left hand in my right, anticipating when I would receive Our Lord, His body, blood, soul, and divinity.

Now I know why I yearned. It is life changing. I now try to go to Mass more often than once a week. And the grace it imparts to try to live for Christ is beyond anything I ever dreamed.

I’ll keep you in my prayers that God’s will be done in your life, and that you will always be open to God’s will.

 

[Trishie]

In 1997, Pope John Paul II and his chief theological adviser, Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (the present Pope) said that those living in an irregular union could come to the sacraments only if they lived “as brother and sister.”

However as you are not yet Catholic and perhaps not baptised? you still probably need to speak to your priest if something is worrying you so badly. may be within his discretion to offer it now, I don’t know your situation…but he is definitely the person you need to consult. The priest is your God-given advisor.

God grant you peace! There is no doubt of your sincere repentance and God knows.

 

[Changes7209]

Junebug, Thank you so much for your reply. This is exaclty as I feel ,and I too am having issues with proof of baptism, but I know it was trinitarian as well. It is a HUGE, MORTAL sin, and I have been contemplating doing the first one not face to face , as well. I will look up how to do a first confession. Thank you so much. I feel that God has to have put this desire in me bc I have not even thought of this sin for years, and now I think of it often, at times, like now, it even keeps me awake. Thanks again! God Bless you, your response is trully a blessing to me!
E

 

[twopekinguys]

As the lay director of RCIA for our parish, I may be able to help you out here a bit.

If you have never been baptized into any faith, then the baptism you receive at the Easter Vigil will cleanse any sins from birth until that baptism occurs.

If you believe you have been baptized into another faith, and that baptism cannot be confirmed or verified (i.e. baptismal certificate), then a conditional baptism would be required. You would need to receive the sacrament of penance prior to joining the church at Easter Vigil. (That is primarily a safeguard in case your baptism was in fact valid, but just can’t be verified.)

If you have received a valid baptism in another faith, then the sacrament of penance would be required prior to the Easter Vigil.

Now, assuming you were never baptized, you could still speak to the priest for spiritual guidance and counsel. He wouldn’t be able to pronounce the words of absolution, but it can still be kept in strict confidence and not disclosed to anyone, if you make that request.

I hope this helps.

God bless you on your journey.

 

[suissemissed]

If you have definitely been baptized without a doubt, I believe you can go to confession now… but you need to contact your priest first since (a) only he can determine your ability to properly receive the Sacrament, and (b) you will probably need to set up an appointment for a personal confession owing to the fact that, as it will be your first confession, it might take awhile to confess all the mortal sins on your soul (I know it’s going to take me a while with my first confession, anyways )

One more thing I’d like to point out: While confession is necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sins committed after baptism, it is not absolutely necessary. If you have sincere contrition in your heart (which is motivated by a desire to do God’s will above everything else, rather than just fear of eternal punishment), you will be forgiven by God even without sacramental confession, provided of course that you intended to go as soon as possible (which obviously, you do). See here, particularly all of section 7.

 

[baltobetsy]

There is another issue beside the one about your baptism. I apologize if it sounds harsh, but I’m sure you’d rather be working from a position of understanding the whole situation.

If you need your annullment finalized before entering the Church, that makes me think that you are in an irregular marriage. If that is the case, and you and your spouse are not living as brother and sister (no sexual contact), you commit a mortal sin each time you have relations. If you are not willing or able to live as brother and sister, this intention to keep committing mortal sins will prevent your receiving the Sacrament of Penance. When you go to confession, you must confess and repent of ALL of your mortal sins. This is because even one mortal sin kills the life of God in your soul. So, if you were to confess your big worrisome sin but leave out the sex in your irregular marriage, none of your sins would be forgiven. You can’t be partially dead.

Now, if you do not have children and would be able to separate until you receive a declaration of nullity, or if you would be willing and able to live as brother and sister, this situation might not be a problem for you, but you would need to consult the priest for advice concerning your particular situation.

If I have guessed wrong about your issues, I APOLOGIZE big-time! Perhaps this post can help another reader.

May God bless you as you make your journey into the Church!
Betsy

 

[puzzleannie]

I am currently in an RCIA class. I will not be able to be confirmed aat the Easter vigil as I have a previouls marraige which must first be annulled, though the priest after hearing my grounds was quite sure this would not be a problem. My main question is this: Though I am not in communion with the Catholic church yet, it is my sincerest desire to be so. I have become convicted that I need to go to confession re: a specific sin which is weighing heavily upon my soul. I do NOT feel that I can wait until my annulment is finalized. I can not explain the sense of urgency I feel, but it is there. What can I do? If I went to confession would it even be valid? Could someone please give me some advise… Thanks!

not enough info, but if you are already baptized into another Christian denomination, and waiting for your marriage issue to be resolved before you can be receiving into full communion with the Catholic Church, yes you can make your first confession whenever you are ready to do so. That is usually when you have received enough instruction to understand the nature of sin, the sacrament itself, how to confess etc. Simply tell the priest your situation, or to make it easy confess to the priest who is overseeing your annulment proceedings and your RCIA, so he knows the background.

Again, and it cannot or should not be discussed here, but it depends on your current manner of living regarding your marriage whether or not the priest can absolve you at this time, and he is the only one who can tell you that. For instance a person who feels bound to stay in a current (invalid) marriage including maintaining full marital relations cannot be absolved because a situation that is objectively sinful will continue. Just as a person who is stealing from the IRS could not be absolved if he is bent on continuing that sinful practice.

Welcome Home!
if you can see these delays as necessary help and assistance toward the grace Christ has in store for you, rather than as “hoops” or “hurdles” your experience will be immeasuarably deeper and more meaningful.

 

[Changes7209]

My situation is actually complex for a few reasons:
I was remarried in the Greek Orthodox faith which your church recognized as valid. They did not make me get a formal annullment bc they did not recognize the first marriage as sacramental since it was not Greek Orthodox or Catholic, ie was never sacramental. So “the other lung” as your previous Pope calls it, recognizes my marriage as valid. We have two children, both baptized Orthodox, so no we will probably not be living as brother and sister. From my perspective my annulment if similar to a conditional baptism, they are making sure. I am OK with this honestly, " when in Rome… " and even discussed with my husband the option of living as brother/sister until it’s all over, but I am going to have to discuss it with the priest. I guess I can see the point if I intend to continue sinning then how can I be contrite. I am praying about this. I fell that my current marraige is valid. I would have gotten an ecclesiastical annulment years ago if required to do so by the Orthodox. Anyway, I don’t know if this information helps anyone answer my question or just muddies the water… The priests themselves keep having to go to canonical lawyers about it. I feel a peace about moving to the Latin church, so I am willing to go through the process so to speak to be in full communion. Thanks!

 

[ConstantineTG]

I should speak to a priest, agreed, but can a non catholic receive the sacrament of confession/penance? I have read they could and this would be the group I would fall into until the annullment is finalized.

Yes, since you are validly baptized. But its still best to follow the adivce of the priest. I’m surprised an Orthodox has to go through RCIA, although I admit that its the only program most parishes have so all converts would be lumped into RCIA regardless of their degree of understanding of the Christian faith. But the differences in belief is very small, if you are a well catechized Orthodox, why go through RCIA at all?

Have you tried approaching an equivalent Eastern Catholic Church? Perhaps they’ll be able to handle your situation better.

Edit:

While you mentioned being married Orthodox in your last post and having two children baptized Orthodox, you never mentioned if you were yourself Orthodox. Were you baptized Orthodox? Or is it just your wife and kids are Orthodox?

 

[Junebug999]

not enough info, but if you are already baptized into another Christian denomination, and waiting for your marriage issue to be resolved before you can be receiving into full communion with the Catholic Church, yes you can make your first confession whenever you are ready to do so. That is usually when you have received enough instruction to understand the nature of sin, the sacrament itself, how to confess etc. Simply tell the priest your situation, or to make it easy confess to the priest who is overseeing your annulment proceedings and your RCIA, so he knows the background.

Again, and it cannot or should not be discussed here, but it depends on your current manner of living regarding your marriage whether or not the priest can absolve you at this time, and he is the only one who can tell you that. For instance a person who feels bound to stay in a current (invalid) marriage including maintaining full marital relations cannot be absolved because a situation that is objectively sinful will continue. Just as a person who is stealing from the IRS could not be absolved if he is bent on continuing that sinful practice.

Welcome Home!
if you can see these delays as necessary help and assistance toward the grace Christ has in store for you, rather than as “hoops” or “hurdles” your experience will be immeasuarably deeper and more meaningful.

You have received some excellent and more thorough and complete advice by Puzzleannie and others than what I gave y ou. When reading I skimmed, and the “potential irregular marriage” did not sink in. For that I apologize. I’m going to be more careful in the future I don’t skim OR post advice when I’m tired.

Odd thing though, just today my heart was so heavy because of those I know and love who are in irregular marriages. When i first began my journey to the Church I was in an irregular marriage also. My previous spouse passed away though. I agree with Puzzle Annie though to ask for God’s assistance and grace to help you and to see this in a positive light rather than hoops or hurdles.

I also agree that considering this circumstance also, you need to trust your priest for a face to face meeting. I have learned since my first confession that priests are given grace to hear confessions. He doesn’t judge or remember or think less of you, he sees – as being in the person of Christ – a sinner who wants to repent. Trust your priest to help you with these issues. That’s what Christ put him in that position to do…to help you.

You’re still in my prayers. God Bless You as you continue your journey.

 

[5Loaves]

My situation is actually complex for a few reasons:
I was remarried in the Greek Orthodox faith which your church recognized as valid. They did not make me get a formal annullment bc they did not recognize the first marriage as sacramental since it was not Greek Orthodox or Catholic, ie was never sacramental. … I would have gotten an ecclesiastical annulment years ago if required to do so by the Orthodox.

Just to clarify this point, an “ecclesiastical divorce” makes no difference as far as the Catholic Church is concerned. Some jurisdictions grant “ecclesiastical divorces”, others leave the decision up to the parish priest. as to whether a civilly divorces person may remarry. That new marriage is considered a remarriage. In the case of a Catholic decree of nullity the initial marriage is found to have be invalid so one is then marrying for the first time when entering into a new marriage.

The basis for granting an ecclesiastical divorce I believe varies, but is quite different from the conditions under which a decree of nullity can be granted.

Probably you already knew that or the RCIA director or parish priest in your current parish addressed that.

I’m truly sorry for the difficulties of your situation. I hope you can get some guidance from your priest or another spiritual father.

I’m confused when you talk about being Confirmed. Surely you were Chrismated as a Greek Orthodox before your marriage in the Greek Orthodox Church. Chrismation is recognized as Confirmation in the Catholic Church. Some Orthodox will re chrismate, but Catholics do not. You need to clarify this with your RCIA because they may be unfamiliar with this (they and Latin/Roman priests often are and should always consult the chancery whenever an Orthodox person seeks to become Catholic).

You really should not be in the RCIA with unbaptized persons especially. Your limited formation would possibly be somewhat like a baptized adult Catholic who never got confirmed and is preparing for that, although you have been confirmed already.

 

[jmcrae]

My situation is actually complex for a few reasons:
I was remarried in the Greek Orthodox faith which your church recognized as valid. They did not make me get a formal annullment bc they did not recognize the first marriage as sacramental since it was not Greek Orthodox or Catholic, ie was never sacramental.

In the Latin Rite we also recognize natural marriages as being valid, and thus, binding until death, as well as Christian marriages conducted outside the Church, as long as neither party was Catholic, at the time.

This is where the doubt is probably coming in, in your case, since it seems as if you had a natural marriage, or a Christian marriage, and were divorced without a declaration of nullity.

This assumes that your former spouse is still living, as well.

You will be able to make a good First Confession when all of this stuff has been cleared up. Hopefully, it will be just as straightforward as your priest thinks it will be, and it won’t be long before you can come back and tell us that everything is fine.

 

[5Loaves]

You really should not be in the RCIA with unbaptized persons especially. Your limited formation would possibly be somewhat like a baptized adult Catholic who never got confirmed and is preparing for that, although you have been confirmed already.

I got interrupted and timed out before finishing with this issue…

All that is required of an Orthodox Christian to become Catholic is a profession of faith. You’d have made confession before that Mass and would receive Holy Eucharist in that Mass after your profession of faith and are then Catholic. This can happen at any Mass and would not happen at an Easter Vigil.

Also, you should be recorded as an Eastern Catholic in the Eastern Catholic Church sui iuris closest to your Orthodox Church even tho you make you profession of faith in a Latin/Roman parish. All of this would have been explained to the RCIA leadership in your parish if they had contacted the chancery when they were approached by an Orthodox person.

You can post in the Eastern Catholicism section if you have questions about this.

(This assumes you were in a Greek Orthodox Church with valid priests who did your baptism and chrismation. There are invalid “Orthodox” groups just as there are invalid “Catholic” groups. Your chancery/tribunal would be the one to confirm that the particular Greek Church was part of a recognized sister Church.)

 

[ConstantineTG]

I got interrupted and timed out before finishing with this issue…

All that is required of an Orthodox Christian to become Catholic is a profession of faith. You then make confession and receive Holy Eucharist and are then Catholic.

Also, you should be recorded as an Eastern Catholic in the Eastern Catholic Church sui iuris closest to your Orthodox Church even tho you make you profession of faith in a Latin/Roman parish. All of this would have been explained to the RCIA leadership in your parish if they had contacted the chancery when they were approached by an Orthodox person.

You can post in the Eastern Catholicism section if you have questions about this.

I wouldn’t be surprised if lay people conducting the RCIA are not aware of this and would consider the Orthodox as a completely different faith.

Also as I have mentioned in my post earlier, because most parishes only have one program for non-Catholics to enter the Church, the Orthodox and the validly baptized Protestants get lumped together with non-Catholics. In fact our former parish priest even uses the RCIA program as an adult catechisis program and would even invite Catholics who would otherwise want to learn more about the faith to attend the sessions (but obviously not be included in the Easter Initiation).

 

[5Loaves]

I admit that its the only program most parishes have so all converts would be lumped into RCIA regardless of their degree of understanding of the Christian faith.

It’s very unfortunate indeed.

Baptized Christians be they Orthodox or protestant are not converts. In the case of protestants they are Christians preparing for full reception which can happen at any time but *according to the National Statutes should not happen during the Easter Vigil *which is to be reserved for only the catechumens (who by that point are the “Elect”). In the case of the Orthodox they are Christians from a sister Church who may be preparing if necessary, for a simple procession of faith and reception of Holy Eucharist which can happen at any Mass it also should not be during the Easter Vigil.

… **the term convert **should be reserved strictly for those converted from unbelief to Christian belief and never used of those baptized Christians who are received into full communion of the Catholic Church.

See page 363 for paragraph 2 of the National Statutes for the Catechumenate. Approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Confirmed by Congregation of Divine Worship.

I wouldn’t be surprised if lay people conducting the RCIA are not aware of this and would consider the Orthodox as a completely different faith.

That is a scary thought that they would be unaware of Orthodox as members of the Christian faith.

 

[5Loaves]

…and I too am having issues with proof of baptism, but I know it was trinitarian as well. It is a HUGE, MORTAL sin,

In the Latin/Roman Catholic Church for a sin to be a mortal sin requires all three components:’

1. Its subject must be a grave (or serious) matter.
2. It must be committed **with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity **of the offense (no one is considered ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are inborn as part of human knowledge, but these principles can be misunderstood in a particular context).
3. It must be committed with deliberate and complete consent, enough for it to have been a personal decision to commit the sin.

People may think they’ve committed a mortal sin when they have not. These discussions come up on Catholic radio quite often.

Normally for proof of baptism, if the Greek Orthodox Church where you were baptized and chrismated doesn’t keep records, if anyone is alive who was there they can provide a simple statement that they witnessed it. This isn’t unusual. Every baptism and chrismation by a valid Orthodox priest is accepted as valid by the Catholic Church. Please do what you can to locate a witness. It would be completely inappropriate to have either of these Holy Mysteries repeated by a Catholic priest.

 

[jamison]

I went through RCIA and was confirmed at Easter and never showed Perot of baptism. I offered to be conditionally baptized but 2 different priests both told me that as long as Im sure I was already baptized in the Trinitarian formula that I don’t need to be. Never showed proof. Was confirmed. Even have my confirmation certificate. Strange.