Receiving Eucharist without Reconciliation

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Blessedinbermy

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Tomorrow I am to be confirmed as a Catholic and my two children baptized so that they can begin CCD this September. I have been baptized as a non-catholic but was told that I cannot receive the sacrament of reconciliation until I am initiated into the church. I told him that I have mortal sins and he assured me that confirmation reaffirms my baptismal vows and that I can receive the Eucharist directly after. I know he told me that but I’m worried he’s mistaken.
 
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Blessedinbermy said:
I told him that I have mortal sins and he assured me that confirmation reaffirms my baptismal vows and that I can receive the Eucharist directly after. I know he told me that but I’m worried he’s mistaken.
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My understanding is that First Confession usually happens before First Holy Communion for baptized people.
 
Elf01 said:
My understanding is that First Confession usually happens before First Holy Communion for baptized people.
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Why would she be confirmed and not given First Communion? It sounds like she’s a non-Catholic being received into the Church. All of the confirmation candidates in RCIA when I went through it had to have gone to confession before receiving both Sacraments.

Either way, while confirmation strengthens one’s baptismal vows, it does not wipe all sins away like baptism.
 
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Who’s the “he” that told you this?

It is a little backwards. You should be going to confession as part of your preparation for confirmation; there is an exception that allows for this exact case (that a non-Catholic can go to confession when they’re previously baptized and preparing to be received into the Church).

If “he” is your pastor, then I see two options for you:
  1. Trust him; neither the Church nor the Lord faults the sheep for heeding the voice of the shepherd (although you might want to talk about it when you do get to your first confession).
  2. Make your way to another priest (even anonymously) for confession - just briefly explain that it’s your first and go from there.
 
The he is the Bishop. RCIA doesn’t start until October or November but my children cannot attend CCD unless they are baptized and they can’t be baptized unless one of their parents are Catholic. I’ve been attending daily mass since March with my children and I’ve read the entire catechism.

I want to trust him since he told me that it was ok but I wanted to be extra sure that I wasn’t sinning when I take Eucharist for the first time.
 
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When do they plan on confirming you? Easter? If you’re already baptized you should have your first confession in the couple weeks prior to that, after pretty much all the prep but before you’re fully received into the Church.
 
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Tomorrow so that my children can be baptized immediately after me and then start CCD next week.
 
Blessedinbermy said:
Tomorrow so that my children can be baptized immediately after me and then start CCD next week.
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I am definitely less of an expert than anyone in the clergy, even so, my understanding is that is unusual advice to get from the clergy.
 
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It sounds as if this is an unusual circumstance. Can you ask the bishop if you can decline communion after your confirmation tomorrow? And then recieve in a state of grace after you are able to make your first confession?
 
I hope it goes well!

Congratulations on you and your children becoming Catholic!
 
I’ve wanted to but I know that I can’t because it’s a sacrament reserved for Catholics. I was surprised when the Bishop told me that my initiation would involve full confirmation plus the Eucharist.
 
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Welcome home !

Hopefully this will help. I don’t like to receive communion when I feel like I have a mortal sin on my soul. However, it breaks my hear to sit at mass and not receive. My priest told me as long as I firmly intend to go to confession at my earliest opportunity and do so, I can receive
 
Please, please, please listen to and trust your Bishop. He knows you, anonymous people on the internet do not.

Do not start off your Catholic life already doubting the man who is your Shepherd.
 
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Today is our big day. After much thought and prayer I’ve decided that when I speak to the Bishop before the Mass, I will let him know that I will not take the Eucharist. The good thing about being accepted into the church is, I can do my first confession before next Mass ☺️
 
Blessedinbermy said:
Tomorrow I am to be confirmed as a Catholic and my two children baptized so that they can begin CCD this September. I have been baptized as a non-catholic but was told that I cannot receive the sacrament of reconciliation until I am initiated into the church. I told him that I have mortal sins and he assured me that confirmation reaffirms my baptismal vows and that I can receive the Eucharist directly after. I know he told me that but I’m worried he’s mistaken.
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If you do not have the opportunity to confess in person beforehand, then an act of perfect contrition should be made.

Catechism
1310 To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.128

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52
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Dear Blessedinbermy,

Best wishes for you and your family! I think that all Catholics on this forum should be impressed that you are trying to follow the requirements of the sacraments, and making sure your soul is in a state to receive.

Wishing you many happy years in the Church!
 
So yesterday was wonderful! I was confirmed and my children were baptized and the Bishop understood that I did not want to receive the Eucharist. I’m preparing for my first confession now… I’m a bit nervous but also very excited to be forgiven. (Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
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