Receiving the Eucharist Without Being Confirmed

[Mozarteum]

A couple of questions for the forumistas.

Let’s say that someone was baptized as an infant, had their first confession heard, and that they received their first Holy Communion. Let’s say also that they never received Confirmation, since they fell away from the Church (for whatever reason) before time for Confirmation came.

In order to return to a fully sacramental life, this person would merely have to go to confession. They would then be free to receive Holy Communion whenever they wanted to (within the bounds of canon law), and could pursue Confirmation without having to abstain from the Eucharist, confession, or even Holy Matrimony (if possible) in the meantime.

Is this understanding correct?

Also, let’s say that someone was baptized as an infant, never went to confession, never received their first Holy Communion, and were, of course, never Confirmed.

Such a person would normally have to go through RCIA and receive the sacraments of reconciliation, the Eucharist, and Confirmation on Holy Saturday; unless, of course, their pastor offered an exception to them for some reason.

Is this understanding correct as well?

Thanks for your time!

 

[phil19034]

You are correct with both of your assumptions, typically, that is the case for each (assuming they are not living in sin).

in the not being confirmed situation, they should talk to priest about being confirmed. Depending on why they were not confirmed and how much they know about the Faith would determine whether they are confirmed with or without some RCIA sessions.

Though I would still recommend RCIA, reading some good books, or the Symbolon course at symbolonrcia.org/

I hope this helps.

 

[Mozarteum]

I hope this helps.

It does indeed!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The answer to your first question is yes. The person should be confirmed as soon as possible to complete his Sacraments of Initiation,

In the second situation, the person obviously needs instruction before receiving his Sacraments. RCIA is technically only for the un-baptized, but others are often instructed together.

 

[1ke]

In order to return to a fully sacramental life, this person would merely have to go to confession. They would then be free to receive Holy Communion whenever they wanted to (within the bounds of canon law), and could pursue Confirmation without having to abstain from the Eucharist, confession, or even Holy Matrimony (if possible) in the meantime.

Is this understanding correct?

Correct.

Such a person would normally have to go through RCIA and receive the sacraments of reconciliation, the Eucharist, and Confirmation on Holy Saturday; unless, of course, their pastor offered an exception to them for some reason.

Is this understanding correct as well?

No. RCIA is for non-Catholics. Those who were baptized into the Catholic Church but did not complete their sacraments do not go through RCIA. They would go through an adult confirmation process.

If a parish lacks resources to hold two separate catechesis programs, those going through RCIA and those working towards completing their sacraments of initiation might attend the same educational classes. But the Catholic is not going through RCIA.

 

[FrDavid96]

Correct.

No. RCIA is for non-Catholics. Those who were baptized into the Catholic Church but did not complete their sacraments do not go through RCIA. They would go through an adult confirmation process.

If a parish lacks resources to hold two separate catechesis programs, those going through RCIA and those working towards completing their sacraments of initiation might attend the same educational classes. But the Catholic is not going through RCIA.

That’s not accurate.

RCIA is not limited to non-Catholics.

One form of RCIA is for adults who were baptized Catholic, but never catechized and therefore never Confirmed. It’s still RCIA.

 

[FrDavid96]

A couple of questions for the forumistas.

Let’s say that someone was baptized as an infant, had their first confession heard, and that they received their first Holy Communion. Let’s say also that they never received Confirmation, since they fell away from the Church (for whatever reason) before time for Confirmation came.

In order to return to a fully sacramental life, this person would merely have to go to confession. They would then be free to receive Holy Communion whenever they wanted to (within the bounds of canon law), and could pursue Confirmation without having to abstain from the Eucharist, confession, or even Holy Matrimony (if possible) in the meantime.

Is this understanding correct?

Also, let’s say that someone was baptized as an infant, never went to confession, never received their first Holy Communion, and were, of course, never Confirmed.

Such a person would normally have to go through RCIA and receive the sacraments of reconciliation, the Eucharist, and Confirmation on Holy Saturday; unless, of course, their pastor offered an exception to them for some reason.

Is this understanding correct as well?

Thanks for your time!

Actually, in your second scenario, doing this on Holy Saturday is really the exception to the rule, not the norm (although it has become the typical practice in the US in recent years). They should not be receiving those sacraments on Holy Saturday along with the unbaptized ('till then).

They have their own form of RCIA. It’s form #4 of RCIA entitled Preparation of Uncatechized Adults for Confirmation and Eucharist.

Ideally, they should follow whatever schedule accommodates their particular needs. Some might need more time and preparation, some might need very little. The Sacraments should not be delayed merely for the sake of keeping a schedule of Confirming on Holy Saturday. If a person is ready for Confirmation in June, that person should not be made to wait until next April to be Confirmed.

 

[Neofight]

Correct.

No. RCIA is for non-Catholics. Those who were baptized into the Catholic Church but did not complete their sacraments do not go through RCIA. They would go through an adult confirmation process.

If a parish lacks resources to hold two separate catechesis programs, those going through RCIA and those working towards completing their sacraments of initiation might attend the same educational classes. But the Catholic is not going through RCIA.

I’m not quite sure where you got this idea, but it is incorrect.

RCIA, is an acronym for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

The sacraments of initiation includes Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Therefore, RCIA is appropriate for Catholics who have been Baptized and/or received first communion, but have not been confirmed.

This is a common misconception by those not familiar with express intents and purpose of the RCIA program.

Peace and all Good!

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Your first scenario was me…the second was my husband.

BUT because CCD classes were a LONG time ago and my husband was going through RCIA… I did too. But never abstained from confession or the Eucharist.

And look where it led me…now I am on the RCIA team!