Returning Catholic

[dnomyaR]

Good Day,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I’m trying to seek advice for my situation. I was born and baptised a Catholic. I attended mass regularly with my family untill around the age of 18 when I moved out. It’s been about 3 years since I regularly attended mass. I have just started again recently and there’s something that’s bothering me.

At the age of 12 I recieved my first communion. I did not attend any kind of confirmation, my mother did all of my instructing in faith and told me to recieve it the day she thought I was ready. However, now that I’m regularly attending mass it’s been bothering me whether or not I’ve sinned everytime I’ve recieved communion. I want to be confirmed now and make attending church a big part of my life, however I don’t know if this was wrong or what I’m suppoused to do now.

Thank you for any help and your understanding concerning my situation.

 

[DianJo]

Welcome on your return!
You have not sinned because you received communion even though you were not confirmed. However, have you been back to confession? If not, having been “gone” for 3 years, I would be more concerned about having received communion with mortal sin on my soul. If I were you, I’d make an appointment with your parish priest for a good confession and then talk to him about what your next step whould be concerning Confirmation.

He may suggest RCIA, maybe not depending on your level of catechsis. You may just be able to join the next confirmation class which would be around next Easter. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to attend RCIA for a refresher - we could all use that. He’ll tell you what your next move needs to be.

Welcome home!

 

[wardrandolph]

Welcome home.DianJo offered good advice.If you have not been to the Sacrament of Reconciliation,please go ASAP.Rocky.

 

[dnomyaR]

Thanks for your support. It really helps with returning.

I will attend Mass again this evening and explain everything and go to the next available confession.

 

[NFrancis]

Welcome back to the Church!

I don’t think it is a sin to receive Communion after you have gone to confession. But, after being gone from the Church for three years you should make a confession about not going to mass and whatever else and then you can receive Communion. Additionally, it might be good to schedule an appointment with your priest about any questions you have about the Catholic faith. And if you have never been to confession before I would like to say some things regarding it. First, there is no reason to be afraid to confess your sins. You have the option to sit behind a screen so the priest cannot see you. Also, the priest knows that you are sorry for your sins (why would you be there if you weren’t) and will not judge you. Also, It feels very good to get your sins of your conscious and to do penance for them. Penance is basically making up for your sins-like paying for something you broke. And Confession is in the Bible and has always been practiced in the Church.

 

[Trishie]

We are delighted that you have responded to the grace to return to the Church.
May God bless you, and may you continue to accept the grace God offers you for your life and for others through you!

 

[dnomyaR]

I went back and attended the evening mass so I could speak with the priest afterwards. He suggested I go to confirmation this Saturday, which of course I will do. Unfortunately he seemed in a hurry and I was very nervous as I’ve never actually spoken to the priest person to person untill now. My mother was always there to do the talking untill now.

Something I found somewhat confusing was the priest wore a brown robe underneith his alb instead of a the black collar shirt I’ve never seen anything like it before. He had sandles on too. I know this is a total newbie question, but why would he be wearing that? It is a Catholic Church.

Thank you for your help in giving me the courage to speak with him after mass.

 

[patwolford]

Something I found somewhat confusing was the priest wore a brown robe underneith his alb instead of a the black collar shirt I’ve never seen anything like it before.

I would guess that he is a member of a religious order.

 

[dnomyaR]

I did some research and indeed they are. I believe it’s the Order of Friars Minor. Forgive me for my ignorance I have a lot to learn about the Catholic faith still.

I don’t understand why no one kneels at this parish. Isn’t it a requirement for people to kneel at certain times during the mass?

Edit: I Found the anwser to my own question. Just in case anyone else is interested and doesn’t know either…

findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_13_123/ai_n16533428/

The Vatican four years ago gave local bishops the option of deciding at certain points whether worshipers should kneel. U.S. bishops have taken the position that standing is just as respectful as kneeling, the Times said.

 

[diggerdomer]

Welcome on your return!
You have not sinned because you received communion even though you were not confirmed. However, have you been back to confession? If not, having been “gone” for 3 years, I would be more concerned about having received communion with mortal sin on my soul. If I were you, I’d make an appointment with your parish priest for a good confession and then talk to him about what your next step whould be concerning Confirmation.

He may suggest RCIA, maybe not depending on your level of catechsis. You may just be able to join the next confirmation class which would be around next Easter. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to attend RCIA for a refresher - we could all use that. He’ll tell you what your next move needs to be.

Welcome home!

As others said, welcome.

RCIA may be helpful but it would not be the appropriate way for you to seek Confirmation if that’s what you desire.

By all means avail yourself of the sacramental graces of Reconciliation and Eucharist.