Sacrament records

[SRM77]

How would one go about finding info on Baptism, First Communions etc
…info?

 

[1ke]

I assume you mean your own sacramental records?

The parish where you were baptized maintains a record of your baptism. They should also have a notation for confirmation, marriage, decrees of nullity, and holy orders. These are required by canon law. The parish in which you received these sacraments will also have a record of them.

Canon law does not requires “first communion”, “first reconiciliation” (or any subsequent reception of communion or reconciliation) or anointing of the sick to be recorded. Some parishes do record first communion, but again it is not required therefore many do not record it.

So, if you are in need of your sacramental records, either you or your pastor can contact your baptismal parish and ask for a copy of your records. They will send a form with all pertinent information with the parish seal affixed to it.

 

[pianistclare]

I assume you mean your own sacramental records?

The parish where you were baptized maintains a record of your baptism. They should also have a notation for confirmation, marriage, decrees of nullity, and holy orders. These are required by canon law. The parish in which you received these sacraments will also have a record of them.

Canon law does not requires “first communion”, “first reconiciliation” (or any subsequent reception of communion or reconciliation) or anointing of the sick to be recorded. Some parishes do record first communion, but again it is not required therefore many do not record it.

So, if you are in need of your sacramental records, either you or your pastor can contact your baptismal parish and ask for a copy of your records. They will send a form with all pertinent information with the parish seal affixed to it.

Well, maybe Communion records are not required, (???) but every ledger book sold to Catholic Churches for Sacramental records HAS a First Communion section. And I am required to notify the parishes of Baptism of the First Communions.
The only Sacrament that we don’t record in the ledger (which is kept in a firesafe) is First Reconciliation. We do give a certificate to the children though, as it means a lot to them and their parents to mark the day.
:twocents:

 

[1ke]

Well, maybe Communion records are not required, (???) but every ledger book sold to Catholic Churches for Sacramental records HAS a First Communion section.

Combined registers do have a first communion section. Which, again, is not mandatory. Individual ledgers for individual sacraments can be purchased. Most large parishes have individual registers of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. In my old parish (7K+ families) they did not record FHC.

Just because they sell something, does not mean it is required, or in some cases that it is even Catholic. Our local Catholic religious supply company sells clerical garb for females, blue advent candles, and all sorts of other stuff. They cater to a broad audience that includes non-Catholic churches.

And I am required to notify the parishes of Baptism of the First Communions.

Required by whom? If your pastor has asked you to do so, then certainly follow his direction.

I have no idea why you would notify another parish. There is no place to enter that in the baptismal notations.

We record FHC in our parish. We do not send notice of FHC to other parishes. And it does not go on notations of sacramental records when requested.

The only Sacrament that we don’t record in the ledger (which is kept in a firesafe) is First Reconciliation. We do give a certificate to the children though, as it means a lot to them and their parents to mark the day.
:twocents:

Recording FHC is not required canonically, therefore I thought it important to mention so that the OP would not be expecting such a record where none may exist.

 

[pianistclare]

Combined registers do have a first communion section. Which, again, is not mandatory. Individual ledgers for individual sacraments can be purchased. Most large parishes have individual registers of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. In my old parish (7K+ families) they did not record FHC.

Just because they sell something, does not mean it is required, or in some cases that it is even Catholic. Our local Catholic religious supply company sells clerical garb for females, blue advent candles, and all sorts of other stuff. They cater to a broad audience that includes non-Catholic churches.

Required by whom? If your pastor has asked you to do so, then certainly follow his direction.

I have no idea why you would notify another parish. There is no place to enter that in the baptismal notations.

We record FHC in our parish. We do not send notice of FHC to other parishes. And it does not go on notations of sacramental records when requested.

Recording FHC is not required canonically, therefore I thought it important to mention so that the OP would not be expecting such a record where none may exist.

I was instructed by the priest and the Dean of our local Deanery that is it Canon Law. We even are audited to make sure everything is in order. Maybe they’re just being thorough. And in our record books, there is specifically a big margin at the end of the Baptismal entry for additional records to be added as the other Sacraments occur. We do receive notifications from other parishes from Texas, Florida, and many other states when our children who were Baptized at our parish receive FHC or Confirmation. When my husband and I were married, it was expected in our Diocese that my Baptismal parish would provide all the verifications for my life. They did.

 

[adrift]

Recently I had to obtain a certificate without knowing where the baptism took place. I began with the place of birth and enquired at the nearby Church’s. Luckily I found it.

 

[1ke]

I was instructed by the priest and the Dean of our local Deanery that is it Canon Law.

Well, it’s not.

We even are audited to make sure everything is in order.

The bishop reviews the sacramental records, typically annually at confirmation time.

Maybe they’re just being thorough.

Yes, there are many parishes that record FHC, it simply isn’t required.

And in our record books, there is specifically a big margin at the end of the Baptismal entry for additional records to be added as the other Sacraments occur.

Right, for confirmation, marriage, nullity, and holy orders. Those are specifically required to be noted in the baptismal register by canon law.

We do receive notifications from other parishes from Texas, Florida, and many other states when our children who were Baptized at our parish receive FHC or Confirmation.

Confirmation- required
FHC- not

When my husband and I were married, it was expected in our Diocese that my Baptismal parish would provide all the verifications for my life. They did.

Perhaps so. But again, FHC is not required.

 

[pianistclare]

Well, it’s not.

The bishop reviews the sacramental records, typically annually at confirmation time.

Yes, there are many parishes that record FHC, it simply isn’t required.

Right, for confirmation, marriage, nullity, and holy orders. Those are specifically required to be noted in the baptismal register by canon law.

Confirmation- required
FHC- not

Perhaps so. But again, FHC is not required.

Interesting. When our Archbishop comes, he places his seal and signature on the page with the Confirmandi names, but he does not take the time to review anything else.
Peace

 

[pianistclare]

In addition, it might be a good practice to record the First Communions, since in our area, all parishes demand proof of FHC before Confirmation (we Confirm at age 15 here, I know, I know, others do it way earlier…) and generally the parents have lost their certs or never got one in the first place. I don’t know how you’d prove it otherwise, unless you saved a program of the Mass or something. But generally, (AROUND HERE) I have to certify that they made their First Communion here with a new stamped copy of the original cert.
Again, that’s the way we do it here. Maybe your place is more correct.
We err on the side that more info is sometimes helpful.
Peace.

 

[1ke]

in our area, all parishes demand proof of FHC before Confirmation (we Confirm at age 15 here, I know, I know, others do it way earlier…)

Which is a violation of the candidate’s canon law rights. UGH. I am really annoyed sometimes at what parishes try to “require” that is NOT required. FHC is not a requirement for Confirmation, actually. And your FHC is simply the first time you receive communion-- no special cermony required, certainly no certificate or notification of anyone.

I don’t know how you’d prove it otherwise, unless you saved a program of the Mass or something.

The point being that there is absolutely no requirement to prove it, nor can someone be denied confirmation based on such supposed lack of “proof”. Haven’t made FHC? Go get in line at Mass, DONE.

But generally, (AROUND HERE) I have to certify that they made their First Communion here with a new stamped copy of the original cert.

Which is completely bogus.

Again, that’s the way we do it here. Maybe your place is more correct. We err on the side that more info is sometimes helpful. Peace.

Not saying don’t record it. Not saying some places don’t record it. Not even saying I don’t record it (I do in our small parish). What i am saying is canon law does not require it, nor can any parish require “proof” or place an impediment to other sacraments that the law does not allow.

 

[pianistclare]

Which is a violation of the candidate’s canon law rights. UGH. I am really annoyed sometimes at what parishes try to “require” that is NOT required. FHC is not a requirement for Confirmation, actually. And your FHC is simply the first time you receive communion-- no special cermony required, certainly no certificate or notification of anyone.

The point being that there is absolutely no requirement to prove it, nor can someone be denied confirmation based on such supposed lack of “proof”. Haven’t made FHC? Go get in line at Mass, DONE.

Which is completely bogus.

Not saying don’t record it. Not saying some places don’t record it. Not even saying I don’t record it (I do in our small parish). What i am saying is canon law does not require it, nor can any parish require “proof” or place an impediment to other sacraments that the law does not allow.

Wow dude. Pretty harsh stuff. “Bogus”. No need for all that.
If you want to be right, OK. But we are asked by Pastors to prove that a child is fully catechized before they “get in line”.
And that instruction must be completed before they can get in the Confirmation “line” as well.
It might indeed drive you crazy, but those are the guidelines we live by in our Diocese.
Again,
Peace.

 

[1ke]

Wow dude. Pretty harsh stuff. “Bogus”. No need for all that.
If you want to be right, OK. But we are asked by Pastors to prove that a child is fully catechized before they “get in line”.
And that instruction must be completed before they can get in the Confirmation “line” as well.
It might indeed drive you crazy, but those are the guidelines we live by in our Diocese.
Again,
Peace.

I hope you did not think I was saying what you were doing was bogus, what I meant was that the “requirement” to certify FHC is bogus. You complying with what your pastor has asked you to do is not bogus.

And, I am not a dude.

 

[pianistclare]

I hope you did not think I was saying what you were doing was bogus, what I meant was that the “requirement” to certify FHC is bogus. You complying with what your pastor has asked you to do is not bogus.

And, I am not a dude.

Sorry. Ike sounds like a guy, No intended offense. Have a good evening.
Peace.

 

[maryjk]

In addition, it might be a good practice to record the First Communions, since in our area, all parishes demand proof of FHC before Confirmation (we Confirm at age 15 here, I know, I know, others do it way earlier…) and generally the parents have lost their certs or never got one in the first place. I don’t know how you’d prove it otherwise, unless you saved a program of the Mass or something. But generally, (AROUND HERE) I have to certify that they made their First Communion here with a new stamped copy of the original cert.
Again, that’s the way we do it here. Maybe your place is more correct.
We err on the side that more info is sometimes helpful.
Peace.

So what do you do if someone moves to your area from a place where they don’t record FHC?

I know there is no such record for my son. I know this because when he was Confirmed, they check on his Baptism. And his First Communion wasn’t recorded.

What would they do? Make him go through classes again to make his second FHC? Or would they agree that since he has been going to Communion for years, chances are he made his first?

 

[Marysann]

When I worked in our parish religious education office, the practice of recording sacraments was explained to me in this way. Sacraments which can only be received once are the ones which must be recorded by canon law. Of course matrimony is also recorded as are annulments. When a person wants to get married, he or she must produce a new (how new depends on the diocese, I suppose) baptismal certificate from the parish in which they were baptized. This will tell the priest if the person has been confirmed, if they are in holy orders or are a professed religious, and of course, if they are already married in the Church and do not have an annulment. Some parishes do recored first holy communions, but it is not required. (The religious suppose places are happy to sell books to record it, however.) That is why the bishop mentioned in the earlier post reviewed the only records of confirmations. Parishes are or should be very conscientious about notifying other parishes of baptism if someone was confirmed. Special cards are available to send to the parishes of baptism to make this easier. First penance is never recorded because in a way it would be breaking the seal. No priest is ever suppose to say who goes to confession. Our young children’s first confessions should receive the same respect as everyone else’s.

 

[1ke]

That is why the bishop mentioned in the earlier post reviewed the only records of confirmations.

Our bishop reviews every section of the sacramental records and stamps and signs each section-- baptism, FHC, Confirmation, Marriages, and the death register. FHC isn’t required, but since we record it, he reviews it.

 

[pianistclare]

So what do you do if someone moves to your area from a place where they don’t record FHC?

I know there is no such record for my son. I know this because when he was Confirmed, they check on his Baptism. And his First Communion wasn’t recorded.

What would they do? Make him go through classes again to make his second FHC? Or would they agree that since he has been going to Communion for years, chances are he made his first?

We actually have not really had an incidence where there was no FHC record. Because everyone around here keeps them. And no, OF COURSE we don’t make them do it over…I really don’t get why everyone is so ticked off.
That’s sarcasm is really uncalled for.
Sometimes if there is no Baptismal record my pastor will ask the family for a picture of the day clearly showing the sanctuary, the child and the priest. That satisfies him. In fact, most of the people from Mexico have no records at all, and don’t feel like they can ask for them for some reason. They supply pictures.

 

[maryjk]

We actually have not really had an incidence where there was no FHC record. Because everyone around here keeps them. And no, OF COURSE we don’t make them do it over…I really don’t get why everyone is so ticked off.
That’s sarcasm is really uncalled for.
Sometimes if there is no Baptismal record my pastor will ask the family for a picture of the day clearly showing the sanctuary, the child and the priest. That satisfies him. In fact, most of the people from Mexico have no records at all, and don’t feel like they can ask for them for some reason. They supply pictures.

No sarcasm. Just truly wondering what they would do. I mean, if there are NO records.

Around here, it wouldn’t surprise me that if they wanted records and couldn’t get them, they would make the child go through it again. They are very serious about having all of their little boxes checked off.

Now, we don’t have records. I’m not sure he got a certificate. And I don’t have a picture of him in the sanctuary with the priest.

We don’t live in Mexico, and he has already been Confirmed, so it isn’t an issue. But I was truly wondering what they would do.