What happens to a Catholic who is not confirmed?

[Cory_G]

As some of you know, I am in the process of returning to the Church. Since I was never confirmed I am being required to attend RCIA classes.

I find it uncomfortable to sit for 2 hours in a folding chair due to back problems after serving my time in the Navy. They also require us to attend a “group therapy session” after Sunday Mass, which I am simply uncomfortable with.

I discovered today, that some have been in the group for over a year. It appears that the instructor (not a priest, but a volunteer layman) has full authority about when confirmations are held, if ever. It’s at his sole discretion.

So, in realty, I could be subject to these RCIA classes for at least a year, if not two.

When I was a child I participated in confession and the Holy Eucharist, so I assume, as long as I go to confession first, I am eligible for the Eucharist.

What would happen if I attend Mass, receive the Holy Eucharist, participate in Parish activities, but never get confirmed?

(As side from the fact that my Parish refuses to baptize my children unless I am confirmed.)

 

[PhilotheaZ]

What would happen is that you would be deprived of the graces of an important sacrament, in which the Holy Spirit fills you with the gifts you need to live your Catholic faith heroically in what are likely to be very challenging times ahead.

On the other hand, if you have serious concerns about the program of preparation, you should address them with your pastor, privately and charitably. Describe the problems as you see them, without exaggerating or bad-mouthing anyone. And be ready to suggest some alternatives: either by way of improvements to the existing program, or by asking whether you could join another parish’s preparation program or follow a program of self-directed study (e.g., reading the Catechism or a book based on it) and be tested on it afterward.

Parishes are in a difficult situation these days in finding enough adults qualified and willing to provide catechesis. RCIA is not the ideal answer for adults who are already Catholic, but most parishes don’t have the human resources to provide a separate program for them.

If you have already received the sacraments of Confession and Communion, you can continue doing so (as long as you confess any serious sins you have committed since your last good Confession before approaching Holy Communion).

 

[Cory_G]

I want to go on record that I am not bad mouthing anyone. I think our RCIA instructor is sincere and is doing a great job.

I just have a family, and while every Thursday night for two hours, and the week after Thanksgiving, it is “special week” and we are required to attend every evening for two hours, really isn’t practical.

I am sincere though about returning to the Church. However, I do not see why I should be denied the Holy Spirit because I do not attend a class every Thursday for two years.

Are there any other options for confirmation besides going through my parish’s RCIA class?

 

[Joannm]

In our parish, those Catholics who just need to receive Confirmation take an 8-10 week course during Lent and Easter and receive Confirmation on Pentecost. I do not see any reason why you need to be in a 2 year RCIA and if you go to confession there should be no reason why you can’t receive Communion each and every week. Also, are they dismissing you from Mass on Sunday, if they are they are WRONG as they are causing you to miss the entire Mass, which you, as a baptized Catholic adult are required to attend.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Are there any other options for confirmation besides going through my parish’s RCIA class?

You might check around at neighboring parishes to see what options are available. In my parish we have adult confirmation classes for people who are baptized and have received their First Communion. We don’t mix those folks in with RCIA. But different parishes do things different ways, based in part on how many volunteers they have to teach different groups. In any case it wouldn’t hurt to call around.

 

[Cory_G]

In our parish, those Catholics who just need to receive Confirmation take an 8-10 week course during Lent and Easter and receive Confirmation on Pentecost. I do not see any reason why you need to be in a 2 year RCIA and if you go to confession there should be no reason why you can’t receive Communion each and every week. Also, are they dismissing you from Mass on Sunday, if they are they are WRONG as they are causing you to miss the entire Mass, which you, as a baptized Catholic adult are required to attend.

Yes, we dismiss from mass after receiving a blessing from the Priest. Then we go to, what I call group therapy. This happens immediately after the homily.

Do you have any links or documents to point me to that discusses that I should not be dismissed from Mass?

 

[lizaanne]

My father was recently confirmed, he was sick when his confirmation class received the rite when he was a child, and he just never got back to do it. He was not required to do massive preparation, he only met privately a few times with the adult religious ed person, then Father said he was ready, and he was confirmed at the Cathedral with thousands of other adults on Pentacost.

Not sure why your parish requires you to do this - you may wish to speak to your priest directly.

I also have a concern, regardless of how well meaning he might be, that your RCIA director has full discretion over candidates. That is not right and needs to be discussed with your priest and/or your Bishop.

~Liza

 

[puzzleannie]

As
I discovered today, that some have been in the group for over a year. It appears that the instructor (not a priest, but a volunteer layman) has full authority about when confirmations are held, if ever. It’s at his sole discretion.

.)

no he does not, the bishop is the sole authority here. If this lay person is under this impression he should be fired or receive immediate correction. What this lay person probably has been delegated to do is teach the class, and confer with the pastor on which candidates are ready for the next step in the process. The pastor should be making the effort to at least meet the candidates and interview them, because he is the one who recommends the candidates to the bishop.

only the unbaptized are dismissed after the homily for what should be an instruction on the readings from a reliable source, not faith sharing, and not group therapy. If the baptized, esp. Catholics are being dismissed this is an abuse and should be reported to the pastor. Today would be great, tomorrow at the latest.

If you are a Catholic who has not been confirmed you do not belong in RCIA at all… Assume you have basic catechesis and are already practicing the faith you need minimal instruction on the nature of the sacrament of Confirmation and catechesis on the Holy Spirit, with preparation for first confession and first communion if they are needed. He is confirmed at the time and place designated by the bishop, even though that may be several weeks after he has finished this process.

 

[Cory_G]

I would like to receive the Holy Spirit. Is there another way to receive the Holy Spirit without confirmation via RCIA?

 

[Cory_G]

no he does not, the bishop is the sole authority here. If this lay person is under this impression he should be fired or receive immediate correction. What this lay person probably has been delegated to do is teach the class, and confer with the pastor on which candidates are ready for the next step in the process. The pastor should be making the effort to at least meet the candidates and interview them, because he is the one who recommends the candidates to the bishop.

only the unbaptized are dismissed after the homily for what should be an instruction on the readings from a reliable source, not faith sharing, and not group therapy. If the baptized, esp. Catholics are being dismissed this is an abuse and should be reported to the pastor. Today would be great, tomorrow at the latest.

If you are a Catholic who has not been confirmed you do not belong in RCIA at all… Assume you have basic catechesis and are already practicing the faith you need minimal instruction on the nature of the sacrament of Confirmation and catechesis on the Holy Spirit, with preparation for first confession and first communion if they are needed. He is confirmed at the time and place designated by the bishop, even though that may be several weeks after he has finished this process.

I was baptized as an infant and when I was eleven we went to classes, all day Saturday and part of Sunday. At the end I did my first confession and communion. Then we were to return several weeks later for confirmation. I do not remember why but I never made it back that day.

This is what happens at our Mass. We are required to attend the 8am Mass. Our Priest does the reading from the Gospel and then delivers the homily. We are called to the alter and then the Priest says a blessing and then the congregation sings “Go in peace” as the RCIA instructor leads us out. We then go to a classroom where we sit in a circle and go around the room each of us stating how we felt about today’s Mass. When the last person talks we break.

 

[1ke]

Go to a different parish. Or, better yet, contact the diocesan office and report these abuses!

The bishop has the authority to confirm Catholics and Catholic should not be subjected to these things you list such as endless RCIA and being part of the dismissal of the unbaptized.

You are in Las Vegas… there’s more than one Catholic parish there. Go find a priest and a parish that will help you receive Confirmation.

The priest also should be reprimanded for refusing to baptize your children until you are confirmed. This defies canon law on baptism and he has no place denying your children their baptism.

Are you in a valid marriage? Typically confirmation is required before marriage.

 

[Cory_G]

Go to a different parish. Or, better yet, contact the diocesan office and report these abuses!

The bishop has the authority to confirm Catholics and Catholic should not be subjected to these things you list such as endless RCIA and being part of the dismissal of the unbaptized.

You are in Las Vegas… there’s more than one Catholic parish there. Go find a priest and a parish that will help you receive Confirmation.

The priest also should be reprimanded for refusing to baptize your children until you are confirmed. This defies canon law on baptism and he has no place denying your children their baptism.

Are you in a valid marriage? Typically confirmation is required before marriage.

No I am divorced, but I was married in the Vegas tradition not the Catholic tradition. Does this part make a difference? The Pastor has no problem doing the annulment, but I am waiting for my mother to mail my paperwork (records from my hometown Parish) that the Pastor is requiring.

I appreciate all the responses and help. Do anyone of you have links to official documents that say I shouldn’t be dismissed? I feel very uneasy about even bringing it up, but I would feel a lot more comfortable with a page from the Church backing up what I am saying.

 

[Joannm]

Yes, we dismiss from mass after receiving a blessing from the Priest. Then we go to, what I call group therapy. This happens immediately after the homily.

Do you have any links or documents to point me to that discusses that I should not be dismissed from Mass?

It is probably in the RCIA ritual book. I have to look it up at work, but a baptized Catholic is bound to attend a whole mass…only the unbaptized are dismissed. I would call the diocese, they should know. The RCIA director is WRONG< WRONG< WRONG!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

It is probably in the RCIA ritual book. I have to look it up at work, but a baptized Catholic is bound to attend a whole mass…only the unbaptized are dismissed. I would call the diocese, they should know. The RCIA director is WRONG< WRONG< WRONG!

In addition to it being wrong to dismiss ANYONE who is already baptized, in the case of the OP he is Catholic and has received his First Eucharist. He should be at Mass and receiving communion, not breaking open the word.

 

[1ke]

No I am divorced, but I was married in the Vegas tradition not the Catholic tradition. Does this part make a difference? The Pastor has no problem doing the annulment, but I am waiting for my mother to mail my paperwork (records from my hometown Parish) that the Pastor is requiring.

Ah, I see now why Confirmation did not come up as part of Catholic marriage preparation-- you were in a civil marriage only. Got it.

I appreciate all the responses and help. Do anyone of you have links to official documents that say I shouldn’t be dismissed? I feel very uneasy about even bringing it up, but I would feel a lot more comfortable with a page from the Church backing up what I am saying.

As a Catholic you are bound by canon law and the Commandments to attend Mass, not be dismissed. You should be participating in the Eucharist, not leaving Mass.

Call the diocese. I would call the person listed as vicar general in your diocesan directory. That would be after making an appointment and discussing the situation with your pastor. If you do not get satisfaction at that level, time to go to the diocese.

 

[jmcrae]

Yes, we dismiss from mass after receiving a blessing from the Priest. Then we go to, what I call group therapy. This happens immediately after the homily.

It is not appropriate for people who have already been baptized to attend these sessions - they are intended for the Catechumens (unbaptized persons). In any case, they should certainly not have anything of the character of “therapy” - they are supposed to be an opportunity for the Catechumens to, for the first time in their lives, encounter the Scriptures. These sessions are called “Breaking Open the Word of God” for a very good reason - the Catechumens are supposed to be reading the Bible (the readings of the day) and finding meaning in them for their own lives - not doing anything resembling “therapy.”

Do you have any links or documents to point me to that discusses that I should not be dismissed from Mass?

Paragraph 484 in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults shows that baptized Christians (whether Catholic or not) are to remain with the community until the end of Mass. (Elsewhere, it indicates that the Catechumens are to leave directly after the Homily to attend “Breaking Open the Word of God” - not “group therapy”.)

 

[Joannm]

Ah, I see now why Confirmation did not come up as part of Catholic marriage preparation-- you were in a civil marriage only. Got it.

As a Catholic you are bound by canon law and the Commandments to attend Mass, not be dismissed. You should be participating in the Eucharist, not leaving Mass.

Call the diocese. I would call the person listed as vicar general in your diocesan directory. That would be after making an appointment and discussing the situation with your pastor. If you do not get satisfaction at that level, time to go to the diocese.

Tell the pastor that for a Catholic to not be present for the whole mass, especially one who is an adult and has received Communion, is a mortal sin and he doesn’t want to have it on his conscience that he is causing you to sin, does he?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Do anyone of you have links to official documents that say I shouldn’t be dismissed? I feel very uneasy about even bringing it up, but I would feel a lot more comfortable with a page from the Church backing up what I am saying.

I would think the best source would be the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Church’s official book on the rites surrounding the initiation process amazon.com/gp/product/0930467949/ref=s9subs_c1_14_img1-rfc_g1-frt_g1-3237_p_si1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0FMEHP778C9G3SQCBY8A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383431&pf_rd_i=507846 .

Some helpful sections are #527-528, 544-545, and 559-560, which describe some rites of the initiation process that happen in the context of the Mass. The reason these are relevant to your question is the distinction between Catechumens (or Elect) and Candidates. Catechumens are not yet baptized; after a formal rite (Rite of Election) but before baptism, they are called the Elect; and Candidates are those already baptized awaiting full reception into the Catholic Church.

• #527 and 528 are a “Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates” followed by “Dismissal of the Catechumens.” No mention is made of dismissing Candidates.
• #544 and 545 are another “Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates” followed by “Dismissal of the Catechumens.” Again, no mention is made of dismissing Candidates.
• #559 and 560 are a “Prayer over the Elect and the Candidates” followed by “Dismissal of the Catechumens.” Again, no mention is made of dismissing Candidates.

It is no accident that Candidates are not mentioned in 528, 545, or 560 where the Dismissal is indicated. Since they are already baptized, they have every right to be present at the Sacrifice of the Mass. And you, as a Catholic, have an obligation to be there (unless you plan to attend a different Sunday Mass at another time each weekend).

At amazon.com amazon.com/gp/product/0930467949/ref=s9subs_c1_14_img1-rfc_g1-frt_g1-3237_p_si1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0FMEHP778C9G3SQCBY8A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383431&pf_rd_i=507846 you can use the “Look Inside” feature to do a limited search. Type the number 527 in the search box; page forward to read #528. Do the same with 544 or 559.

Edit: I just found a copy of part of the Rite online in a PDF file at dioceseoflacrosse.com/ministry_resources/catechesis/combined_rite.pdf . If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you should be able to search the document for the same numbers.

Or you can borrow someone’s copy of the book. Your DRE or parish office should have it.

 

[jmcrae]

I would think the best source would be the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Church’s official book on the rites surrounding the initiation process amazon.com/gp/product/0930467949/ref=s9subs_c1_14_img1-rfc_g1-frt_g1-3237_p_si1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0FMEHP778C9G3SQCBY8A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383431&pf_rd_i=507846 .

Some helpful sections are #527-528, 544-545, and 559-560, which describe some rites of the initiation process that happen in the context of the Mass. The reason these are relevant to your question is the distinction between Catechumens (or Elect) and Candidates. Catechumens are not yet baptized; after a formal rite (Rite of Election) but before baptism, they are called the Elect; and Candidates are those already baptized awaiting full reception into the Catholic Church.

• #527 and 528 are a “Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates” followed by “Dismissal of the Catechumens.” No mention is made of dismissing Candidates.
• #544 and 545 are another “Prayer over the Catechumens and Candidates” followed by “Dismissal of the Catechumens.” Again, no mention is made of dismissing Candidates.
• #559 and 560 are a “Prayer over the Elect and the Candidates” followed by “Dismissal of the Catechumens.” Again, no mention is made of dismissing Candidates.

It is no accident that Candidates are not mentioned in 528, 545, or 560 where the Dismissal is indicated. Since they are already baptized, they have every right to be present at the Sacrifice of the Mass. And you, as a Catholic, have an obligation to be there (unless you plan to attend a different Sunday Mass at another time each weekend).

At amazon.com amazon.com/gp/product/0930467949/ref=s9subs_c1_14_img1-rfc_g1-frt_g1-3237_p_si1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0FMEHP778C9G3SQCBY8A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383431&pf_rd_i=507846 you can use the “Look Inside” feature to do a limited search. Type the number 527 in the search box; page forward to read #528. Do the same with 544 or 559.

Edit: I just found a copy of part of the Rite online in a PDF file at dioceseoflacrosse.com/ministry_resources/catechesis/combined_rite.pdf . If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you should be able to search the document for the same numbers.

Or you can borrow someone’s copy of the book. Your DRE or parish office should have it.

#484 seems the most direct, to me. It states that the Candidates return to their seats after receiving the Rite of Welcome, to remain at Mass until the end, with the rest of the congregation.

Contrast this with the Catechumens leaving directly after the Rite of Acceptance, to attend Breaking Open the Word of God, in paragraph #67.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

#484 seems the most direct, to me. It states that the Candidates return to their seats after receiving the Rite of Welcome, to remain at Mass until the end, with the rest of the congregation.

Contrast this with the Catechumens leaving directly after the Rite of Acceptance, to attend Breaking Open the Word of God, in paragraph #67.

Yes, that does help. I don’t have my copy of the book in front of me (I loaned it to our DRE), so I did the best I could online. Thanks!