What happens to a Catholic who is not confirmed?

[Cory_G]

thank you PhilotheaZ, I don’t know how you found that link, I have been looking all day. Guess you have the magic touch .

In 544 under option c it states:

If for serious reasons the catechumens cannot leave (see no. 75.3) and must remain with the rest of the liturgical assembly, they, along with the candidates, are to be instructed that though they are present at the eucharist, they cannot take part in it as the Catholic faithful do. They may be reminded of this by the celebrant in these or similar words.

This seems to say that even though I am a candidate I cannot participate in the Eucharist. Do you have insight on this one?

On a side note, everything I keep reading lists initiation in this order: baptism, penance, confirmation, Eucharist. Is this the proper order, should I have received the Eucharist before confirmation?

 

[benedictus2]

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.

Well this is the first time I’ve heard of someone being required to group therapy to be received into the Church. I think some churches are using too much pop psychology rather than sticking to the Catechism. You might want to check that with your bishop.

 

[jmcrae]

thank you PhilotheaZ, I don’t know how you found that link, I have been looking all day. Guess you have the magic touch .

In 544 under option c it states:

This seems to say that even though I am a candidate I cannot participate in the Eucharist. Do you have insight on this one?

A Candidate is a non-Catholic who was baptized in a Protestant church. Candidates have not yet received First Holy Communion; this is why they can’t receive Holy Communion, yet.

You are a Catholic who is seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation.

On a side note, everything I keep reading lists initiation in this order: baptism, penance, confirmation, Eucharist. Is this the proper order, should I have received the Eucharist before confirmation?

This is the order for adult converts. Children who are being raised in Catholic homes receive the Sacraments of Initiation and Penance in a different order, because of various historical situations that are too complicated to try to explain without completely derailing the thread.

 

[Joannm]

thank you PhilotheaZ, I don’t know how you found that link, I have been looking all day. Guess you have the magic touch .

In 544 under option c it states:

This seems to say that even though I am a candidate I cannot participate in the Eucharist. Do you have insight on this one?

On a side note, everything I keep reading lists initiation in this order: baptism, penance, confirmation, Eucharist. Is this the proper order, should I have received the Eucharist before confirmation?

From what you have been writing you are NOT a candidate. You are a baptised Catholic, who has received some catechesis and has received penance and First Eucharist. After going to confession you can begin receiving the Eucharist at every Mass you attend as long as you remain in the state of grace. Candidates that cannot receive Eucharist are baptized non-Catholic Christians who are entering the Church and preparing to make a profession of faith, and receive Confirmaion and First Eucharist.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

In 544 under option c it states:

This seems to say that even though I am a candidate I cannot participate in the Eucharist. Do you have insight on this one?

On a side note, everything I keep reading lists initiation in this order: baptism, penance, confirmation, Eucharist. Is this the proper order, should I have received the Eucharist before confirmation?

You’re not a candidate in the sense given here — someone validly baptized in a non-Catholic Christian community, who is seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.

My point is, that if even candidates who are not Catholics are allowed to stay for the entire Mass, all the more reason that you should be there, who are already Catholic and simply seeking Confirmation.

I am non minimizing the importance of you receiving catechesis in preparation for Confirmation. You need to learn as much about your faith as possible, especially if you were not completely catechized as a child and young adult. I’m just not sure they’re going about it the right way. You should not be treated exactly the same way as the unbaptized. And you should be receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation (confession) and Holy Communion regularly.

 

[Cory_G]

Thank you all, I am slightly confused.

Because I am baptized by the Catholic Church then I am not a candidate. Is there a name for someone like me who failed to go to confirmation?

Regarding catechesis, I don’t remember how long it was, but I remember going every Saturday and half day on Sunday for a while leading up to my first communion.

I’m sure I need a refresher, but most non technical stuff, like the basic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, right and wrong (even though I don’t always live by it), I know.

By the way, thank you all for all your help. It is very much appreciated.

 

[jmcrae]

Thank you all, I am slightly confused.

Because I am baptized by the Catholic Church then I am not a candidate. Is there a name for someone like me who failed to go to confirmation?

In the Rite, you are referred to as an “uncatechized Catholic”. If I were you, I wouldn’t worry too much about labels. You are a Catholic who is seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation, and that’s about it.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Thank you all, I am slightly confused.

Because I am baptized by the Catholic Church then I am not a candidate. Is there a name for someone like me who failed to go to confirmation?

Regarding catechesis, I don’t remember how long it was, but I remember going every Saturday and half day on Sunday for a while leading up to my first communion.

I’m sure I need a refresher, but most non technical stuff, like the basic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, right and wrong (even though I don’t always live by it), I know.

No special name, except “unconfirmed Catholic” or “Cory.”

You said that “when I was eleven we went to classes.” Learning your faith is a lifelong process. Catholics are expected to attend Catholic school or CCD classes for most of their school years (our parish has classes for grades 1-8, and a youth group with catechetical elements for high schoolers). Adults should do regular spiritual reading, attend Bible study or adult faith formation classes offered by their parishes, or continue learning about the faith in other ways.

Do you really want to go through life with an 11-year-old’s understanding of the Catholic faith? Would you want to go through life with an 11-year-old’s understanding of anything — math, finances, sexuality, politics, etc.? Your faith is more important than any of these; they will not get you to heaven. But so many people think it is much more important to study worldly things than to study religion.

 

[benedictus2]

Thank you all, I am slightly confused.

Because I am baptized by the Catholic Church then I am not a candidate. Is there a name for someone like me who failed to go to confirmation?

Regarding catechesis, I don’t remember how long it was, but I remember going every Saturday and half day on Sunday for a while leading up to my first communion.

I’m sure I need a refresher, but most non technical stuff, like the basic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, right and wrong (even though I don’t always live by it), I know.

By the way, thank you all for all your help. It is very much appreciated.

As far as I know, if you are baptized Catholic you are Catholic. You just need to be confirmed. And while you do need a refresher, I really do not think you need to stick with group therapy. Find out if you are allowed to do RCIA elsewhere and do check with your Bishop about this practice. It is not requried by the Church for confirmation.

 

[Joannm]

As far as I know, if you are baptized Catholic you are Catholic. You just need to be confirmed. And while you do need a refresher, I really do not think you need to stick with group therapy. Find out if you are allowed to do RCIA elsewhere and do check with your Bishop about this practice. It is not requried by the Church for confirmation.

One of the big problems with many RCIA processes in parishes is that they do not see it as a process but as a program and everyone fits into the same mold, the same program. Cory’s situation is a good example. The only people who need to go through the entire process are the unbaptized. Even totally uncatechized Catholics can be brought up to speed, so to speak, in stages…prepared for confession and Communion, then prepared for Confirmation. Since the poster has already had some catechesis, he/she should be, after a few talks with the DRE or priest or deacon, be asked to make a good confession and begin receiving Holy COmmunion on a regular basis. Then prepare to receive COnfirmation. This can be done with the kids in the parish when the Bishop comes (although this is less common now days), or the pastor can ask for permission to do it at any time during the year. He NEEDS special permission from the Bishop to confirm a validly baptized Catholic and this needs to be noted in the Confirmation and Baptismal register (in the parish where baptism occured). In our diocese, most Catholic adults who need Confirmation are confirmed on the feast of Pentecost and all priests of our diocese do not need written permission for that day only.

 

[1ke]

This seems to say that even though I am a candidate I cannot participate in the Eucharist. Do you have insight on this one?

On a side note, everything I keep reading lists initiation in this order: baptism, penance, confirmation, Eucharist. Is this the proper order, should I have received the Eucharist before confirmation?

The insight on this one is a “candidate” is someone who is baptized in a non-Catholic denomination.

YOU are not a candidate. You are a Catholic.

You should not be in RCIA at all. You should be in adult confirmation class or instruction with your priest.

However, because of limited resources many parishes cannot run two programs. They often put adult Catholics seeking confirmation in with those who are candidates and catechumens-- but for catechesis ONLY. They do NOT get treated like non-Catholics.

Your parish coordinator is woefully uneducated on things. I am sorry for that.

 

[RMRilke]

I, too, went through Confirmation preparation as an eleven-year-old, but the night of confirmation (I had chosen St. Francis as my confirmation saint) something happened to my brother and we counldn’t attend the ceremony. I never went back to be confirmed. What does this mean for sins that were committed without the blessing or covering of the Holy Spirit? What does this mean for Reconcilation? Was I truly a Catholic during this time? I am coming back to the Church after a 30-year absence.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I, too, went through Confirmation preparation as an eleven-year-old, but the night of confirmation (I had chosen St. Francis as my confirmation saint) something happened to my brother and we counldn’t attend the ceremony. I never went back to be confirmed. What does this mean for sins that were committed without the blessing or covering of the Holy Spirit? What does this mean for Reconcilation? Was I truly a Catholic during this time? I am coming back to the Church after a 30-year absence.

If you were baptized Catholic, you are still Catholic. To come back to the Church, you need to make a good confession, and then start attending Mass and receiving the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confession regularly. (I am assuming that you have already made your first Confession and first Communion. If not, a priest can help you prepare for these sacraments, but you are still Catholic.)

Once baptized a Catholic, you are a Catholic for life. Baptism puts an indelible mark on your soul.

Any sins you committed can be forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession, Penance). God’s mercy is without bounds. Isn’t that great?!

You received the Holy Spirit at Baptism. He remains with you throughout your life, unless you separate yourself from Him by serious sin. He is waiting eagerly to come back to anyone who repents and confesses their sins.

At Confirmation, the Holy Spirit comes to you in a fuller, more abundant way, preparing you to live as a faithful Christian adult, even in times of persecution. Talk to your Catholic pastor about helping you receive this wonderful Sacrament.

We in the Church have missed you; hurry back, and welcome!

 

[Cory_G]

Update.

I contacted my Bishiop’s office this morning and I was told that the Parish Priest is the final authority on this subject. If he dismisses me from Mass than that is his decision. Also, if my Parish Pastor requires a 2 year RCIA program for me than that is what I must do. The Bishop’s office stated that they will not override a Parish Pastor’s decision.

I emailed everything to the Vicar General for help and guidance. I am anxiously waiting to hear from him.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Update.

I contacted my Bishiop’s office this morning and I was told that the Parish Priest is the final authority on this subject. If he dismisses me from Mass than that is his decision. Also, if my Parish Pastor requires a 2 year RCIA program for me than that is what I must do. The Bishop’s office stated that they will not override a Parish Pastor’s decision.

I emailed everything to the Vicar General for help and guidance. I am anxiously waiting to hear from him.

Did you talk directly to the pastor first? That would seem the logical and charitable thing to do.

 

[Cory_G]

Did you talk directly to the pastor first? That would seem the logical and charitable thing to do.

My Pastor is the one who dismissing me from Mass and assigned me to the RCIA class. He is fully aware of what he is doing.

 

[jmcrae]

My Pastor is the one who dismissing me from Mass and assigned me to the RCIA class. He is fully aware of what he is doing.

Yes, but is he fully aware that you are not a Catechumen? Is he fully aware that you are already a Catholic?

 

[Cory_G]

Yes, but is he fully aware that you are not a Catechumen? Is he fully aware that you are already a Catholic?

He knows my entire situation from my birth, to baptism, to catechism, to first confession, first communion. We went over everything and instructed me to meet with our RCIA director. Who I then sat with for an hour explaining my entire life and here we are.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

He knows my entire situation from my birth, to baptism, to catechism, to first confession, first communion. We went over everything and instructed me to meet with our RCIA director. Who I then sat with for an hour explaining my entire life and here we are.

But perhaps your pastor is not aware that you are unhappy with the situation. He can’t read your mind.

 

[Cory_G]

But perhaps your pastor is not aware that you are unhappy with the situation. He can’t read your mind.

You make a good point. He cannot read my mind. But he knows my situation, same as this forum. Everyone here is in agreement that I am a Catholic, so why wouldn’t he?

Would it be wrong to assume that my parish pastor has more, or at least as much, knowledge as our community members?

I have no idea why he chooses to dismiss me from mass and requires a 2 year RCIA program the same as a non-baptized person who has had zero instruction from he Church.

In the end, the Bishop’s office refuses to act as a mediator. I am in no intellectual position to argue any case against the parish pastor.

This all has me feeling really drained. I really feel lost here.