What to do UNTIL baptism?!?

[joe_cuban]

First, let me say that I apologize if this question has been asked many times before. If so, please direct me to the appropriate link, but I couldn’t find a precise answer to my question, so…

My sister and I are not baptized, but do consider ourselves Christian. We want to enter the Catholic Church, but have for sundry reasons missed the beginning of the local RCIA program for the last couple years. We each struggle with different things that have, each time, caused us to lapse and to fall away from the truth of the Church.

Now we’re back. We want to get involved again. The only “problem” is that we are really unclear and concerned about certain things. Since we have not been baptized, and are not members of the Church, it is my understanding that the sacraments are not available to us. What, then, are we to do as we wait for the next year if we fall into mortal sin but cannot confess? I guess in general, what is recommended for folks like us who have to come to believe what the Church teaches, but who cannot come into full communion with it for some time?

 

[Della]

First of all, kudos to you and your sister for desiring to enter fully into the life of the Church!

As to your question, don’t fret. God knows the intentions of your heart. While we human beings are bound by the sacraments, God isn’t. Your very desire for baptism is a God-given grace that will allow you to remain faithful until you can receive the sacrament itself.

So, in the meantime, pray. Try praying a form of Morning and Evening Prayer for lay people. Ask your local Catholic bookstore for something suitable. Or pray the rosary.

Attend Mass, especially all Sunday Masses and Holy Days of Obligation. You may not be able to receive the Eucharist, but you can participate in every other way, so do so.

And get involved with a small parish group/Bible study. It will help you over the summer months to be more connected to the parish.

And sign up for RCIA as soon as it is offered again. God is with you and wanting to see you happily ensconced in his Church. He’s reaching out to you, so just trust him and all will be well.

 

[stbruno]

There is always private instruction by your pastor or someone in your diocese. However, the point is…you have to place this as a priority in your life. Not something you wish to do when you have the time. This has to be the primary effort in your life. If you work evenings, set up instruction at a more convenient time with the RCIA team in your parish. Most are very accomodating. Pray and pray always

 

[joe_cuban]

Della and stbruno,

Thank you both for your comments. Your thoughts and ideas echo most of those that I’ve had, but it’s good to hear them from someone else.

 

[palmas85]

joe_cuban:

First, let me say that I apologize if this question has been asked many times before. If so, please direct me to the appropriate link, but I couldn’t find a precise answer to my question, so…

My sister and I are not baptized, but do consider ourselves Christian. We want to enter the Catholic Church, but have for sundry reasons missed the beginning of the local RCIA program for the last couple years. We each struggle with different things that have, each time, caused us to lapse and to fall away from the truth of the Church.

Now we’re back. We want to get involved again. The only “problem” is that we are really unclear and concerned about certain things. Since we have not been baptized, and are not members of the Church, it is my understanding that the sacraments are not available to us. What, then, are we to do as we wait for the next year if we fall into mortal sin but cannot confess? I guess in general, what is recommended for folks like us who have to come to believe what the Church teaches, but who cannot come into full communion with it for some time?

The first thing you need to do is get started. Join the RCIA program in your parish. There is no quick way to join the church. The important thing is you need to get started. As far as falling into mortal sin well, that is something that only you can control. But if you are an adult you may very well already be in a state of mortal sin. I was for several years at one point in my life. You are quite correct in that the sacraments are not available on a general basis to you although some can be administered in emergency situations…

The big question that I would have is why the delays in getting started? This path has to be a priority in your life. It is very easy to say you want to do something. It is much harder to actually do it in many cases.

If this is what you really want, then I say do it. Get started and don’t stop. I’ll pray for you and I’m sure many on this forum will as well.