Sacraments Of Initiation - Roman Rite

[Groo the Wanderer]

Here's something that I've wondered about every once in a while and would like to toss out for discussion.

We all know the 3 Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation/Chrismation. I have received all three.

My history is odd however. My mom had me baptized in the Church as an infant. I know this because I had my certificate. However, was not raised in the Church and knew nothing...zilch..nada until I went off to college at the age of 17. There, my buddy invited me to Mass and I fell in love with the Eucharist. I knew I was home.

Anyhoo. I did not receive communion of course. I pretty much began researching everything I could about the Church and accepted everything she teaches without question (at least the stuff I read about). At Mass, I cried because I could not receive Christ in the Sacrament. I decided I wanted to make my first Holy Communion so I asked my buddy what I had to do.

Not knowing my background, he answered in the best way he could I suppose. He told me I had to go to confession first. After that I could receive communion. So I researched how to go to confession. I learned how to make an examination of conscience, the proper form for confession, and the Act of Contrition. I went one Saturday and spent about 30 minutes in there. I also did my penance properly.

So that Sunday at Mass, I promptly presented myself for my first Holy Communion. I received my Confirmation from my Bishop a couple of years later through RCIA.


One thing to mention: I am a certified catechist and have been teaching for 8 years. As I look back, I find that my level of knowledge and understanding of both Reconciliation and the Eucharist was probably higher than that of most kids preparing in a formal setting.

So...my question. While this is not the normal way to prepare for one's first Holy Communion, is there any significant defect present?

Edited May 6, 2009 by Groo the Wanderer

[Resurrexi]

Why would there be?

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='Groo the Wanderer' post='1859583' date='May 6 2009, 01:25 PM']So...my question. While this is not the normal way to prepare for one's first Holy Communion, is there any significant defect present?[/quote]

No... while Confirmation, Marriage, and Ordination can only be received by a person who is validly baptized, anyone can validly receive Baptism, Reconciliation, and Holy Communion. Of course, without faith the grace of the sacrament will be limited, but it is offered nonetheless, just as God is always offering himself to us regardless of how we ignore or reject him. It certainly isn't licit to celebrate the sacraments "out of order" except in cases of near death, etc. Like you, I also technically received by "first" Communion sometime during college at one of the many Masses I attended with my cousin's family, and having grown up Lutheran, I also had a Confirmation and first Communion during middle school, so I've had three "first" Communions.

One I especially remember was actually at the first Communion for my cousin's daughter. Something in the homily on John 6 clicked and I believed... and received Communion as usual. That was a sincere conversion moment followed by a prideful act of rebellion against Church authority, but I remember that both because it was sincere and because it reminds me that I'm probably doing the same thing in some other way. No significant biblical character (besides Mary) and no saint in Church history is without their character flaws and errors, but God is gracious and merciful.

[MithLuin]

It was a misunderstanding - your friend thought you were a lapsed Catholic who wanted to go back to receiving communion, while not realizing that you had never received before. It probably would have been more appropriate if you spoke with a priest, so someone knew it was your first communion, but what you did wasn't wrong, either. You were baptized, you knew what communion was, and you prepared to receive Jesus by going to confession first. You certainly were old enough to have reached the age of reason . Preparing 'on your own' is hardly recommended, but that doesn't mean it didn't work out in your case. You weren't rejecting the instruction of the Church - you were just misinformed about the usual process. An honest mistake, but not something to worry about, I shouldn't think.

[inunionwithrome]

No everything was done right. Especially as teenagers a lot of the times, you are only going through with the Sacrament of Confirmation because you have too. You were brought to catechism classes and expected to behave well. As an older adult, you had more appreciated and value for the great wonders of these sacraments than if you had received not fully understanding anything that was taught. Were you confirmed before you became a catechist?

[Groo the Wanderer]

yep. Confirmed before marriage, kiddo, and getting called to serve.




I feel better now. I guess I knew the answer, just needed to hear it from someone else.

[virginiancatholic]

Sounds like you were given a great amount of grace, and Our Lord made it possible for you to return to the practice of the Faith. Yeah, you're fine.

[inunionwithrome]

That's great! Because we had one who just got confirmed this year but has been teaching a while. I personally found it offensive because all of us had been confirmed and some not given the chance to teach. But oh well. My mom got confirmed right before they got married too!