Participating in communion

[kern]

I have been going to a Catholic church with a few friends. I was baptized Catholic when I was 10, and had my first communion two years later, but then we moved soon after that and started going to a Presbyterian church where I was confirmed.

Basically, I'm not sure if I'm "eligible" for communion or not. I'm grateful for any help you can give me on this.

-Chris

 

[isshinwhat]

Great to have you back, Chris. I would recommend speaking with a priest at your closest church to be sure, but I believe that since you were baptised Catholic and received your First Communion, then all you would need to do before receiving again would be to seek forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I don't know, really, if the Confirmation would be considered valid or not, though.... I guess the best advice would be to call your priest, I'd probably just get you in trouble ;-)

Neal

 

[nyj]

Originally posted by kern
I have been going to a Catholic church with a few friends. I was baptized Catholic when I was 10, and had my first communion two years later, but then we moved soon after that and started going to a Presbyterian church where I was confirmed.

Basically, I'm not sure if I'm "eligible" for communion or not. I'm grateful for any help you can give me on this.

-Chris

Since you have already had the sacrament of Holy Communion, I think that receiving the Eucharist should not pose a problem. That is of course if you still believe in the Real Presence. However... I think it would be prudent to seek out a priest (probably from the parish you have attended) and ask for his guidance. You would probably want to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation first, before receiving the Eucharist. Since you were baptised Catholic, and received Holy Communion as a Catholic, I doubt RCIA would be necessary. Probably just Reconciliation prior to receiving the sacrament.

Welcome home Chris.

 

[kern]

Could you tell me more about confession and the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Actually, what I really need is a sort of "newbies guide to Catholicism" -- even though I went to Catholic church as a young lad it's been too long for me to remember many of the specifics. I tried looking on the internet, but everything I found was apologetic/defensive in nature; not really what I'm looking for.

A book is fine too

-Chris

 

[isshinwhat]

www.newadvent.org is a great site. It has the old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Catechism, as well as Early Church Fathers writings on it. I would be good to go and get a Catechism of the Catholic Church from a bookstore. It would make for hard reading, straight through, but it is great for referencing.

Neal

 

[isshinwhat]

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

here is the CCC online.

Neal

 

[nyj]

Originally posted by kern

Actually, what I really need is a sort of "newbies guide to Catholicism" -- even though I went to Catholic church as a young lad it's been too long for me to remember many of the specifics.

A book that I have found to be quite useful is one by Alan Schreck, entitled "Basics of the Faith : A Catholic Catechism".

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...8909027/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/002-6551915-7920065

You could also buy a copy of the New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism. It's super cheap (under three bucks), and it's available at any Catholic bookstore (I would hope!).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...8909214/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/002-6551915-7920065

 

[jukesk9]

I left the Church when I was 22 and married my wife in her Methodist Church. I came back to the Church, with wife in tow, at age 28. Before being able to participate in Communion, I had to get my marriage blessed by the Church and had to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So, if you're not married all you'd need to do is go to Confession.

 

[VOW]

To Kern:

I hope you have gone to see the parish priest by now. And I'm willing to bet that when you explained your story, you were given a big hug and welcomed back.

Please keep in mind, though, if you are returning to the Catholic Church, you should not participate in communion at the Presbyterian church again. The Presbyterians do not believe in the Real Presence, and they are not in full fellowship with the Catholic Church.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[kern]

Originally posted by VOW
To Kern:

I hope you have gone to see the parish priest by now. And I'm willing to bet that when you explained your story, you were given a big hug and welcomed back.

Please keep in mind, though, if you are returning to the Catholic Church, you should not participate in communion at the Presbyterian church again. The Presbyterians do not believe in the Real Presence, and they are not in full fellowship with the Catholic Church.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

Yay, you came back.

I think I'm just going to hold off for now. I'm only going to be in my current location for 5 more weeks, so I'll just enjoy the rest of the mass and not worry about the communion until I get a more permanent residence.

I have a question about your final statement there. Let's say I should visit my parents at some point and go to church with them (they go to a Presbyterian church). You are saying that I should not participate in the communion?

-Chris

 

[VOW]

To Kern:

Why don't you open a new thread on "The Real Presence"? Hoonbaba is studying the Catholic faith, and he'd probably appreciate a thorough discussion on that!

The short answer, is: no, you shouldn't. If you intend on rejoining the Catholic faith, your acceptance of the "mere symbolism" of a Protestant communion would be looked upon as a denial of the Real Presence. Out of respect for the Catholic teachings, as well as a respect for Presbyterian teachings, it's best not to try to mix the two.


Peace be with you,
~VOW