Hi Ya'll! Been a while since I posted, but I have a question. My husband, children , and I have been attending Mass for some time now. We are taking classes to to help with a complete conversion. My question is this, if we and the older 3 children (15 and 13 year old twins) are baptized Christians, and we understand and believe the meaning of the Eucharist, can we not partake of this sacrament? And I also wondered when we should begin going to confession? ( I realize we can not take communion until after we have made a good confession.) Thanks for any help with these questions.

God Bless

-- Suzanne (james-betsy@sbcglobal.net), August 27, 2004

Answers

Hello Suzanne!

Simply, I would ask your priest. It is best to follow his guidance, since he has been appointed as your shepherd by the Lord.

Cordially,

-- Michael (edwardsronning@prodigy.net), August 27, 2004.

Hi Suzanne,

How wonderful that you are taking steps to enter the Church. And it's also wonderful that you have such a great appreciation for and understanding of the Eucharist. While it is possible for special dispensations to be given for reception of the Eucharist by people in your situation, such dispensations are not granted freely by most bishops, and not without good reason. The Eucharist is the ultimate symbol of unity in the Body of Christ, the Church, and the ultimate expression of loyalty to and acceptance of that one body. As Scripture says, "Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread". (1 Corinthians 10:17) Those who have not yet completed instruction in the faith, and have not formally been received into the Church, are not yet fully incorporated into that unique unity which belongs to the Church Christ founded. Therefore they should not yet participate in the ultimate expression of that unity. It won't be long!

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), August 27, 2004.

Hi Suzanne,

I am in the same boat as you (ie. baptized Protestant, in the conversion process). Once you begin RCIA, they will instruct you about how to do confession. Only after that can you go to confession. Then later (likely Easter?) when you are fully received into the Church, only then may you receive the Eucharist. Talk to your priest ASAP about beginning RCIA! They usually start about this time of year.

Receiving before then would be a sin against Christ's body and blood as you would be directly defying the Church He established and His authority in the Church. I know it is difficult and the wait seems like forever (believe me I know)!

But what you can tell your children is this. At Christmastime when they get presents, if they are opened early or if you steal a peak, then Christmas morning is no longer as special or exciting. You ruined it for yourself.

A deeper example is that of a bride and groom. We, as the Church, are the Bride of Christ. Imagine attempting to consummate the marriage before the wedding day, the marriage to Christ. No way! The union between a bride and groom can be pure, holy, and beautiful when they await the proper time at which they are fully committed to each other in the sacrament. However, before that it would be sin and ugly. Do you see? The same is with Christ, and we, His Church.

Here are some questions that I asked awhile ago and the kind people of this forum helped me understand things better. I hope they help you too.

Meaning of the Eucharist

Why can't non-Catholics do confession?

God bless you, Suzanne! I am so excited about your conversion.

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), August 27, 2004.

Paul M., great response. It appears that we posted about the same time.

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), August 27, 2004.

Thank you so much for your help in this matter. We have a great longing and it is seeming to take forever just like you said Emily ! But classes just started and we are very excited about this. My husband, our daughters and myself are all taking thr classes. Our son will not be taking the classes as he is still very young and will learn from the rest of us. We have discussed with Father about him recieving baptism on the same day as our comformation! How exciting this all is ! Thanks again for the encouragement !

Thanks and Glory be to God !

-- Suzanne (James-Betsy@sbcglobal.net), August 27, 2004.

Dear Suzanne,

Glory to God always indeed. Praise be His Holy name. So happy that you are on the Greatest Road that all men should ever want to tread. May the Holy Spirit lead you all the way Amen.

God Bless. Ramanie.

-- Ramanie Weerasinghe (lilanw@yahoo.com), September 01, 2004.