Preparing Children Who Are Not Baptized in the Roman Catholic ...

Preparing Children Who Are Not Baptized in the
Roman Catholic Church;
Preparing For and Celebrating
The Act of Reception into Full Communion
At the time of the parent information meeting and at the time of formal registration for the
preparation process it is not unusual to encounter families whose children are not baptized
members of the Roman Catholic Church. Often the children are baptized in the Anglican or
Protestant Church. On occasion, the child will have been dedicated in the Baptist or
Evangelical Church or the Salvation Army. If the child was dedicated he or she is not baptized
and it is necessary to refer the family to the pastor. Please refer to the section Preparing
Children for Baptism and First Eucharist found in this resource on page 28.
The parish coordinator or catechist must be aware of the need to ask for and receive Baptismal
certificates for all children. It is imperative that the parents provide the Baptismal certificates
before the formal preparation begins. At the initial parent meeting, the facilitator or presenter
needs to explain clearly to parents the need to have a copy of the child’s Baptismal certificate
and the need for parents to contact the parish immediately if their child is not baptized or was
baptized in another Christian tradition. Often parents do not understand or grasp the fact that
we share one Christian Baptism but we do not have an open Table. Therefore, children
baptized in other Christian churches are not free to come and receive First Eucharist without
reception into Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church.
When children have been validly baptized in another
Christian tradition prior to celebrating the sacraments of
Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation in the Roman
Catholic Church, they are to be received into Full
Communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The act of
being received into Full Communion is not to be confused
with or linked to First Eucharist.
For a reference list of Baptismal Churches please turn to
page 31. The Ecumenical Directory published by the
Secretariat for Christian Unity in 1967 has stated: “The
practice of conditional baptism of all without distinction
who desire to enter full communion with the Roman
Catholic Church cannot be approved. The sacrament of
baptism cannot be repeated and, therefore, it is not permitted to confer it again conditionally
unless there is a reasonable doubt about the fact or validity of the baptism already conferred.”
Children baptized in the Orthodox Churches are validly baptized. If the parents seek to have
their child become a member of the Latin Church, you need to contact the Chancellor for
Spiritual Affairs for direction and guidance.
Although the Act of Reception is simple and straightforward, it is necessary to provide a time of
preparation for the parents and children. The Act of Reception into Full Communion is not
considered a mere formality. The preparation leading to celebrating the Act of Reception will
include catechesis for the parents and children, prayer and Sunday worship.
© Invited to the Feast, Catholic Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Toronto, 2005.
All rights reserved.
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The pastor or catechist will work with the parents so that they understand the implications of
asking for their child to be received into Full Communion. Knowledge of the reasons why
parents chose to baptize their child in a sister Church will assist in designing the most
appropriate preparation and catechesis for the child and his or her family.
When designing the preparation process for children who are
not baptized in the Catholic Church, it will be necessary to
meet the parents and discern their needs. The child is
prepared for the Act of Reception in a manner appropriate to
his or her age and development. This time of preparation
would stretch over a period of months, thereby providing time
for the families to worship during the various liturgical
seasons.
For families who have been absent from the weekly Sunday
Eucharist, the catechesis will be decidedly different than the catechesis for families who have
been active members of the Catholic Church all of their child’s life. When a family has been
absent from the Sunday Eucharist, the children will require INITIAL preparation similar to the
catechesis provided in our Catholic schools. This INITIAL preparation may include time for family
sessions devoted to praying as a family, celebrating the liturgical year in Church and home and
living a Catholic way of life.
In practical terms, it may be necessary to provide a preparation process leading to the Act of
Reception into Full Communion and First Communion, which parallels the preparation for First
Communion for children baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. It is important to provide
formation and training for a catechist who will be journeying with these families. When possible,
the preparation for children baptized in another Christian tradition is separate from the
preparation for unbaptized children.
The Act of Reception into Full Communion is celebrated within the context of a Sunday liturgy.
If the child has reached the age of reason, he or she would also celebrate First Eucharist during
the same liturgy. It is improper to receive the child into Full Communion with the Catholic
Church and not welcome the child to the Table of the Eucharist. The two celebrations are held
at the same time. The Act of Reception into Full Communion follows the homily. The outline for
the Act of Reception into Full Communion can be found on page 159 of the Appendices.
For pastoral notes on the time of preparation and formation, please read the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (CCCB, Concanan Inc., 1987) Part II, Chapters 4 and 5 and the revised
(2004) Pastoral Guide for the Implementation of the R.C.I.A., Archdiocese of Toronto.
© Invited to the Feast, Catholic Office of Religious Education, Archdiocese of Toronto, 2005.
All rights reserved.
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