I’m 20 and was christened a catholic as a baby. Due to personal reasons I never took my communion when I was a child. Id like to take it. Does anyone know if I would need to attend church before I can take it?

You have to go to church to take it, you should go to confession first, since you have not taken confession in many years. But after you take confession there should be no issue in taking communion.

You may wish to go talk to a local parish priest who may want you to come in and visit with him. Have you attended mass often, do you know much about the faith ?

Why would you want to take communion and not attend church? Do you understand the significance of communion? Do you understand its purpose as a sacrament? Communion isn't like stopping at McDonald's for a snack.

You would have to meet with a priest and discuss your beliefs if the communion you want to take is in the Catholic Church. I don't know what the requirements are regarding membership and church attendance. I would guess both would be strongly suggested.

If you want to take communion in a Protestant church, you would probably have to attend doctrine classes first, since communion and confirmation are closely entwined.

In any event, you would not have to be rebaptized.

Most of my family are strong catholics as is my mum. I believe in god and pray. I used to go to church most Sundays and on Wednesdays (I think) I would go for my communion lessons. Like I said due to personal family situations I was unable to go.
I never said I didn't want to go church I was just wondering if id need to take classes like I did when I was a child.
Thanks for all your help

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Originally Posted by kds87

I was just wondering if id need to take classes like I did when I was a child.

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Your question wasn't clear regarding your intentions. This explanation helps a lot. The priest would question you about your beliefs and, depending, might absolve you from doctrine classes. Like FrChuck said, though, you would have to go to confession before taking communion.

You might do well to study up on Catholic teachings meanwhile.

You might do well to study up on Catholic teachings meanwhile.[/QUOTE]

It sounds like your questioning my beliefs. Just because I don't go to church does not mean I love or believe in God any less than those who do. Like I mentioned earlier I never said I didn't want to go. Im just not sure how long one goes to church before they can take their communion.

I would suggest to anyone who wants to get back into a religion to study up on that religion and refresh their memory of doctrines.

I would guess the priest will ask you what you believe. If you are taking communion in a Catholic church with other Catholics, it probably would be good to know what they believe about the Virgin Mary or the saints or what happens during communion. It's more than just "loving and believing in God." (Protestant churches, on the other hand, do not pray to Mary or the saints and have an entirely different understanding of what happens at communion.)

I agree with Fr. Chuck.

There is no Church regulation that states you have to take any additional classes.

All you need to do is go to confession. Open up your heart and that Sunday at mass you can go to communion.

The priest and everyone would be delighted that you are back. While at mass, listen truly listen to all the readings and homilys. If things are "fuzzy", and you have a question you can always contact the rectory or convent and ask to speak to a Priest or Nun.

But to answer your question, all you need to do is go to confession to be able to receive communion again.

Wishing you all the best!

I was raised as a Catholic, but am now an atheist.

So, why don't you go to your local Catholic Church, go to the confessional and ask the priest what you should do... you want to have communion. Have your confession, do your penance, and I bet you can go to Communion the following day or Sunday. :)

Best wishes in 2008,

There is no real reuirements for communion except that you understand what it means, that is why smaller children go though a few classes for 1st communion. That is why I believe the one person said to perhaps study some in the catholic faith, since the priest may want to be sure you understand what communion means.