to be baptised again?

[Espii]

I was baptised as a baby, honestly, I was quite angry at this a few years ago, i wasn't given a choice. I stopped going to church, i stopped praying. I feel kind of empty, like something's missing, I feel like if I get baptised, this time of my own choice, and start going to church and being one with God again, I might be able to feel something.
I also want to get married in a catholic church so thats a big thing for me
I don't know what to do. I will be doing this on my own and I'm a bit scared, scared I won't really feel part of it after trying to be in the congregation.
I just want to weigh up my options really, i don't really know. AIBU to be baptised again?

[esor]

Were you baptised a Catholic? I am not sure that you can receive the sacrament of baptism again, but you can make your confirmation, this is normally done around the age of 14 and a sacrament that you take 'confirming' that you want to be a Catholic. For either of these options you would have to attend a course and mass regularly, these will help you feel more included and sure that you are making the right decision.

[Espii]

esor Yes I was, as a baby. Im just kind of scared to take a step. I will probably get the piss taken out of me by DP's family. His stepfather is quite blunt and his talk of how religion is stupid upsets me. He will do it to wind me up. "where are you going, espii?"
"church."
"oh right, good luck learning lies "
thats how it goes. I'm quite scared but I want to take the step and become the catholic I was meant to be. I'm scared I won't feel part of the community either.

[NorwaySpruce]

As PP says, you can only be baptised into the Catholic Church once, then they consider you theirs for ever and ever!

There is no question of being allowed to do it again.

Have you been confirmed?

Or perhaps your church runs a course for lapsed Catholics, where you could become reacquainted with their teachings.

[squoosh]

You can only be baptised once. You're in, they own your soul.

Have you made your Communion or Confirmation?

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

I find it slightly odd you object to having been baptised, but want to be married in a Catholic church. If you want to be confirmed, you'd usually, I believe, have to learn the basics of Catholic teaching, and Catholics often do baptise babies and small children, with confirmation later.

Are you sure that's the Church that really attracts you most? There are other denominations where they'd be much more in sympathy with you feeling you should have been given the choice as an adult to decide on baptism.

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

I was confirmed as an adult after being baptised as a child. Very common. I took a course with several other people. It was great.

[Espii]

Communion yes, confirmation no. I never was confirmed because I rebelled tbh, I wasn't given a choice in my religion, i've researched all sorts, but I've been brought up catholic and it's the easiest to believe in. I might go to my local church and ask. :)

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

And btw, it's confirmation, not baptism, that would let you take Communion, so if you are looking to feel more part of the church community, baptism on its own wouldn't move you forward much even if it were theologically possible.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Cross post.

Sorry, I did not know there were Catholic churches that had done away with the requirement to be confirmed before taking communion, though I know some Anglican churches have done so in the last few years so I might have guessed.

[squoosh]

And btw, it's confirmation, not baptism, that would let you take Communion

Incorrect. Catholics always make their communion before confirmation.

[squoosh]

Sorry, I did not know there were Catholic churches that had done away with the requirement to be confirmed before taking communion

There is only one Cartholic church. Communion has always come first.

[firesidechat]

I've been baptised twice, although I'm not a Catholic so that may make a difference.

I was christened as baby in an anglican church despite the fact that my parents have never been believers or even churchgoers. I think it was just the done thing at the time. I then became a Christian in my late teens and had a full immersion baptism in a non denominational church.

I don't feel angry about the first baptism at all and certainly don't feel like the church owned me in any way, but as I said this wasn't a Catholic baptism and it is probably viewed very differently.

We didn't have our children christened either.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

squoosh, I'm sorry, I'm glad to know this. I didn't know. Sorry!

However, you're incorrect on the other - I was using capitals advisedly. There is one Catholic Church. There are many Catholic churches.

[Espii]

Baptism after birth, communion around 7, confirmation around 13/14. My mum was confirmed at 35, so I know it's never too late.

[WorraLiberty]

Yes communion is around the age of 7

Confirmation around the age of 10/11.

OP, why not go to your local church and see if you can make an appointment to speak to the priest?

He can probably get you involved in some groups, so you can make friends there. That way you might have some support on the day.

As for your FIL, you might have to develop a thicker skin I'm afraid.

[firesidechat]

There are lots of churches out there who have no "rules" about who can and can't take communion. They leave it up to your faith and what you consider appropriate.

[Espii]

"we belive in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. IN MANY CHURCHES!"
Guys, the word "church" doesn't sound right anymore
church
church

[RiverTam]

done away with? I did my First Communion at age 7 in 1978. Hasn't it always been like that?

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Probably it has, river, I'd got it wrong and squoosh had corrected me. I was generalizing from Anglicans, which is Bad and I shouldn't do it.

[squoosh]

However, you're incorrect on the other - I was using capitals advisedly. There is one Catholic Church. There are many Catholic churches.

Fair enough!

[Espii]

worra I will be going tomorrow to see if I can speak to him
and oh I know. I keep being told. He's very, very blunt. Doesn't care, says what he thinks. sometimes its very hurtful but oh well
fire i thought they were all the same, but I went to a roman catholic school & church. I don't live near the church anymore and the only one close enough to me is an angelical church and I don't know the difference

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

Honestly you need to go and talk to the priest.

I know CofE vicars are very good about dealing with different needs.

Confirming adults, and baptising and non baptised adults at the same time is very common.

DMILs lovely vicar, both did our wedding and arranged a promise free very beautiful welcome blessing for DD1, knowing that DH has faith and I don't and we wanted our DCs to decide for themselves.

[firesidechat]

I've been to loads of Anglican churches over the years, sometimes as a church member and sometimes as a visitor, and confirmation has never been a condition for taking communion. Even the very high church where may daughter got married were quite happy for us to take communion without any discussion of our eligibility.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

Thanks - and for being patient!

ep - in that case, maybe confirmation would just make you feel that you'd had an official 'welcome'? I'm honestly not pushing it (bit worried it comes across like that now!) and not Catholic, but seems as if you are bothered about this.

[bendybrickpumpkinpatch]

I'm sure there will be an adult faith course or something you could take at your church. Why not ring the parish or go into the church and look at the noticeboard etc ? The sunday newsletter given out at service is always a mine of information as well .

Oh and yes its making your Holy Communion that means you can receive communion bread etc at mass. Then you make your confirmation.
Can only be baptised once though.