I am baptised and confirmed but also divorced and have remarried. I never married in church either time. Can i return to my church and go to mass ?
2007-08-24 00:25:17 · 24 answers · asked by cottontail 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, you may. Mass attendance is open to everyone, regardless of status.
However, to return to the full practice of your faith (including the reception of Holy Communion and the other Sacraments), you would have to have your current marriage blessed by the Church. (The official term is "convalidated".) Please make an appointment with your priest as soon as possible to discuss this process.
God bless you and welcome home!
2007-08-24 00:36:08 · answer #1 · answered by kcchaplain 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Canon Law recognizes as a legitimate marriage any ceremony performed in the presence of ANY clergyperson, faith unimportant. A rabbi, an imam, even a Druid priest. If the intent on the part of the couple is to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony and to wed, then wed they are.
Therefore, you need to see your parish priest, apprise him of the whole series of events, bring whatever documentation the diocesan marriage tribunal deems necessary (your priest will tell you what those are) and be prepared to swear affadavits.
On the whole, though, it's rare that the rather stringent requirements for a true sacramental marriage are present in full when the ceremony was NOT conducted by the laws of the Church or according to its traditions.
Remember, you only have to show that a true marriage never really occurred and an annulment (recognition that a true marriage never occurred) will be granted. And no, "greasing the skids" with money doesn't help, will probably hurt your efforts).
While this process continues, of course you may enjoy the consolations of the Mass, except for the receiving of Holy Communion under either specie.
2007-08-24 00:36:16 · answer #2 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES, you can return to your church and go to Mass as often as you like. You can also go to confession as soon as you are ready.
Above commentators are correct that you can't receive the Holy Eucharist just yet, but it sounds to me like you can rectify that in just a few months time.
You should call your local parish and set up an appointment with a priest ASAP. Go to Mass on Sunday even if you haven't met with the priest yet -- that's not a big deal. If you don't know which parish you belong to, call the chancery of your diocese and they'll tell you.
When you meet with a priest, explain to him that you want to return to full Communion with the Church, and then explain to him your marital situation.
You will need to have the first marriage annulled and the second marriage blessed. Receiving a decree of nullity for the first marriage ought to be a slam dunk because all you have to do is prove you were married by a justice of the peace without clergy present, and you'll get one based on "Lack of Canonical Form." This should only cost you around $200 for the paperwork and canon lawyers' fees.
Then to get your second marriage blessed, you'll have to observe whatever rules are stipulated by your particular diocese (they vary). You may have to go to 1-6 counseling sessions with the priest, for example. Then you and your spouse can have your marriage blessed. You can do this very quietly or you can invite family and friends -- it's up to you. I think there is generally a $20-$50 donation to the church suggested for this ceremony, but you'd have to ask to be sure, and it's never mandatory.
Your priest will very likely request that you attend RCIA courses as a "refresher" in Catholic Catechism. This is a free, weekly class that starts in September usually. Sometimes, they will offer accelerated programs for people in need; you can ask if a retired priest or sister in the area can give you private instruction to get you up to speed in a hurry.
If you've been away from the Church for a long time and/or dabbled in other religions, he will probably ask you to make a Profession of Faith as well as a good confession and getting your marriage blessed before you can receive the Holy Eucharist again.
I wish you all the best & welcome back!!!
2007-08-24 03:23:47 · answer #3 · answered by sparki777 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can go to mass but you MUST NOT recieve communion. Sorry, no beer & bikkies! But you do get options on hell and purgatory.
Only possible way out of the situation is Paulian Privilege which only applies if you were married to some one who had never been baptised into ANY Christian church
2007-08-24 00:59:46 · answer #4 · answered by Aine G 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Just because you didn't marry in a church doesn't mean you can't go back. It's not like everybody there is going to know this, so there shouldn't be a problem.
2007-08-24 00:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always return to your Church and go to Mass.
You should probably receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before receiving the Eucharist.
With love in Christ.
2007-08-24 15:40:15 · answer #6 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can most certainly attend Mass, but you can't receive communion unless you work out a few details with your priest first.
Make an appointment, fill him in on all the details, and see what needs to be done.
Don't put it off. Do it.
2007-08-24 01:43:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You'll have to let your Priest know of your past if you want to get married there. They need as much congregation as the next church.
2007-08-24 00:30:48 · answer #8 · answered by apple juice 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the catholic church see's divorce as a sin but were not in old ireland any more (maybe you never were in ireland) so i think it's ok for you to go.The catholi church has many followers in you position so don't worry to much.
2007-08-24 01:06:53 · answer #9 · answered by Kayl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can go to the mass, but will be unable to receive communion, you can of course go with the communicants for a blessing from the priest.
2007-08-24 00:35:47 · answer #10 · answered by joe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋