My wife and I were just married outside of the church. We were both raised Catholic, but both of us were away for so long that we didn't really consider getting married in the church. We think that we would like to get back into the religion for our future children. Does anyone know what the process would be to have our marriage recognized by the Catholic church? Do we just have to go through the whole six month process, and have a Catholic wedding? Please only give civil answers, we are only now considering becoming religious again and I don't want to be turned further away by anyone.
2007-10-17 10:08:48 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Church recognizes your marriage already.
It can and will bless the marriage bond that already exists.
This is called a Convalidation of Marriage and may be able to happen during a Mass.
Here is an article about the steps involved: http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0604.asp
Talk to your parish priest to get the process started.
For more information, see the Code of Canon Law, paragraphs 1156 and following: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P46.HTM
With love and prayers in Christ.
2007-10-17 16:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1) The Catholic church has no problem recognizing marriages that she herself would normally recognize. You have been asked if neither of you has been married before. If this is true, then you are married, as far as the church is concerned.
We also got married civilly before we got married in church (we were in school in different states then), and we were asked to answer YES to the question: Have you been married before?
2) Yes, you and your wife should talk to the priest, together. This is the usual protocol, even for engaged couples.
3) Indeed, technically, the union will just be 'blessed' by the church, however, it looks like a real wedding, readings, vows and all. There was noone at our civil wedding, and only the matron of honor and best man at our 'church wedding'.
4) Two seminars (Christian marriage, and natural family planning), $65 each seminar per couple, includes lunch, materials, and certificate.
5) But I guess what bothers me most is this: why do you really want to go back now? Because you intend to raise Catholic children? I don't know how you can do that, if, deep down, you are not personally convinced?
And yes, when it comes to children asking questions about God,souls, death, good, evil, salvation, etc: the best tack is to answer simply, honestly.
Good luck.
2007-10-17 12:15:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi & thanks for asking.
What you need to do is meet with a priest and ask him how you can have your marriage "convalidated" and start going to church again.
Convalidation sometimes involves the long counseling process, but for couples who have been married for a long time, it's usually just one or two counseling sessions with the priest to show that you understand the sacramental nature of marriage. A convalidation can happen at any time after the priest is satisfied -- it can be a very private thing with just you two and the priest, or you can invite family or make it a bigger deal if you want to.
Since you've been away from the Church for a long time, you will more than likely each have to make a profession of faith as well, and you will certainly each have to go to confession before you can receive the Holy Eucharist.
The priest may or may not require you to attend RCIA classes (adult catechism), read some books, etc., to make sure you are educated enough to make a profession of faith with a solid commitment.
However, you can start going to Mass whenever you like, beginning this Sunday if you want to. You'll have to refrain from receiving the Holy Eucharist until your marriage is convalidated and you've been to confession, but there's no reason not to go and get back into the swing of things.
Welcome back and I very much admire your foresight in doing this before you start having kids. It's much easier to get back into regular Mass attendance without kids. :-)
2007-10-18 05:39:17 · answer #3 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you and your wife would like to become involved in the Catholic Church again, there is a program called "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" or RCIA. You can call some Catholic churches in your area, find out who directs the RCIA program, and ask to speak to that person. Tell him or her your situation and find out what the program is like, because it can differ in different parishes. Essentially you will spend some time (usually in a group of people who are either returning to the Church after a long time away or who are converting to the Catholic faith) reviewing the teachings, beliefs, and sacraments. No, you will not have to have a Catholic wedding, but there is a process whereby you repeat your vows and your marriage is "blessed." Good luck, and God bless!
2007-10-17 10:23:33 · answer #4 · answered by meatpiemum 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is fairly easy.
First, gather your marriage documents and make an appointment with a priest.
He will help you file the necessary paperwork. Yes, you will need to go through pre-marriage counseling so you understand the responsibilities in a Catholic marriage.
Then you go to Confession ( because you are living in fornication by marrying outside of the Church) and have your marriage convalidated ( the technical term for 'blessed')
- DO NOT receive the Eucharist until your marriage is straightened out.
2007-10-19 07:45:47 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should speak with the local parish priest and find out specifically, but it seems that if you have been Baptized, received Holy Communion and have been Confirmed, then all you would need is the Sacrament of Reconciliation to return to the Church and then you could have your marriage blessed in the Church. You would not have another wedding, only a blessing. But RCIA never hurts. P.S. This forum is rampant with anti-Catholics. Forgive them for they know not what they do.
2007-10-17 10:42:50 · answer #6 · answered by Myth Buster 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Mormon and I married a Catholic in the Catholic Church. The only thing we had to do was take a short course on marriage. We believe in the same God as Catholics. We just take it a little bit further. To be sanctioned by the Catholic Church they prefer you be of their faith but it has not been a problem for us.
2016-05-23 04:58:56 · answer #7 · answered by iva 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go talk to the priest about this. You may need to go through the classes normally done for engaged couples so you will understand the Christian basis for marriage.
K, all Catholics are born again in the waters of Baptism and in Baptism a person receives the Holy Spirit. It sounds like they are wanting to reconnect with God because they see that God should be the center of a family. Instead of being judgemental, maybe you should encourage them.
2007-10-17 10:19:00 · answer #8 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
you can get a blessing through the church. however i will say you should take some lessons or regresher courses. you shouldn't just "do this" for your kids - faith is something you don't just do on sundays but a life style, a life period. forgive me if that sounds harsh but it is a full time committment - just like kids! WOW, kids..... there some fun ahead for you. i'm glad you are both thinking of coming back to the faith. i was away myself for quite some time and I thank God everyday that He let me make it back before something happened. If you two get a chance - read the book pierced by a sword. you can get it on line through st jude media. it's a real easy read and quite the page turner. did a number on me and made me reevlauate my "life" which was "exciting" but faithless -- which in turn meant lousy!
God bless you and welcome back!
2007-10-17 10:21:42 · answer #9 · answered by Marysia 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If parties are married civilly to each other, can parties be called a practicing catholic?
2016-04-04 02:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋