Are we confirmed in the Church when we marry?

[credo]

I was never confirmed in the Church 30 years ago because of some family concerns that doesn’t matter now.

When my wife and I became engaged to be married (we are both Catholic) she assumed that I would have to be confirmed before we could marry.

We sat down with the pastor of her parish and explained my situation. He said, “Oh do not worry. When you get married in the Catholic Church you are confirmed in the Church.”

That was all I needed to hear but my fiance was dumbstruck. I have never heard of this before or since. Has anyone ever heard of being confirmed when you get married?

PS I am a practising Catholic now and am learning new things everyday, especially with catholic.com. Thanks.

 

[Mike_C]

What was the priest smoking?
If you are single, and not Confirmed, then I guess you will never be Confirmed. I would ask for another opinion.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Credo,

Your priest’s answer makes no sense. Confirmation is a separate sacrament. You are not too old to receive it. Call the diocese and see if there is an adult confirmation program that you may attend. Normally the bishop reserves the right to confirm adults, so this is your best path.

Confirmation is not a requirement for marriage, but the Church does suggest that you be confirmed prior to marriage.

Deacon Ed

 

[duskyjewel]

Then that bishop who confirmed me in Texas would be surprised!

I was confirmed at the age of 22, while about 7 or 8 months pregnant, AFTER my marriage. (The look on the bishop’s face was priceless. He looked like he thought I might drop the kid on the altar steps!)

When we got married, we knew that I had to have been baptized in the Church, which I was. I made it to First Communion before my mom’s commitment petered out. However, I pursued Confirmation later, because I knew the my initiation was not complete, and I wanted to fix that. My marriage, though valid and canonical, had no effect on whether I was confirmed.

 

[puzzleannie]

I was never confirmed in the Church 30 years ago because of some family concerns that doesn’t matter now.

When my wife and I became engaged to be married (we are both Catholic) she assumed that I would have to be confirmed before we could marry.

We sat down with the pastor of her parish and explained my situation. He said, “Oh do not worry. When you get married in the Catholic Church you are confirmed in the Church.”

That. Thanks.

are you absolutely sure the priest really said that? I sure hope not because he is wrong.

No, a CAtholic is required to be fully initiated–baptism, confirmation and 1st communion–before marriage. You can prepare for confirmation while you are going through marriage prep. If for some reason you are not confirmed before the wedding date rolls around (because the bishop only confirms once a year, for example) that won’t hold up your wedding but you should continue with the confirmation class and be confirmed on the day set by the bishop.

Obviously marriage requires extraordinary grace, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and an adult commitment to the faith, all of which are fruits of the sacrament of confirmation.

 

[dylanschrader]

I can only reiterate the disbelief of others here. Was the priest sure that you were talking about the Sacrament of Confirmation?

A Catholic should be confirmed before he is married, definitely. If you were not confirmed, though, you should look into receiving that sacrament. Not your fault and not a huge problem, just a weird situation.

 

[dylanschrader]

Credo,

Your priest’s answer makes no sense. Confirmation is a separate sacrament. You are not too old to receive it. Call the diocese and see if there is an adult confirmation program that you may attend. Normally the bishop reserves the right to confirm adults, so this is your best path.

Confirmation is not a requirement for marriage, but the Church does suggest that you be confirmed prior to marriage.

Deacon Ed

Here’s what the Code says:

Can. 1065 §1. Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before they are admitted to marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was never confirmed in the Church 30 years ago because of some family concerns that doesn’t matter now.

When my wife and I became engaged to be married (we are both Catholic) she assumed that I would have to be confirmed before we could marry.

We sat down with the pastor of her parish and explained my situation. He said, “Oh do not worry. When you get married in the Catholic Church you are confirmed in the Church.”

That was all I needed to hear but my fiance was dumbstruck. I have never heard of this before or since. Has anyone ever heard of being confirmed when you get married?

PS I am a practising Catholic now and am learning new things everyday, especially with catholic.com. Thanks.

Canon Law requires a Catholic to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation before being Married if possible. You should call or write the Church you were Baptized in and ask them to send you or your parish a certified copy of you Sacraments. It will list if you have been Confirmed or not.

 

[lizaanne]

My father was married to my step-mother about 27 years ago in the Catholic Church and he has never been confirmed. (Marriage to my mother was invalid.) There was, and still is, nothing to prevent him from being confirmed. He’s just not interested.

~Liza

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

duplicate post.