Can a remarried catholic ever receive communion again?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jrp72
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jrp72

Guest
I am feel compelled to return to the Catholic Church. I was married to a Catholic in the church back in 1997. We divorced in 2009. I was remarried in 2013 to a non-catholic. I have been attending a non-denominational church for the past 5 years. Something is missing. I feel I need to return to mass. My current wife has not interest in even listening to my reasons why I feel the pull that I do. My biggest question now is will I ever be able to receive communion again? And also open to suggestions of how to proceed to get my wife, who was raised as a strict Baptist, how to be more open to what I feel I should be doing.
 
Last edited:
Were you already baptized and confirmed and received your first Communion in the Catholic Church?

If so, all you need to do is go make a good confession and be absolved and then you can receive communion as long as you remain in the state of grace. However, if you are going to be continuing in your marriage, you will likely need to seek an annulment and while doing so, live as brother and sister with your current wife, since technically you are still married to your first wife in the eyes of the Church until you are able to obtain an annulment.

I recommend you make an appointment with your priest to discuss your situation.
 
Last edited:
Welcome back brother! I encourage you to continue to reestablish union with Our Holy Catholic Church.

In regards to your marriage I highly suggest you contact a priest and he can guide you and help to assist you in your current marital situation. I wish you all the best.
 
Then you should go and speak to your priest about your overall situation, including marital situation. And follow what he says to do.
 
Last edited:
So nervous. I haven’t step foot in a Catholic Church in almost 10 years. Keep feeling the draw to return home, although I question if it is too late
 
I didn’t attend Mass for years myself and didn’t even have a marital situation responsible for it. Nothing to be nervous about, many of us on the forum here are reverts who were away from the Church for years. It’s totally normal, the priest will help you. Good luck and God bless.

P.S. It is the Holy Spirit calling you to come back.
 
Last edited:
Jrp72 said:
Keep feeling the draw to return home, although I question if it is too late
Click to expand...
As long as you are still breathing, it is never too late! Don’t be tempted to give up and not return. Make an appointment with your priest and he’ll help you with returning to the Sacraments and also about obtaining an annulment.

Welcome back home!
 
Jrp72 said:
Keep feeling the draw to return home, although I question if it is too late
Click to expand...
I felt the draw to the Church also (though I’m a convert rather than a revert), and I started out by just going to Mass. God then slowly gave me the graces to improve my life and the ability to see sin where I was obstinate before. Maybe God will help you get an annulment or maybe he’ll help give you insight into another truth in your life.
Welcome home, God bless and good luck!
 
Jrp72 said:
We divorced in 2009. I was remarried in 2013 to a non-catholic.
Click to expand...
Please see a priest as soon as you are able to answer your questions. Given the above information, you would not be able to receive communion until your marital situation is sorted out.

Please return to Mass even if you can’t receive. The graces you will receive will help you through the issues with you marital situation and with your wife.
 
Generally speaking the Church has stated that it cannot. It is not something “made up” by some bishops or popes, Christ himself spoke about this.

However, if you speak with your priest he may be able to better assist your specific case.

Also, the best way to speak to someone about our religion is through our actions. They always speak louder than our words. Follow all the Catholic Doctrine and commandments to the best of your ability (aided by God’s Grace) and I am sure your wife will open up, also do not forget to pray for her conversion.
 
Last edited:
Tis_Bearself said:
Were you already baptized and confirmed and received your first Communion in the Catholic Church?

If so, all you need to do is go make a good confession and be absolved and then you can receive communion as long as you remain in the state of grace. However, if you are going to be continuing in your marriage, you will likely need to seek an annulment and while doing so, live as brother and sister with your current wife, since technically you are still married to your first wife in the eyes of the Church until you are able to obtain an annulment.
Click to expand...
Right. But in a way - feels like the “brother and sister” arrangement is still deliberately putting one self in near occasion of sin (which is another grave sin like adultery) especially since the temptations will be there?
 
The person needs to talk to their priest about the overall situation. I will leave it at that because we should not be discussing a person’s personal situation on here like this, especially when they are expressing a wish to return to the Church. This is a matter for a priest to handle, not some hypothetical situation for everybody to throw in their two cents. You might scare the person away from the Church when they need encouragement from us and help from a priest.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
The person needs to talk to their priest about the overall situation. I will leave it at that because we should not be discussing a person’s personal situation on here like this, especially when they are expressing a wish to return to the Church. This is a matter for a priest to handle, not some hypothetical situation for everybody to throw in their two cents. You might scare the person away from the Church when they need encouragement from us and help from a priest.
Click to expand...
Very true, good point. Just something I wondered about when I hear of similar situations.
 
I’ve worked for the church for a long time. Nothing makes a priest, the parish staff, whomever you talk to, happier than when someone comes home after an absence. The Church misses you!!
 
You can certainly come to mass and make a spiritual communion. We would love to have you. Short of an annulment you would have to wait until one of your wives die. Facts are facts. Pope Francis seems to be willing to let remarried Catholics communion under certain conditions. Again discuss with your priest. Remember that God loves you and wants you with Him in heaven.
 
Welcome home! We missed you.
As already said, while things get straightened out, you can attend mass and have a spiritual communion. There is great grace available in the waiting, much like a couple who are engaged but not yet married. Think of it as a special time and try to have patience.
So glad you’re back.
 
Thank you everyone for the encouraging words and suggestions. My current wife is not supportive of my desire to return to the Church.
Makes it very difficult.
 
Yes, difficult…but with prayer and advice from a priest you will have help.

Be not afraid!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top