Can I receive the Eucharist without convalidation?

[isaac.madsen]

First off, thank you Catholic Answers for the part you played in my conversion several years ago. Sadly, though I am a convert, I’ve had several periods of inactivity in the catholic faith.

I’m not very knowledgeable on many topics because I wasn’t raised in the church, so I rely on people around me to teach me the dos and don’ts of Catholicism. Each community seems to have different traditions and preferences.

One thing that has been bothering me is my lack of activity in the church. I was married 5 years ago to another Catholic, but we rushed into a civil marriage because I was in the military, and my fiancé lived across the country. We just wanted to be together, and we have been ever since! However, we still have not had a convalidation of our marriage.

Because of this, my wife says we are living in mortal sin, and can neither go to confession, nor receive the eucharist. I barely even bother going to mass as all because of this. Are her assumptions true? I want to have a valid marriage in the eyes of the church and God, and I want to be able to go to confession and receive the Eucharist. What am I supposed to do first?

 

[Vico]

First off, thank you Catholic Answers for the part you played in my conversion several years ago. Sadly, though I am a convert, I’ve had several periods of inactivity in the catholic faith.

I’m not very knowledgeable on many topics because I wasn’t raised in the church, so I rely on people around me to teach me the dos and don’ts of Catholicism. Each community seems to have different traditions and preferences.

One thing that has been bothering me is my lack of activity in the church. I was married 5 years ago to another Catholic, but we rushed into a civil marriage because I was in the military, and my fiancé lived across the country. We just wanted to be together, and we have been ever since! However, we still have not had a convalidation of our marriage.

Because of this, my wife says we are living in mortal sin, and can neither go to confession, nor receive the eucharist. I barely even bother going to mass as all because of this. Are her assumptions true? I want to have a valid marriage in the eyes of the church and God, and I want to be able to go to confession and receive the Eucharist. What am I supposed to do first?

It is lack of form of marriage for one that is Catholic at the time of a civil marriage celebration. As a result it is not a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church. To return to the sacraments requires confession with proper disposition. Proper disposition includes that one truly intends to avoid the near occasion of sin.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Your wife is correct that your civil marriage is not considered valid by the Church. Assuming that there are no impediments, e.g., spouses; this is a simple matter to fix. Speak to your pastor and get it done.

Are you in a state of mortal sin? I don’t know. You may have simply been ignorant at one time, but it is something that needs to be regularized.

 

[1ke]

Because of this, my wife says we are living in mortal sin, and can neither go to confession, nor receive the eucharist.

Well, it’s grave matter. Whether it has been a sin in the past depends on what you knew when you did it. Now that you know the gravity of what you did, you two should take steps to fix it. Convalidation is not difficult. Do not delay.

Regarding going to confession and receiving the eucharist, talk to your priest not strangers on the internet. The priest may talk to you about ways to receive absolution and resume the sacraments-- such as living as brother and sister until convalidation. You should seek your pastor’s council.

. I barely even bother going to mass as all because of this.

You have a serious obligation to attend mass, regardless of whether you can receive communion at mass. You need to go to mass.

Are her assumptions true?

Not entirely. Again, go talk to your priest!!!

I want to have a valid marriage in the eyes of the church and God, and I want to be able to go to confession and receive the Eucharist. What am I supposed to do first?

Sit down with your priest. Make a plan for convalidation. And follow his direction on confession and eucharist.

 

[steve-b]

First off, thank you Catholic Answers for the part you played in my conversion several years ago. Sadly, though I am a convert, I’ve had several periods of inactivity in the catholic faith.

I’m not very knowledgeable on many topics because I wasn’t raised in the church, so I rely on people around me to teach me the dos and don’ts of Catholicism. Each community seems to have different traditions and preferences.

One thing that has been bothering me is my lack of activity in the church. I was married 5 years ago to another Catholic, but we rushed into a civil marriage because I was in the military, and my fiancé lived across the country. We just wanted to be together, and we have been ever since! However, we still have not had a convalidation of our marriage.

Because of this, my wife says we are living in mortal sin, and can neither go to confession, nor receive the eucharist. I barely even bother going to mass as all because of this. Are her assumptions true? I want to have a valid marriage in the eyes of the church and God, and I want to be able to go to confession and receive the Eucharist. What am I supposed to do first?

Re: having a marriage blessed, and surrounding questions, here is an answer from canon law

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

 

[vallancec]

You should talk to a priest about what to do next.