Can my mom receive Communion now that she's a widow?

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UtahMaggie

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My mom and dad were first married in a civil ceremony then two years later had their marriage blessed in the Church. My mom was Catholic, my dad was not. Years later, they divorced and both remarried. My mom always told me that she missed being able to receive communion. Well, my stepdad passed away on New Years Day of this year. 😦 This may sound like a strange question but now that he is gone, can my mom go to Confession and then receive communion?

Maggie
 
If there is no annulment in the first marriage then the church did not recognize the second marriage and your mother must recognize that her second marriage was invalid and she must recognize and admit to the sin of adultry and then recieve absolution in the sacrament of pennace (confession).

In a nutshell if she goes to confession and confesses her second (invalid Marriage). I think that this scenario should be done with a sceduled appointment with a priest.
 
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decn2b:
If there is no annulment in the first marriage then the church did not recognize the second marriage and your mother must recognize that her second marriage was invalid and she must recognize and admit to the sin of adultry and then recieve absolution in the sacrament of pennace (confession).

In a nutshell if she goes to confession and confesses her second (invalid Marriage). I think that this scenario should be done with a sceduled appointment with a priest.
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She’d also have to start living as brother and sister with her husband until she can have the second ‘marriage’ validated i believe
 
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CatholicCid:
She’d also have to start living as brother and sister with her husband until she can have the second ‘marriage’ validated i believe
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Sorry, but the second husband is dead, right? I don’t think she’d have to live with his remains…just make an appointment with a priest for confession.
 
I do not see any need for an appointment. She simply goes to confession, confesses the sin, I would expect her to receive absolution and be able to receive Communion.
 
confession with absolution is all she needs. I just think that if she has been living for so long without a confession that it would be appropriate to schedule a long confession outside of the regular times. This would allow for a lengthy confession (like an hour or so) and not tie up a priest on saturday afternoon. I have experienced this very thing. Confession was an hour on saturday and there was 30 people in line. The second person was in the box for 45 min. That would be a case for a scheduled confession.
 
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decn2b:
confession with absolution is all she needs. I just think that if she has been living for so long without a confession that it would be appropriate to schedule a long confession outside of the regular times. This would allow for a lengthy confession (like an hour or so) and not tie up a priest on saturday afternoon. I have experienced this very thing. Confession was an hour on saturday and there was 30 people in line. The second person was in the box for 45 min. That would be a case for a scheduled confession.
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That’s why I said “appointment”, gentlemen. 🙂
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
Sorry, but the second husband is dead, right? I don’t think she’d have to live with his remains…just make an appointment with a priest for confession.
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Woops, my fault… I didn’t see “step” and thought it was 1st husband :o
+Points to sig area+ 😛
 
An important aspect of confession is that the person be truly sorry for the sin. If the wife had been living in sin willingly, one would hope that she regrets the sin and is sorry when confessing. If she is doing it without acknowledging the sin, she would not be absolved. (I think) It sounds like she misses communion, but her actions look like she was not concerned about their sinful nature. (unchaste life) I will pray for her and your family for the appropriate graces.
 
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UtahMaggie:
My mom and dad were first married in a civil ceremony then two years later had their marriage blessed in the Church. My mom was Catholic, my dad was not. Years later, they divorced and both remarried. My mom always told me that she missed being able to receive communion. Well, my stepdad passed away on New Years Day of this year. 😦 This may sound like a strange question but now that he is gone, can my mom go to Confession and then receive communion?

Maggie
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I would think so as long as she does not attempt another Marriage. She should speak with her pastor.
 
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Hawthorne:
An important aspect of confession is that the person be truly sorry for the sin. If the wife had been living in sin willingly, one would hope that she regrets the sin and is sorry when confessing. If she is doing it without acknowledging the sin, she would not be absolved. (I think) It sounds like she misses communion, but her actions look like she was not concerned about their sinful nature. (unchaste life) I will pray for her and your family for the appropriate graces.
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You’re right, she does miss receiving communion. She became inactive many years ago but still considered herself Catholic. After JPII died, she started attending Mass again and told me how much she misses receiving Communion.
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
Sorry, but the second husband is dead, right? I don’t think she’d have to live with his remains.
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Yeah, that would be difficult because he donated his body to the University of Utah medical center. 😃
 
Thanks everyone. I will pass along the information to my mom. I don’t think she has even realized that her situation has changed as far as receiving Communion. I’m sure she would make an appointment with her priest. I would also like to ask for your prayers for her.

May God bless you all,
Maggie
 
My mom just called me and said that she talked to her priest just now. He told her what everyone here said. All she has to do is go to Confession and then she can receive Communion! :dancing: :clapping: She is so happy! She said she now feels “complete”. I know how she feels. Thanks to all for your help because I don’t know if she would have had the courage to ask if she didn’t think she had a good chance. She had the courage because of your answers. Obviously, she has been so sad since her husband died and this has brought her true happiness.
May God bless you all,
Maggie
 
Good deal. I’ll continue to pray for her to have a fruitful confession.
 
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