Child baptism and marraige acceptance outside of the Church

[Megwalters2288]

I have a child from my early twenties that my now husband accepted without difficulty. He is 10. My husband and I were not married in the Church but through a J.P. because I was pregnant when we were married. I realized no church would allow a ceremony with us. I was/am afraid to ask the local parish to baptize my oldest son and now my youngest son because I am extremely afraid they would say no because of my very poor decisions. I am afraid at this point because of my bad choices I have inadvertently harmed my sons spiritually and they will just have to wait until they are adults to choose to be baptized. I am also afraid after reading some truths about the Catholic church that God will not accept the marraige to my now husband whom I love very much. I have a good friendship with my eldest sons Father as we both realize the mistakes we made in our early years and just want to make the best of the situation. Tell me, am I over thinking the situation and allowing my anxiety to get the best of me? The guilt I have for all my poor decisions in my life weighs me down so much sometimes because I feel like I cannot come back from them.

 

[dollysro]

Hi, hopefully you can put all the fears aside to help you reach your goal. All that guilt is weighing you down and making it very difficult to move forward with positive actions.
Make an appointment with your parish priest to discuss these things.
With any luck you will receive the same response I did: WELCOME HOME!
Even the saints weren’t all born as such and many were sinners (like all of us).
All the best and please come back and let us know how you are doing.

 

[1ke]

I was/am afraid to ask the local parish to baptize my oldest son and now my youngest son because I am extremely afraid they would say no because of my very poor decisions.

Do not let fear rule you. Don’t waste precious time and energy being paralyzed by fear.

Simply make an appointment to speak to the pastor about your situation and desire to return to the sacraments and for your children to receive the sacraments also.

and they will just have to wait until they are adults to choose to be baptized.

No dear, they do not need to wait years and years. Your 10 year old is over the age of reason and will need to ask for baptism, after being instructed. Your younger child can be baptized after you and your spouse receive baptism prep.

I am also afraid after reading some truths about the Catholic church that God will not accept the marraige to my now husband whom I love very much.

You married civilly. Your priest can also help you bring your marriage into the church through convalidation.

Tell me, am I over thinking the situation and allowing my anxiety to get the best of me?

YES

The guilt I have for all my poor decisions in my life weighs me down so much sometimes because I feel like I cannot come back from them.

We can always come back from any sin. Dorothy Day has an abortion, and now her cause for sainthood is open and in progress. No one is beyond the love and mercy of God.

Talk to your priest!