Convalidation and Receiving the Sacraments

[ComingHome6]

Hi, all.

Long story short - I’ve been in RCIA for a couple of years now while awaiting my husband’s declaration of nulity. We just received it :extrahappy: My pastor mentioned having our convalidation followed by my baptism, confirmation and first communion. I am so happy and excited I can barely contain myself! Anyone ever experience this? I have no idea what to expect.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

:dancing: :extrahappy: :dancing: :extrahappy: :dancing:

 

[Phemie]

Hi, all.

Long story short - I’ve been in RCIA for a couple of years now while awaiting my husband’s declaration of nulity. We just received it :extrahappy: My pastor mentioned having our convalidation followed by my baptism, confirmation and first communion. I am so happy and excited I can barely contain myself! Anyone ever experience this? I have no idea what to expect.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

:dancing: :extrahappy: :dancing: :extrahappy: :dancing:

A convalidation (making your legal marriage valid in the Church) is essentially getting married in the Church.

You will repeat your vows in front of a priest or deacon and two witnesses. You can make that as simple as limiting it to just the 5 of you or making it a family celebration with guests & party afterwards. It’s up to you.

 

[benedictgal]

We had an similar situation at the Cathedral. However, it was the groom who needed to be baptized. What the rector did was have the baptism before the convalidation. The husband’s in-laws wound up being the sponsors. The wife and children were there. Immediately afterwards, the Mass began and the husband got to receive the rest of the sacraments.

 

[Phemie]

We had an similar situation at the Cathedral. However, it was the groom who needed to be baptized. What the rector did was have the baptism before the convalidation. The husband’s in-laws wound up being the sponsors. The wife and children were there. Immediately afterwards, the Mass began and the husband got to receive the rest of the sacraments.

Although I don’t understand why they wouldn’t have the convalidation immediately and the initiation at the Vigil. After all, the Catholic party shouldn’t have to refrain from receiving Communion until the Vigil.

 

[benedictgal]

Although I don’t understand why they wouldn’t have the convalidation immediately and the initiation at the Vigil. After all, the Catholic party shouldn’t have to refrain from receiving Communion until the Vigil.

Yes, this also happened at the Cathedral, although both parties were received into the Church, with one needing baptism. In fact, in a show of support, the entire RCIA class stayed behind after the Vigil Mass for the convalidation. It was really nice.

By the way, to the OP, congratulations!

 

[Phemie]

Yes, this also happened at the Cathedral, although both parties were received into the Church, with one needing baptism. In fact, in a show of support, the entire RCIA class stayed behind after the Vigil Mass for the convalidation. It was really nice.

By the way, to the OP, congratulations!

If neither of them was Catholic when they married why would they need a convalidation in the first place? Once their other marriages where deemed null wouldn’t their marriage be deemed valid???

 

[benedictgal]

If neither of them was Catholic when they married why would they need a convalidation in the first place? Once their other marriages where deemed null wouldn’t their marriage be deemed valid???

In my haste to type, I should have stated that this was a wedding. Mea culpa.

 

[ComingHome6]

Maybe I should clarify a bit. My husband is Catholic and I am unbaptised. When we first started the process, our pastor felt it would be a “slam dunk” because of our situation. Needless to say, it was a very long and difficult experience. Since we’ve waited so long, our pastor wants to convalidate our marriage and baptize me the first available Sunday (doesn’t want us to wail until Easter Vigil).

Just curious and excited! Thanks be to God that our wait is almost over!!!

 

[ajobst]

ComingHome I am very happy for you as your excitement builds to have your marriage blessed in the Catholic church.

I have a similar question as to some friends that were both baptized as Lutherans, got married as Lutherans then both converted to catholicism. My understanding is that the Catholic Church recognizes their Christian baptisms as valid, but they had to then live as singles until they had their marriage convalidated, which they chose to conduct a the whole wedding mass as if it were their first time getting married. When they converted would both their baptism and marriage then be recognized as valid? I know that this topic can get very complex…

 

[Phemie]

ComingHome I am very happy for you as your excitement builds to have your marriage blessed in the Catholic church.

I have a similar question as to some friends that were both baptized as Lutherans, got married as Lutherans then both converted to catholicism. My understanding is that the Catholic Church recognizes their Christian baptisms as valid, but they had to then live as singles until they had their marriage convalidated, which they chose to conduct a the whole wedding mass as if it were their first time getting married. When they converted would both their baptism and marriage then be recognized as valid? I know that this topic can get very complex…

Normally the marriage of two baptized Lutherans would be deemed valid and sacramental. I fail to see why they would have required a convalidation. A renewal of vows in the Catholic Church to celebrate this happy occasion? Sure, why not? But not a convalidation.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Normally the marriage of two baptized Lutherans would be deemed valid and sacramental. I fail to see why they would have required a convalidation. A renewal of vows in the Catholic Church to celebrate this happy occasion? Sure, why not? But not a convalidation.

Perhaps their marriage was considered invalid for a reason other than their being Lutheran (a marriage between two Lutherans can certainly be valid). It is possible that, for example, one of them had a prior marriage that needed to be annulled before the Catholic Church would consider them free to marry.