Convalidation experiences

[JED8643]

Guys,

I’m interested in the stories or experiences of Catholics who have had their marriages convalidated, either through an exchange of vows before a priest or through radical sanation. I understand why it needs to be done, I’m just looking for how the experience went for those who have been through it. My situation involves a wife who is Baptist and whose family is very anti-Catholic. We were married by her pastor and she might find it insulting that this needs to be done.

What was the experience like?

Did it take a long time or it a simple process?

How did your spouse react if he or she was not planning to convert to the Catholic faith?

Was there any adverse reaction to promising to raise the children Catholic?

I understand each situation is different and every pastor is different and I will be meeting with my local priest soon to go over the details of my situation.

Thanks so much

Jed

 

[Anne1964]

Guys,

I’m interested in the stories or experiences of Catholics who have had their marriages convalidated, either through an exchange of vows before a priest or through radical sanation. I understand why it needs to be done, I’m just looking for how the experience went for those who have been through it. My situation involves a wife who is Baptist and whose family is very anti-Catholic. We were married by her pastor and she might find it insulting that this needs to be done.

What was the experience like?
We met with the priest who explained the process. He gave us a booklet that outlined the ceremony. The priest explained to my husband why we needed to have our marriage convalidated and he helped us complete the paperwork.

Did it take a long time or it a simple process?
*Ours was a simple process because neither of us had been married before. Because my husband is Jewish, we had to ask for a dispensation from the Bishop, which was another form to fill out. Processing the paperwork took about month. Then we scheduled a time for the ceremony. Ours was very simple, with the priest and two witnesses present. Please note: Every situation is different. If either person has been divorced, that will have to be addressed first and it will take some time. The best thing to do is to explain your particular situation to your priest and he will guide you through the process. *

How did your spouse react if he or she was not planning to convert to the Catholic faith?
My husband wasn’t happy about it, but he agreed to do it for me. Yes, he was offended by it. Yes, he resented it, although he didn’t tell me this until two years later.

Was there any adverse reaction to promising to raise the children Catholic?
*Just to clarify, the non-Catholic spouse does not have to make this promise, but they are told that the Catholic spouse does. I seem to remember the priest showing my husband the form I signed about that. At this point it isn’t likely that we will have children, but if we did, he would object to them being raised Catholic.

My husband’s family is Jewish and he hasn’t told them we had our marriage convalidated, nor has he told them that I returned to the Church. They will more than likely never know as they are quite anti-Catholic.*

I understand each situation is different and every pastor is different and I will be meeting with my local priest soon to go over the details of my situation.

Thanks so much

Jed

 

[HolleyWilliams]

Hello

My husband and I had our marriage convalidated yesterday. I must say its was a lovely experience. It was exactly the same as a first time marriage, and much nicer in many ways than a civil ceremony. I was very moved as was my husband and its really brought us even closer together.

We chose to do this on that date because it was the 12th anniversary of the date that we met, which made it all the more special.

We didn’t invite anyone other than our daughter and our 2 witnesses.

 

[JED8643]

Thank you guys so much for your responses,

I really appreciate it