Convalidation Question -- Again

[BarreandBark]

There are several convalidation posts here but was hoping to get clarification/thoughts on this specific scenario:
Wife - baptised, 1st communion, confirmation complete. Baptismal and Confirmation certificates available. No certificate for 1st communion (from overseas - - will be difficult to obtain certificate)
Husband - baptised, 1st communion, not confirmed. - no docs available (again, from overseas from over 20 years ago.

• no previous marriages
• married for almost 9 years civilly.
• Does the missing paperwork delay the process?
• Will the weekend convalidation retreat be required (I’ve read for some it depends on duration of marriage)
• Will husband need to be confirmed before convalidation?
• Will it need to be a nuptial mass or is there an option for a simple “rite” (we’re over and done with the whole she-bang with guests, etc)
• Can the deacon or priest serve as “witness” – again, having celebrated and spent on our civil wedding years ago, we don’t want to have to invite anyone to this.

Understand it depends per parish or diocese but wanted to hear from anyone who was in a similar situation.

 

[Vico]

There are several convalidation posts here but was hoping to get clarification/thoughts on this specific scenario:
Wife - baptised, 1st communion, confirmation complete. Baptismal and Confirmation certificates available. No certificate for 1st communion (from overseas - - will be difficult to obtain certificate)
Husband - baptised, 1st communion, not confirmed. - no docs available (again, from overseas from over 20 years ago.

• no previous marriages
• married for almost 9 years civilly.
• Does the missing paperwork delay the process?
• Will the weekend convalidation retreat be required (I’ve read for some it depends on duration of marriage)
• Will husband need to be confirmed before convalidation?
• Will it need to be a nuptial mass or is there an option for a simple “rite” (we’re over and done with the whole she-bang with guests, etc)
• Can the deacon or priest serve as “witness” – again, having celebrated and spent on our civil wedding years ago, we don’t want to have to invite anyone to this.

Understand it depends per parish or diocese but wanted to hear from anyone who was in a similar situation.

FIrst Communion records are not required to be maintained for members.

Latin Catholic or eastern ascription will determine the valid witness for the Church.

It can be private.

Latin Canon Law:

Can. 1065 §1. Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before they are admitted to marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

OP, talk to your pastor. He is your friend and spiritual advisor, not someone to be afraid of. None of us can speak for him about what documentation he will want. Don’t wait to get right with God and the Church.

Generally, only two witnesses are required for a marriage, they can be parish employees; and a Mass is not required.

 

[1ke]

Hello BarreandBark,

You and your spouse will need to sit down with your pastor to discuss this.

Does the missing paperwork delay the process?

Maybe.

The first communion paperwork is not relevant because there is no requirement to record this sacrament or issue certificates for it. Your baptismal records should be available from the parish or diocese in which you were baptized. If they are not, then you can provide an affidavit of baptism from witnesses who can confirm that you were baptized. In the worst case, with no records and no affidavit, the pastor would seek guidance from the diocese and some additional paperwork may be needed. Nothing that can’t be overcome.

Will the weekend convalidation retreat be required (I’ve read for some it depends on duration of marriage)

That is a local decision. You need to ask your pastor.

Will husband need to be confirmed before convalidation?

That is a local decision, you need to ask your pastor.

Will it need to be a nuptial mass or is there an option for a simple “rite” (we’re over and done with the whole she-bang with guests, etc)

That is a local decision, you will need to talk to your pastor. Typically two Catholics would use the marriage rite within the mass, but the marriage rite outside Mass can also be used, particularly if a deacon is the celebrant.

Can the deacon or priest serve as “witness” – again, having celebrated and spent on our civil wedding years ago, we don’t want to have to invite anyone to this.

You will need two witnesses. A deacon or priest may serve as a witness, but not in a dual role of officiant and witness. So you could have a priest conduct the ceremony and a deacon and someone else as witnesses, for example.

 

[Gorgias]

Will it need to be a nuptial mass or is there an option for a simple “rite” (we’re over and done with the whole she-bang with guests, etc)

Normatively, two Catholics marry in the context of a Nuptial Mass.

However, that doesn’t imply that it’s a big white-gown-and-tuxedo-and-attendants spectacle! Many folks who convalidate do so in the context of a small ceremony – priest, the couple, two witnesses, maybe some close family and friends. No need for a big old she-bang, or even a party afterward.