Converts and their Marriage in the eyes of the Church

[T_More]

I’m a little unclear on this, and I hope I’m asking this in the right forum, so here it goes. When my wife and I enter the Church, is our marriage then deemed to be a valid sacrament at baptism?

As a side note, I’ve heard of some converts requesting the priest to perform a small ceremony after entering the Church to formally bless their marriage. Has anyone heard of this? If so, what’s entailed in the ceremony? Thanks!

 

[Suslar]

Congratulations and welcome to the Family!!!

It’s called a convalidation. And, it’s something you should talk to your pastor about. He will know what questions to ask you both and how to guide you.

Again, congrats!

 

[Phemie]

Congratulations and welcome to the Family!!!

It’s called a convalidation. And, it’s something you should talk to your pastor about. He will know what questions to ask you both and how to guide you.

Again, congrats!

T More, unless there’s something you haven’t told us (i.e. one or both of you was previously divorced), your marriage is considered valid so no convalidation would be necessary.

If one or both of you is unbaptized, it’s a natural marriage – it will become sacramental once you’re both baptized. To answer your question, yes, there is a nuptial blessing that you can receive.

 

[T_More]

Congratulations and welcome to the Family!!!

It’s called a convalidation. And, it’s something you should talk to your pastor about. He will know what questions to ask you both and how to guide you.

Again, congrats!

Thank you for the warm welcome!

We’re both former Jehovah’s Witnesses and neither of us has been previously been married, so I’m guessing convalidation isn’t needed (?).

 

[T_More]

T More, unless there’s something you haven’t told us (i.e. one or both of you was previously divorced), your marriage is considered valid so no convalidation would be necessary.

If one or both of you is unbaptized, it’s a natural marriage – it will become sacramental once you’re both baptized. To answer your question, yes, there is a nuptial blessing that you can receive.

Thanks Phemie. I think my wife and I would like to do this. Is there usually a stipend given to the priest for performing this for us?

 

[DebChris]

It is wonderful that you are entering the Catholic Church as a couple.
The natural assumption is that the marriage is valid. As mentioned, you may request convalidation to mark the Sacramental nature of your relationship.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Thanks Phemie. I think my wife and I would like to do this. Is there usually a stipend given to the priest for performing this for us?

I could never get a real answer on that…I don’t think one is required …so in the end I wrote a thank you card and put $50 in. I figured if Fr. didnt want it then he would give it to charity.

The convalidation was nice…congrats to you and your wife!

 

[Phemie]

It is wonderful that you are entering the Catholic Church as a couple.
The natural assumption is that the marriage is valid. As mentioned, you may request convalidation to mark the Sacramental nature of your relationship.

No, not a convalidation, which is a marriage ceremony to make an invalid marriage valid. A nuptial blessing, is just that, a blessing spoken over the couple. Usually done at the time of the marriage, it can be invoked by the priest over this couple who have not had such a blessing before.

 

[Warrior1979]

I’m a little unclear on this, and I hope I’m asking this in the right forum, so here it goes. When my wife and I enter the Church, is our marriage then deemed to be a valid sacrament at baptism?

A priest can answer your questions with certainty. As long as neither of you have certain diriment impediments (including a prior marriage), which would be discovered during your process of conversion, you are considered validly married.