Do we need Convalidation?

[deanarrca]

Hubby and I were married in the Episcopal church and then converted to Catholicism (After many year in fundamentalist churches) Anyway when we were in RCIA the Deacon said that the Catholic Church considers our marriage valid and sacramental because as I was told we were both baptized Christians and married in a recognized Christian church. Is this true. Or do we need convalidation. (sp?)

Another couple we met and talked briefly the other day mentioned that they had their marriage convalidated (I think that is the right word) after they became Catholic - I don’t remember what their particular situation was however and why they needed it. Just wondering if we needed it.

We were both baptized Christians and married in a Christian Church. First and only marriage for both of us.

 

[1ke]

Anyway when we were in RCIA the Deacon said that the Catholic Church considers our marriage valid and sacramental because as I was told we were both baptized Christians and married in a recognized Christian church. Is this true.

Yes, your marriage is valid. You were not Catholic at the time of your marriage. Non-Catholic are not bound by the Catholic form of marriage. Episcopalians have no required form of marriage in their own church law.

There is nothing to convalidate. Your marriage is valid.

 

[DavidFilmer]

do we need convalidation

It is not required, but it is advisable. Your marriage has not benefited from the formal Blessing of the Church, which you would receive from convalidation. The ceremony is short and simple, and many couples find great satisfaction in expressing their love and commitment for each other as they did when they first wed. So why *not *prusue convalidation? There’s no downside.

 

[1ke]

It is not required, but it is advisable.

This is **NOT **accurate.

Your marriage has not benefited from the formal Blessing of the Church, which you would receive from convalidation.

This is NOT accurate.

Convalidation is a process to make an invalid marriage valid. A person in a valid marriage already receives ALL the grace of the Sacrament. There is nothing that can be added.

The ceremony is short and simple, and many couples find great satisfaction in expressing their love and commitment for each other as they did when they first wed.

Convalidation is **NOT **the same thing as some sort of “blessing” or “renewal of vows.”

So why *not *prusue convalidation? There’s no downside.

Um… because a valid marriage cannot be convalidated.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hubby and I were married in the Episcopal church and then converted to Catholicism (After many year in fundamentalist churches) Anyway when we were in RCIA the Deacon said that the Catholic Church considers our marriage valid and sacramental because as I was told we were both baptized Christians and married in a recognized Christian church. Is this true. Or do we need convalidation. (sp?)

Another couple we met and talked briefly the other day mentioned that they had their marriage convalidated (I think that is the right word) after they became Catholic - I don’t remember what their particular situation was however and why they needed it. Just wondering if we needed it.

We were both baptized Christians and married in a Christian Church. First and only marriage for both of us.

Nothing else needs to be done. You may request a Nuptual Blessing. It’s NOT a Convalidation of the Marriage.

 

[deanarrca]

Thanks for answering my question. Very much appreciated. The nuptial blessing you mentioned, is that a fancy formal thing? Or how do they do that ie; what does that entail? Or how does one ask for that? Sorry more questions. Thanks in advance, Deana

 

[1ke]

Thanks for answering my question. Very much appreciated. The nuptial blessing you mentioned, is that a fancy formal thing?

It’s a formal prayer, prayed over the couple by a priest. It can be done in Mass or privately with the priest. There are several nuptial blessing prayers that can be chosen from. The priest can show the the different choices.

If you have ever been to a Catholic wedding, the Nuptial Blessing comes after the Our Father.

Or how does one ask for that? Sorry more questions. Thanks in advance, Deana

Just ask your priest. Tell him you’d like to receive a Nuptial Blessing.

And, no problem with asking questions… that’s what CAF is here for!!!

 

[DavidFilmer]

Convalidation is **NOT **the same thing as some sort of “blessing” or “renewal of vows.”

Yes, you are right, of course. Thanks for the correction.

The ceremony is the same, but the intent is clearly different.

 

[puzzleannie]

It is not required, but it is advisable. Your marriage has not benefited from the formal Blessing of the Church, which you would receive from convalidation. The ceremony is short and simple, and many couples find great satisfaction in expressing their love and commitment for each other as they did when they first wed. So why *not *prusue convalidation? There’s no downside.

this advice is wrong
two baptized non-Catholics who are otherwise free to marry are validly married, and also sacramentally married, and to insist on or advice convalidation is to deny the reality of that sacrament, and would be an abuse.