Eucharist

[chris109]

I have been looking for something that confirms that couples not married through the Catholic Church cannot participate in the taking of the eucharist. Is this actually true?

 

[Della]

chris109:

I have been looking for something that confirms that couples not married through the Catholic Church cannot participate in the taking of the eucharist. Is this actually true?

First of all, Catholics make their marriage vows to one another in the presence of a priest or deacon, which is what makes their marriage sacramental, and therefore valid in the Church.

Secondly, a Protestant couple whose marriage vows have not been witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon is still considered married, but they would be unable to receive the Eucharist because they are not in union with the Church.

Thirdly, a couple in which one is Protestant and the other is Catholic, unless they had their marriage vows witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon, are not considered to be sacramentally married, so the Catholic as well as the Protestant would not be able to receive the Eucharist.

Is this fatal? No. Any Catholic who is in a non-sacramental marriage ought to talk to his/her priest to begin the process of correcting his/her status.

The Eucharist is the sign of unity in the Church. Those who are do not believe in the Eucharist ought not to receive it. To do so would mean violating their own consciences as well as putting their souls in danger if they are not free of mortal sin.

 

[Scout]

Della:

Thirdly, a couple in which one is Protestant and the other is Catholic, unless they had their marriage vows witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon, are not considered to be sacramentally married, so the Catholic as well as the Protestant would not be able to receive the Eucharist.

I think this is only if the couple married and one was already a Catholic when they were married. I was married outside the Church, when my husband and I were both Protestant. I’ve converted since our getting married, but my husband hasn’t. However, I am allowed to receive Holy Communion and my marriage is recognized by the Church.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[chris109]

Dela,

Thank you for your response. This is what I found most bothersome. My husband and I have been married for 17 years. We were not married through the Catholic Church. Many of our friends married through the Catholic Church, for whatever their personal reasons, are now divorced and some even remarried. We have seen some of these friends participate in the eucharist. My love for GOD, and my husband’s love for GOD, in addition to our unity with our parish, is so strong, that even though we are not married through the Catholic Church, we feel at peace participating in the taking of the eucharist. In fact, I am even involved in the Children Liturgy of the Word at our parish. My husband is an active Team Member on our local ACTS community, as well as myself.

Have a wonderful, Blessed Day!
Chris109

 

[byHisGrace]

chris109:

Dela,

Thank you for your response. This is what I found most bothersome. My husband and I have been married for 17 years. We were not married through the Catholic Church. Many of our friends married through the Catholic Church, for whatever their personal reasons, are now divorced and some even remarried. We have seen some of these friends participate in the eucharist. My love for GOD, and my husband’s love for GOD, in addition to our unity with our parish, is so strong, that even though we are not married through the Catholic Church, we feel at peace participating in the taking of the eucharist. In fact, I am even involved in the Children Liturgy of the Word at our parish. My husband is an active Team Member on our local ACTS community, as well as myself.

Chris,
Perhaps I missed something here. If you are so involved with your parish, why haven’t you rectified your marriage situation? And does your pastor know that your marriage was not in the Church?
May God Bless you!

Have a wonderful, Blessed Day!
Chris109

 

[msproule]

chris109,

There are some important pieces of information still missing. You originally asked what seemed to be sincerely innocent question and because you do not like the prospective answer you seem to be rather “in your face” in the last post. Perhaps I misread your sentiment but that is how it appeared.

Were you and your husband members of the Catholic Church when you were wed 17 years ago? If not, has one or have both of you converted since then? This information is essential in properly answering your original question.

Thanks!

 

[chris109]

To msproule: My question is a sincere question. I do not feel that my response was an “in your face” response. I found the response very helpful. I made no indication that I didn’t like the answer. I don’t know who you are and why you would feel you can take that tone with someone you don’t know. I’ll pray for you.

To Della: We are making plans to marry through our Church. Thank you for your time. Della.

I won’t be posting any more messages, but thanks to everyone who listened to me. Blessings.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

chris109:

I have been looking for something that confirms that couples not married through the Catholic Church cannot participate in the taking of the eucharist. Is this actually true?

From John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio:

c) Catholics in Civil Marriages
82. There are increasing cases of Catholics who for ideological or practical reasons, prefer to contract a merely civil marriage, and who reject or at least defer religious marriage. Their situation cannot of course be likened to that of people simply living together without any bond at all, because in the present case there is at least a certain commitment to a properly-defined and probably stable state of life, even though the possibility of a future divorce is often present in the minds of those entering a civil marriage. By seeking public recognition of their bond on the part of the State, such couples show that they are ready to accept not only its advantages but also its obligations. Nevertheless, not even this situation is acceptable to the Church.

The aim of pastoral action will be to make these people understand the need for consistency between their choice of life and the faith that they profess, and to try to do everything possible to induce them to regularize their situation in the light of Christian principle. While treating them with great charity and bringing them into the life of the respective communities, the pastors of the Church will regrettably not be able to admit them to the sacraments.

 

[msproule]

chris109:

To msproule: My question is a sincere question. I do not feel that my response was an “in your face” response. I found the response very helpful. I made no indication that I didn’t like the answer. I don’t know who you are and why you would feel you can take that tone with someone you don’t know. I’ll pray for you.

I appreciate your prayers and of course I will do the same for you.

I think you misunderstood what I was (ineffectively) trying to say! I was not trying to offend, only assist. Please do not mistake me the way I did you. Hopefully you read this, even though you indicated you would be departing.

Based upon your response to Della, I see you are pursuing convalidation. God bless you and your family!

 

[devoted_to_Mary]

Hi, This very question at one time caused me extreme distress.
I became Catholic in 1985, I’d been married for 15 years at the time. When I became Catholic I attended RCIA and in the most beautiful ceremony of my entire life, on the most special night of the year, I was baptized, confirmed and received my first holy communion. I was filled with the Holy Spirit, on fire, in love. The night was so perfect I couldn’t even go to sleep that night being so overcome with joy.
Throughout the following years our church experienced many different Priests. One day at confession when I mentioned I was not married in the church, the priest stearnly instructed me that I could no longer to receive the Eucharist until my husband and I were married in the Catholic church. I left crying, and I cried during every mass. Not being able to receive our lord brought me great distress. It was an awful time.
My husband and I were married soon after in the church. It was a beautiful wedding attended by our four married children and their spouses, our 9 grandchildren, our parents, our siblings and their families. And the most wonderful part of the wedding ceremony was receiving the body and blood of my precious Lord Jesus. I cried in front of everyone but they were tears of joy. I felt like Mary must of felt when she found Jesus in the temple.
Oh, and I got to go on a honeymoon! Blessings to you. Jackie

 

[chris109]

Dear Devoted to Mary:

Thank you so much for your most beautiful, heart-warming response. May GOD’s blessings be with you always.

Chris109