May I marry civilly and then a year later marry in the Church?

[Filipa_Guardado]

Hello …
I´m having some thoughts about how my marriage will be .
I´m in a long term relation with a swede . Been together with him for 4 years and i´m now 26 years . I dont wait to delay our marriage any more .
My entire family is in Portugal and i would love to have them in my marriage but my future husband can´t go to Portugal this soon because of his work . And , i can´t stay with him in sweden more than 3 months without having to come back to Portugal unleass i´m married .
So i was thinking in marrying in the civil in sweden and one year after marry in Portugal … stop living in sin and live happy ever after …
Is this possible ? To have the marriage sacrament after a civil union with the same person ? Or will i have to marry without my presence of my family in the catholic church in sweden ?

If not , what are your advices ?

Thanks =)

Peace and God bless

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

I hope you have been naïve because you sound so blasé about living in mortal sin.
Nothing—absolutely nothing is worth turning one’s back completely on our crucified Savior—which is what mortal sin is. To fret over logistics and the possibility of living in sin for another year is the height of being out of touch with reality—when every moment lived in such sin is a moment of spiritual death and could mean eternal death should you die is such a state. When we are young death seems so far off, but it is always a possibility at any time!

You asked for advice. My advice is to immediately stop living so dishonestly, as though you were married . Go to Confession. Live a celibate life until you marry in the Church. If this means that your family is not present, so be it. Living in the state of grace is far, far more important. Have an anniversary celebration when you both can go to Portugal. But by all means, keep your priorities straight!

I encourage you to spend an hour each day before the Blessed Sacrament, reflecting on how much He loves you that He would endure so much for us on Good Friday. I will send you a reflection you can use as a help. You will find that in sitting before the tabernacle in silence, you will know a peace that you have never before experienced—and the rest of your concerns will fall into place.

You are in my prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.