Should I/must I have my marriage convalidated?

[Scott_Waddell]

Twelve years I go I was unbaptized and married a baptized Lutheran. Several years later, I was baptized Lutheran. Two years ago, both of us were confirmed in the Catholic Church. I asked the person in charge whether we needed to have our marriage convalidated due to my unbaptized state when married or for some other reason. The person checked it out apparently and said no we didn’t but I never really understood the reasons. Did I get good information? Is convalidation something I should do? If so, what for?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

Twelve years I go I was unbaptized and married a baptized Lutheran.

The Catholic Church recognizes such a marriage to be valid.

Several years later, I was baptized Lutheran.

At that point, your marriage became sacramental – a valid marriage between the baptized.

Two years ago, both of us were confirmed in the Catholic Church.

Congratulations and welcome to the Church!

I asked the person in charge whether we needed to have our marriage convalidated due to my unbaptized state when married or for some other reason. The person checked it out apparently and said no we didn’t but I never really understood the reasons. Did I get good information? Is convalidation something I should do? If so, what for?

You got good information. You were in a valid, sacramental marriage when you became Catholics; entering the Church did not change that status in any way.