Dear Catholic Exchange:
My husband is not baptized, however our wedding ceremony was a nuptial Mass, (he received a blessing in place of Communion).
Did we, or even I receive the Sacrament of Matrimony? If he were to go through RCIA and become baptized, would we need to get our marriage blessed in order for him (or us) to receive the sacrament?
I guess what I'm asking is…who received what?
Angela
Dear Angela,
Peace in Christ!
A sacramental marriage is a marriage between two baptized persons (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 1055). Since you were married with a Mass, it is likely that you received a dispensation (or permission) to marry someone who is not baptized. Assuming you had that dispensation, while your marriage is valid, it is not sacramental. If your husband were to be baptized, your marriage would be sacramental from the moment of his baptism. The marriage is already recognized by the Church, so no additional exchange of vows or a “nuptial blessing” is needed for the marriage to be sacramental. However, a nuptial blessing is strongly recommended.
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