Dear Catholic Exchange:
I am a cradle Catholic. I married my husband in my home parish by a Roman Catholic priest. At the time my husband was Jewish. Praise God, he converted to Catholicism two years ago. I understand that our marriage while valid, is not sacramental. We would like to be in a sacramental marriage. How can we go about this?
Thanks and God bless.
Addys
Dear Addys,
Peace in Christ!
Your marriage became sacramental at the time of your husband’s baptism. A sacramental marriage is a valid covenant between two baptized persons. They need not be Catholics to have a sacramental marriage, but they must be members of the Mystical Body of Christ, through whom all sacramental graces flow. They enter into a sacramental marriage by both becoming baptized: “a valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptized without it being by that fact a sacrament” (canon 1055 §2). No additional exchange of vows is needed, nor is a “nuptial blessing” needed, for the marriage to be sacramental, although a nuptial blessing is strongly recommended.
For further reading on the sacrament of marriage, please see our FAITH FACT “Marriage in God’s Plan”.
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