Dear Catholic Exchange:
What exactly is a convalidation? What are the requirements and the process? I've been married civily since 1987. Until just recently, we'd both been non-active Catholics. Now that I feel the need to be a part of my Catholic Faith and upbringing, I'm told I can't participate in Reconciliation or the receiving of Communion, because I'm living in sin. Actually, I was told I must marry through the Church, but the further I've been looking into things, now I find that I may have an alternative. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this to me.
Caroline
Dear Caroline,
Peace in Christ!
Welcome back to the Church, who is the bride of Christ. In fact, marriage imagery pervades Christian theology. God intended that our earthly marriages mirror the love of the Trinity — a perfect union of persons and full sharing of life. This connection with the Trinity, plus the fact that Christ raised natural marriage to the level of a sacrament, makes the marriage covenant a means of salvation for the couple. Entrusted with this truth, the Church makes sure that, when baptized persons want to get married, they do so according to a form that ensures the covenant is created.
The term “living in sin” can be offensive to some because there was never any intention to live in sin and, as far as they’re concerned, they’ve been married for some time. The reality is that God joins two people together in Christian marriage, and when God does not do the joining, the Church does not see the couple as married. Reconciliation and Communion come with the recognition of this spiritual reality and repentance. Convalidation turns what the state calls a marriage into a sacramental, grace-filled union ordered to the salvation of both spouses.
The process begins by approaching your parish priest. He will ask you a few questions, set a date, and you will exchange vows in a Catholic wedding ceremony. Given the significance of what is taking place, you might even invite guests and have a reception.
I hope that this is helpful. You mention “an alternative,” but don’t give details. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us at questions@cuf.org or 1-800-MY FAITH (693-2484).
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
Editor's Note: To submit a faith question to Catholic Exchange, email href=”mailto:faithquestions@catholicexchange.com”>faithquestions@catholicexchange.com. Please note that all email submitted to Catholic Exchange becomes the property of Catholic Exchange and may be published in this space. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity. Names and cities of letter writers may also be published. Email addresses of viewers will not normally be published.
