Marriage convalidation before spouse has been confirmed?

[Gnarwhal]

I'm curious if this is valid/licit/legal. A friend of ours was confirmed with her kids at Easter Vigil. We knew that she'd be convalidating her marriage with her Catholic husband, but we assumed it'd be some time after Easter. Turns out they did it before Palm Sunday. How is it possible to convalidate a marriage when one of the spouses in question isn't a confirmed Catholic yet?

Did my priest cut corners?

 

[Michie]

I found this:

The convalidation of any irregular marriage should be completed before the sacraments of initiation are celebrated. One cannot enter into the full sacramental life of the Church unless one is completely free to receive the sacraments.

My convalidation happened the same day I entered the Church. But I came in in the month of October and was already baptized. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. But my understanding was the marriage had to be sorted out before receiving the Eucharist.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I'm curious if this is valid/licit/legal. A friend of ours was confirmed with her kids at Easter Vigil. We knew that she'd be convalidating her marriage with her Catholic husband, but we assumed it'd be some time after Easter. Turns out they did it before Palm Sunday. How is it possible to convalidate a marriage when one of the spouses in question isn't a confirmed Catholic yet?

Did my priest cut corners?

There can be valid marriages between Catholics and non-Catholic Christians. So convalidating this one, perhaps invalid due to an issue of form, could be done any time. So no corners cut.

 

[Gnarwhal]

The convalidation of any irregular marriage should be completed before the sacraments of initiation are celebrated. One cannot enter into the full sacramental life of the Church unless one is completely free to receive the sacraments.

Fascinating, I would've thought it'd have to be the other way around for some reason. Well I'm glad I got straightened out.

 

[Michie]

Fascinating, I would've thought it'd have to be the other way around for some reason. Well I'm glad I got straightened out.

Well I would ask your priest and deacon just to be sure. I just have my experience to go by. I think certain situations can complicate things.

 

[RileyG]

If a Catholic is married outside the Church, I thought it's immediately rejected? So if they got married inside the Church, their first marriage never sacramentally occurred, correct? Can someone help me understand?

 

[Michie]

If a Catholic is married outside the Church, I thought it's immediately rejected? So if they got married inside the Church, their first marriage never sacramentally occurred, correct? Can someone help me understand?

Yeah if a Catholic married outside the Church it is not considered sacramental.

Are non-Catholic marriages valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church? What if a Catholic marries a non-Catholic?

In general, marriages between non-Catholics, of whatever religion, are considered valid, but the situation is not as simple as it sounds because there are two k...

www.catholic.com

 

[RileyG]

Yeah if a Catholic married outside the Church it is not considered sacramental.

Are non-Catholic marriages valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church? What if a Catholic marries a non-Catholic?

In general, marriages between non-Catholics, of whatever religion, are considered valid, but the situation is not as simple as it sounds because there are two k...

www.catholic.com

Then it doesn't have to be annulled sacramentally, correct?

 

[Michie]

Then it doesn't have to be annulled sacramentally, correct?

No. Unless there were previous marriages.

 

[RileyG]

No. Unless there were previous marriages.

Ah, gotcha! Thanks

 

[chevyontheriver]

Yeah if a Catholic married outside the Church it is not considered sacramental.

Are non-Catholic marriages valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church? What if a Catholic marries a non-Catholic?

In general, marriages between non-Catholics, of whatever religion, are considered valid, but the situation is not as simple as it sounds because there are two k...

www.catholic.com

Not only that but without a dispensation it isn’t even considered valid. That’s for a Catholic marrying another Christian but not in a Catholic Church.

 

[RileyG]

Not only that but without a dispensation it isn’t even considered valid. That’s for a Catholic marrying another Christian but not in a Catholic Church.

So essentially, they would be in the state of mortal sin and could not receive The Eucharist?

 

[Michie]

Unless you are in a sacramental marriage, you cannot partake of the Eucharist.

 

[RileyG]

Unless you are in a sacramental marriage, you cannot partake of the Eucharist.

That's my understanding as well. Unfortunately, I knew of a man who got married in the ELCA Lutheran Church, went to his family on Christmas Eve and still partook of the Eucharist. That was probably the only time he ever attended Mass. Some people are uninformed about Church teaching, sadly.

 

[Michie]

That's my understanding as well. Unfortunately, I knew of a man who got married in the ELCA Lutheran Church, went to his family on Christmas Eve and still partook of the Eucharist. That was probably the only time he ever attended Mass. Some people are uninformed about Church teaching, sadly.

Oh there are many that partake of the Eucharist that should not.

 

[RileyG]

Oh there are many that partake of the Eucharist that should not.

Yup. Probably happens all the time, but I won't pass judgment. Only God knows their hearts and souls.

 

[Michie]

Yup. Probably happens all the time, but I won't pass judgment. Only God knows their hearts and souls.

I remember going to my first Mass on Ash Wednesday before starting my journey to become Catholic and there was a Methodist lady trying to get me to go up to receive. Even then I knew it was not right. She did receive. Kind of shocked me.

 

[RileyG]

I remember going to my first Mass on Ash Wednesday before starting my journey to become Catholic and there was a Methodist lady trying to get me to go up to receive. Even then I knew it was not right. She did receive. Kind of shocked me.

Ohhh, how did you know she was Methodist?

 

[chevyontheriver]

Unless you are in a sacramental marriage, you cannot partake of the Eucharist.

One could be in a natural marriage I think, and come to faith and receive the sacraments.