Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
back
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History


Grace Reese wrote:

Hi, guys —

After high school, I strayed from the faith. I met a non-Catholic and married him in a civil ceremony. Forty-two years later and we are still very happy. Upon the birth of our children who have been raised Catholic:

  • I went back to Church
  • became an active member, teaching:
    • faith formation
    • (VBS) Vacation Bible School
    • and more.

Because of a comment from my priest over twenty years ago, I have been receiving the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist though I never had any written permission. I have recently started to worry about whether this is permitted.

  • Do you have any thoughts on this matter?

Grace

  { Is it permissible for me to receive the sacraments with my martial background and no permission? }

Mary Ann replied:

Grace —

All you have to do is have your marriage ratified, or convalidated.

Convalidation is a simple thing, barring any previous unions.

You should talk about it with your pastor.

Mary Ann

Paul replied:

Grace —

To add to Mary Ann's comments, and my colleagues will correct me if I'm wrong, if up until this point, you have never validated this civil union/marriage with the Church, it is presumed and considered invalid; hence receiving Communion would be a sacrilege.

That is the case even after Confession, unless there is a resolution:

  • to separate, or
  • if it is impractical, due to children etc., to live as brother and sister until Church validation occurs.

Paul

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.