So, you and your spouse are already married civilly but have been wondering about having your marriage recognized in the Catholic Church? First of all, youโre not alone – many couples are in the same spot. The Church has something beautiful for this exact situation called a convalidation.
Why Does the Church Offer It?
In simple terms, marriage is meant to be a Sacrament for baptized Catholics. If you got married outside the Church without a dispensation, the Church doesnโt see it as a Sacramental Marriage yet.
Convalidation is basically saying, โLetโs bring this marriage fully into the Church so that it can be blessed and strengthened by Godโs grace.โ Itโs not saying your marriage โdoesnโt countโ or that youโre starting over – itโs really about completing it spiritually.
How Does It Work?
Hereโs what usually happens:
- Chat with Your Parish Priest โ This is the first step. Heโll listen to your story and walk you through whatโs needed.
- Paperwork & Prep โ There might be some paperwork (especially if thereโs a previous marriage) and usually some marriage prep to help you both reflect on the Sacrament.
- The Ceremony โ Once thatโs done, you set a date to officially exchange vows in the Church.
Whatโs It Like?
Youโve got options here:
- Small & Simple โ Just you two, the priest, and two witnesses.
- Full Wedding Mass or Ceremonyโ Some couples go all out and celebrate with family and friends.
- Mass Weddings โ Some parishes even host a yearly convalidation ceremony where several couples convalidate together.
No matter the size, the focus is on you two standing before God and His Church, promising to live your marriage as a sacrament.
Does My Spouse Have to Be Catholic?
Basically, it will follow the same procedure as other people who plan to get married in the church. That means, your spouse doesnโt need to be Catholic for this to happen. If theyโre a baptized Christian, your marriage becomes sacramental after convalidation. If not baptized, itโs still a valid marriage in the Churchโs eyes, just not a sacrament. – take a look at my other blog post here about getting married in a Catholic Church – https://catholicweddingplanning.com/?p=187
Your priest will explain everything and guide you through any promises needed (like raising kids in the faith).
Praying for you!
Let us pray…
Lord, we thank You for bringing us closer to You and to each other. Bless us and al other people planning for a convalidation with peace, courage, and joy. May our marriage be a shining example of Your love in the world. Amen.
Have questions about convalidation or just curious how it works? 💬 Leave a comment below. Iโd love to chat with you.
And if youโre planning a Catholic wedding or thinking about convalidation, join our Facebook group where couples like you share advice, stories, and lots of encouragement.
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