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About Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001, and so am entering into my 7th year of Sacred Ministry.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Catholicism > Catholics > marriage blessing

Catholics - marriage blessing

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 10/28/2009

Question
I am in the process of converting to catholicism. My husband and I were married in the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod 10 years ago. I was baptized Lutheran and my husband was baptized Mehodist. Since our marriage, I have been the "religous one" as my husband would say. He has had no interest at all in church with the exeption on Christmas and our children's baptisims. I am in RCIA currently and will actually undergo first reconciliation in December followed by my first communion followed by confirmaton during Easter vigil in 2010. Does my marriage have to be blessed? I understan through RCIA that my marriage is considered Sacramental but I am unsure of the necessity of a blessing.

Answer
Hi, Sharon:
Thanks for the question.
First of all let me congratulate you on taking the time and effort in your spiritual journey to take a closer look at the Catholic Church, ending in your coming into full communion by this spring 2010. Hopefully your faith and fervor will touch your husband in some way to come to a more serious consideration and practice of Christian Faith...
That having been said, I want to put your mind at ease concerning the lawful and canonical status of your marriage. No, you are not required to receive any kind of special blessing for your marriage upon entry into full communion with the Catholic Church though one may always take an opprtunity for a renewal of vows and a special blessing... but understanding that this is NOT something in your case necessary to "make the marriage valid and sacramental."
When you and your husband got married, you were not subjects of the direct authority of the Catholic Church and therefore not bound by the Catholic "Canonical Form" for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. In fact you were only bound by Divine Law, not Catholic Church specific laws. As long as there were no obstacles on your part to the essential properties of a truly lawful and valid marriage, then your marriage was valid and sacramental because you had both been baptized. The matter becomes an issue only for Catholics when and if they do not follow Church Law.
Let me be among the first to welcome you into full communion with the Catholic Church that Christ Himself founded!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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