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Question
Fr. Johnson,
My husband and I were married in an Anglican church, although I was raised Catholic I was not regularly attending service at the time and he was not Catholic and did not want to get married at my parents church. Since then I have started going to church with my parents. My mother told me that since I have not had my marriage blessed in the Catholic Church that I should not partake in Communion. I was just wondering if she was correct.
Thank you for your time.
Jennifer
Hi. Jennifer:
Thanks for the question...
What you're describing sounds to me like you are not a practicing Catholic, and have not been for some number of years.
As a Catholic, you were bound by "Canonical Form" in order for you to have a lawful and valid sacramental marriage. Canonical Form means that your marriage was to take place after the regular marriage prep with the Priest, and then was to take place with a Catholic liturgical rite carried out by an authorized Priest or Deacon, in a Church building, and in the presence of two witnesses - unless otherwise dispensed lawfully from this obligation. It is for this reason that your marriage is not recognized as lawful and sacramental by the Catholic Church authority that was given by Christ to the Apostles and their successors, the Pope and Bishops.
Your mother is correct that at this particular point you need to refrain from partaking in Holy Communion, since your marriage is not lawful and sacramental. This situation, however, can be remedied easily enough if you simply presesnt your circumstances to the lawful Catholic Church Authority through your local Priest to go through the process of havin a "convalidation." This should be a simple procedure, unless of course there is the complication of any former marriages of yourself or your current husband that need to be taken care of through the Marriage Tribunal. So let me wish you a Merry Christmas, and encourage you to take this step if you truly desire to get into good standing with the Catholic Church established by Jesus Christ.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
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.
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.
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