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Question
Dear Father,
I have recently decided to come back to the Catholic faith after not practicing for the past 3 years, due to my own stupidity. During those three years of not practicing, I got married to my husband in a Pentecostal church by a female pastor. My husband has no problem with me going back to church or raising our future children in the Catholic faith. I am wondering what are the steps that we need to take to get our marriage valid in the Catholic church?
Thank you Father.
Hi, Amanda:
Thanks for the question.
What great news ot hear that you want to come back to the practice of the Catholic Faith!
In order to give a more complete answer, I would need to know whether either you or your current husband had ever been married before and divorced? In this case we could be looking at either a formal anullment process, or at least "Lack of Form."
However, if neither of you has any previous marriages that need to be looked at, then it would be a relatively simple process...
You would need to make an appointment with a local Priest or Parish Staff that deals with these things, present yourselves, and explain the circumstances. Then you would need to go through any necessary formal marriage preparation classes or seminars that might be required. For your part, I would certainly take the opportunity to make a good Confession and get absolution, and get back to regular attendance at Sunday Mass.
You are most likely looking at a simple "convalidation" which means that at the end of your prep time, you would arrange a date and time to have a Priest (or some kind of duly authorized minister) to witness your exchange of marriage vows, in the presence of at least two formal witnesses.
If you have any further questions or concerns, just let me know.
God bless you!
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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