Expert: Fr. Michael - 4/5/2004

Question
I was married outside the church 35 years ago my husband is baptized Lutheren. My three chrildren were raised Catholic . I have'nt gone to church in a very long time.I know that I can't receive communion or go to confession. Because my marriage wasn't blessed. My priest wouldn't marry us Said we were to young. I would like to receive communion and go to confession and start attending Church, but my husband won't agree to have our marriage blessed Still bitter about 35 years ago. Please help!!!!

Answer
It isn't a question of "blessing" (I don't know where that concept came from.  The question is that by marrying outside the Church because you did not take the counsel of your confessor, you deliberately by that act turned your back upon your Faith, entered into an invalid marriage, and exiled yourself from the Church.

Since you now repent of your action, and since there is not a divorce and remarriage involved, even if your husband is not cooperative, you yourself might be absolved.  For this matter, you really need to talk to a traditional confessor for guidance.  If you do not know how to find one in your area, see the list at www.traditio.com/tradlib/masslat.txt