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Do We Qualify for a Convalidation?
Why a Catholic Marriage?
What are the Benefits of a Catholic Marriage?
What if there is a Prior Marriage?
The Three Things that make Marriage Valid in the Catholic Church.
So, What IS Convalidation?
How do we Prepare  for Convalidation?
What will the Ceremony look like?
Where does the Ceremony take place?
Is a Convalidation Ceremony binding?

Do We Qualify for a Convalidation?
Following are some of the possible scenarios where seeking a convalidation would be appropriate: 

• Either one or both of the parties failed to seek an annulment for some previous marriages, and chose to marry anyway outside of the Church, but after further discernment, they have decided to seek (and have subsequently procured and obtained or are open to the discussion of an annulment*, and they are now seeking to be married within the Church.  *Feel free to reach out to Fr. Brian or Fr. Fernando.
• Catholics failed to seek a dispensation from the Church to marry a non-Catholic, and/or to be married by a non-Catholic minister. Perhaps the Catholic party believed that the non-Catholic party was unwilling to concede to the authority of the Church, or uncomfortable with Catholicism in general, but now the non-Catholic has become more open to Catholicism, and the Catholic party has become more determined to live his or her faith in greater earnest.
• Catholics may have failed to be married within the Church, and may have chosen instead to enter into a civil marriage out of convenience or for expedience, or because the faith had ceased to be a big part of their lives at the time. According to civil law, they are married, but according to Church law, they are not married. Now the couple has grown stronger in their Christian faith, and are choosing to be reconciled back into the fullness of the Church.

Regardless of what happened in the past, the Catholic Church invites you to bring new meaning to your lives by embracing the vocation of marriage and dedicating your family’s mission to sharing God’s love.

Why a Catholic Marriage?
Catholic Marriage is unique among other marital relationships because it is a sacrament that makes Christ present in our world. The relationship between husband and wife mirrors the relationship of Jesus Christ and His Church. In the Catholic tradition, the husband and wife
accept a role in God’s plan for humanity. They are ambassadors of God’s love, as they collaborate with God to keep humanity alive. It is their primary to help each other live out a life of salvation which leads to heaven. Living a life of salvation is simply helping each other to build and live in deeper relationship with Christ.
 
The vows exchanged by the couple are a sacred pact through which the spouses embrace each other, and, together, embrace Jesus as their partner. Through their union with Christ, they participate in the unbreakable pact between God and humanity: the covenant that was sealed in the death and resurrection of Christ.

What are the Benefits of a Catholic Marriage?
One of the many benefits of a sacramental marriage is the power of God’s grace, which helps couples keep their commitment and find happiness together. Social scientists are finding that couples who recognize God’s presence in their relationship experience more satisfaction and are more likely to achieve lifelong marriage.
 
All in all, couples who choose to bring their marriage into the Church receive many gifts—peace of heart, oneness with the Church, the fullness of the sacraments, and God’s special blessing upon their marriage.

What if there is a Prior Marriage?
In the simplest terms, if a Catholic wishes to marry in the Church when there has been a previous marriage for either party, the partner in the earlier union must have died or the Church must have issued a declaration of nullity (frequently called an annulment) of the previous marriage.
 
For Catholics with a prior marriage outside the Church, the declaration of nullity is based on what is called a “lack of canonical form.” For Catholics with a prior “valid” marriage, the tribunal process is termed a “formal case.” Fr. Brian or Fr. Fernando would be happy to work with you in determining what may be needed and if an annulment is necessary.

The Three Things that make Marriage Valid in the Catholic Church.
A valid Catholic marriage comes into existence when a man and woman who are capable1, give consent2 to a true marriage, including all the essential properties of marriage, and exchange this consent3 in the proper form for Catholic weddings.
 
1. Capacity

• Psychological capacity (emotional maturity & stability)
• Physical capacity
• Freedom from impediments (e.g. a prior marriage, vows in a religious order, etc.)

2. Consent to a lifelong and exclusive marriage that is open    to children
3. Canonical Form

• To be married in the presence of a Catholic bishop, or a priest or deacon delegated by either   the pastor  or bishop, and two witnesses according to the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, or to have received permission from the Church to celebration the marriage outside of these Catholic norms.

So, What IS Convalidation?
A convalidation celebrated by two baptized Christians is a celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage, one of the Church’s seven sacraments, all of which are gifts given to us by Jesus Christ so that we can share in God’s life and grow closer to Him. The only difference from any other
sacramental marriage is the circumstance under which this marriage is being celebrated, i.e. after a civil marriage ceremony has already taken place.
 
With the appropriate permission, a convalidation can also occur between a baptized Catholic and a non-baptized person. Such a marriage would be valid but non-sacramental.
 
Convalidation is a new act of consent, which constitutes the beginning of the marriage in the eyes of the Church.

How do we Prepare  for Convalidation?
Marriage preparation for convalidation couples is typically an adapted version of the preparation that engaged couples undergo. The content of the preparation will vary from
couple to couple, as different couples will have different levels of experience and knowledge of the Church, the Sacrament of Marriage, and of each other. The steps to a convalidation are similar to traditional marriage prep, but the focus is to make sure the couple understands Catholic marriage.
 
For many couples, one or more annulments will be required before a convalidation is possible. Parish clergy are happy to assist in this process if it is necessary.
 
All couples, because they are still looking ahead to their marriage in the Church, are asked to live as do other couples preparing for marriage. Sometimes this is kind of cutely described as “living as brother and sister,” but the idea is that the couple not engage in marital relations until the time they are married in the Church. This is difficult to achieve, but the grace of God and appropriate practical measures can make possible what we might be tempted to think is impossible. The Sacrament of Confession is an essential means of spiritual preparation for marriage. Of course, it is always important to make good use of confession, keeping in mind that we must be resolved to turn away from sin.

What will the Ceremony look like?
As with the marriage preparation, some of the ceremonial details will depend upon the individual couple. But a convalidation is a true celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage, and so it follows the Catholic Church’s Rite of Marriage Outside of Mass. This includes a Liturgy of the Word (Scripture readings and homily), Prayers of the Faithful, the Rite of Marriage, Our Father, Nuptial Blessing, and Final Blessing and dismissal.
 
Convalidations are typically much simpler than other weddings in terms of the other ceremonial details (number of guests, clothes, music, flowers, walking down the aisle, etc.), but there must be at least two witnesses in addition to the priest or deacon.

Where does the Ceremony take place?
The convalidation ceremony will take place inside the church, and will last approximately 20-30 minutes. Further details can be discussed with the priest or deacon during your time of preparation.

Is a Convalidation Ceremony binding?
Yes, it is. A convalidation is not simply a renewal of promises made previously, but the creation of a valid marriage in the eyes of the Church.