If you and your spouse are married civilly, and wish to bring your marriage into the Church so that you may participate fully in the Church and receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, please complete this inquiry form to begin the process.  

If residence of the couple requesting convalidation is outside of Denton County, please contact Deacon Jack Gardner at deaconjack@saintmartindp.org prior to completing the above form.  Marriage preparation and marriage validation preparation are very closely tied to the Diocese where you live, not the Diocese where you are registered. 

Components of Marriage Validation (often refered to as Marriage Convalidation or "blessing"):

• Complete the inquiry form.  You will then be contacted by Deacon Jack Gardner to schedule a meeting  to formally begin the process.  
• Complete the FW Diocese Marriage Validation class (Schedule here: FW Diocese Validation class schedule)
• Meet regularly with your assigned sponsor couple (about 4-6 times).  Sponsor information will be given at the initial meeting or before
• Complete the Natural Planning Family Classes (Information here: About NFP) 

Prior to beginning any type of marriage validation preparation any annulments, if needed, must be finalized. We cannot begin marriage preparation until both parties are free to marry in the Catholic Church.  If you are in need of annulment information, please contact the parish office.

 

If I am divorced but not remarried, and not living in a sexual relationship with anyone, can I receive Communion?

Yes. There is nothing preventing a divorced Catholic who has not remarried and is not living in a sexual relationship with anyone from receiving the sacraments of Eucharist (Communion), Penance (Confession), or Anointing of the Sick (Last Rites). You may also serve as a godparent for Baptism and a sponsor for Confirmation.

Is a Catholic who is divorced and remarried excommunicated?

 The penalty of automatic excommunication was removed by Pope Paul VI in November 1977. However, a divorced and remarried Catholic who has not received a declaration of nullity from the Church regarding a previous marriage or marriages, or who has remarried outside the Church, may not receive the sacraments. A person in this situation is urged to begin the process to request a declaration of nullity as soon as possible to see if this situation can be remedied.