The Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida, a nearby city from Orlando, will soon begin its “Marriage Convalidation Workshop,” starting on Saturday, Apr. 30. Different schedules are available in the church for couples to prepare for the religious ceremony. 

Event for Couples

As per its Eventbrite page, the Sts. Pete and Paul Catholic Church, located at 5300 Old Howell Branch Road, recently invited couples to have their marriage convalidation. Only those who were married outside any Catholic church can join the ceremony. The couples must also share more than two years as a married couple in order to be qualified for the workshop. 

According to the page, participants who are interested in joining the marriage convalidation must have proof that their current parishes allowed them to have the ceremony in Winter Park. Meanwhile, those married couples who are not yet in their two years together or less than that are advised by the church to attend their own parish’s wedding ceremony. 

The Sts. Pete and Paul Catholic Church explained that marriage convalidation is important for Catholic married couples in order for them to have a lifetime relationship. Thus, the church believed that the beginning of a more happy and long marriage starts when a couple attends a convalidation event. 

What is Marriage Convalidation? 

A ‘Marriage Convalidation’ is a way for married couples that are wedded in a non-Catholic church venue to get married inside the church and get proper validation. According to the Brides website, the Church believes that marriage is a sacramental event for couples, and the ceremony brings the newlyweds to God. Thus, the convalidation is a necessary event in order to be officially recognized by the Church. 

As explained, the word ‘convalidation’ comes from a Latin phrase that also means “to strengthen” or “to firm up.” Although couples have the freedom to choose where they want to get married, the Church does not recognize those marriages as legitimate in the eyes of God. 

After all, as mentioned on the Eventbrite page invitation, “a sacramental marriage is an ongoing journey that begins on the day of your convalidation and lasts a lifetime. It involves the married couples’ relationship with God and the Church community as they strive daily to live their sacramental promise.”

As reported by the Brides, a normal wedding ceremony is similar to the marriage convalidation event. But, instead of making it more extravagant, the latter event is more “low-key,” as explained by Elizabeth Reha, director of family life at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church

According to its official website, the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church has a goal to spread the Word of God through devotions, personal prayers, or even liturgy. The church also has a mission for its members to inspire one another, which is said to be a sign of a ‘true Christian disciple.’ 

Founded in July 1967, the Catholic church started with only 200 families and achieved greater numbers throughout the decades. 

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