About two dozen couples in the Archdiocese of Boston will have their marriages "brought into the Church" this year, part of a now-yearly tradition there in which husbands and wives can take part in "convalidation" ceremonies.
Convalidation offers civilly married husbands and wives the opportunity for a valid Catholic sacramental marriage.
The Boston Archdiocese describes the ceremony as "an opportunity for couples married outside of the Catholic Church to enter a marriage covenant in the Catholic tradition, be strengthened by God's grace, and be supported by his Church."
Liz Cotrupi, the director of family life and ecclesial movements in the archdiocesan evangelization office, told EWTN News that this year's ceremony will be the third the archdiocese has held in as many years.
"We've been doing it during National Marriage Week," she said. "It just so happens that this year it falls on Valentine's Day, so it's a little special."
The program arose in Boston when former Regional Bishop Mark O'Connell began offering convalidation ceremonies in the north region of the archdiocese over which he presided.
"When he became the vicar general [in 2023], he said, 'Hey I've been doing this regionally in the north region and it's had some good feedback — what about doing it archdiocesan-wide?'" Cotrupi said.
The program has grown ever since. "We'll probably have 22 to 24 couples this year," Cotrupi said.
The archdiocese has advertised the ceremony in parish bulletins and on social media, she said, and the reaction has been positive. "People are coming out of the woodwork," she said.
The process is similar, but not identical, to that of preparing couples for marriage. "We've learned a lot through this process," Cotrupi said with a laugh.
The archdiocesan canonical affairs office takes part in the marriage preparation, she said, while a priest helps prepare the couple directly.
"Each couple, it's as if they're making their vows for the very first time," she said. "They will exchange consent, answer the questions, and then exchange rings, which are blessed."
"Each couple, it's as if they're making their vows for the very first time."
Liz CotrupiDirector of Family Life and Ecclesial Movements, Archdiocese of Boston
The ceremony is not a full Mass, she said, but rather consists of the Liturgy of the Word, the prayers of the faithful, a blessing, and the marriage ceremony itself.
The event often has all the trappings of a wedding, she said. "Some brides come dressed in wedding dresses," she said. Others are dressed more casually. Some families bring their children.
At times, Cotrupi said, couples forget to bring the required two witnesses to the event, in which case she and archdiocesan Family Life Consultant
Emily Elliott have often stood as witnesses.
Couples are often given a gift on the day of the ceremony, she said, and afterward they often go out to dinner with family and friends to celebrate.
Cotrupi said the usual administrative tasks surrounding the process, like "all the paperwork," can be "a bit much." Still, she said, "it's a joyous occasion."
"We're so happy to do it for them," she said.
