Prince of Peace Parish

607 Sabattus street

Lewiston, ME. 04240

207-777-1200

The Catholic Church is a Sacramental Church, and it is through these sacraments that we experience the graces of God and understand His working in the world.  Most know that the Church has seven Sacraments through which God's people have traditionally experienced the salvation offered through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharistic, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Marriage.   When Catholics get married "outside the Church," meaning that they did not have the Catholic Church present, then they cannot celebrate any of the other Sacraments until the marriage is convalidated in the Church.  Moreover, Catholics married outside the Church cannot be Godparents for Baptism or Sponsors for Confirmation until their marriages are brought into the Church.  

A Marriage Convalidation is simply repeating your marrige vows before a respresentative of the Church, which is normally a bishop, priest or deacon.  The process begins by setting up an appointment with the parish priest to gather the necessary information to raise the marriage to the level of a Sacrament.  Assuming this a first marriage for both individuals, the process is quite simple.  If there are former marriages and the former spouses are still living, it may include beginning the anullment process for the prior marriages before being able to convalidate the marriage.  Regardless, the first step is meet with one of the parish priests to talk through the steps need to validate your marriage and return to the Sacraments, including Holy Communion.   Click here to go to contact the office for an appointment with one of the priests