1/31/24 - Fr. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP - All About Marriage!

Fr. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP is Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Providence, Rhode Island. He was ordained in 2008.     In Today's Show Is there a certain extreme point at which the church "draws the line" and determines that separation is actually necessary rather than discouraged? Should widows remarry? I am divorced and remarried. I was not a Christian when I was married either time. I have since become a Christian and have been baptized. Both marriages took place with a justice of the peace and were outdoor weddings on family property. In the process of my divorce from my first wife, she had a child with another man. Would I need an annulment of my first marriage to join the church? If so, how does it work? Do children from invalid marriages lack any individual graces bestowed by God upon children from valid marriages? Has the Protestant reformation had any impact on the perception of marriage? How can we bring marriage back to a place of holiness and reverence in the public eye? My wife and I are coming up on our ten year wedding anniversary. Does the church recommend anything for such an occasion, such as a renewal of vows or an informal blessing? How do I convince a friend that marriage is between a man and a woman? Can you please explain why deacons are able to marry but priests are not? Can you please explain why some Eastern Rite Catholic priests are able to be married (and have children) and why that practice differs from the Roman Catholic Church? In regard to family members who are lapsed Catholics married outside The Church: if the couple decides to divorce, is it right to encourage them to NOT divorce? If we have loved ones who are or were in an invalid marriage and changed their last name in that marriage, when having masses said for them, should we use their legal last name or their last name prior to the invalid marriage? If a man goes missing and is presumed dead for a long time, and the wife remarries, but the man eventually comes back, is the new marriage valid? Can the man remarry? How should one approach the potential fallout that comes from declining an invitation to a family member's wedding due to faith reasons? Is it really worth fracturing relationships?   Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!