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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
marriage after death of husband	Danielle	Monday, December 13, 2004
Question: Tragically, my husband passed away a couple of weeks ago. It was of great comfort to me that he converted fully in his final hours and became an incredibly great person. I am now left alone with three children and am feeling very vulnerable. Perhaps/probably irrational at this time, I am gravitating towards another man already. I feel like I need someone to protect me and am longing to be loved again. I won't make any snap decisions, but it is important to me to know the church's teachings on this matter. I made a commitment to my husband, til death do us part. Does this mean I can marry again after his death? Regards, Danielle
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Danielle: I am sorry for your loss, but praise God that your husband made his peace with God at the end. I would highly advise that you NOT get involved with anyone, or even date at this time. You need time to grieve. The grieving process takes time. To get involved in a relationship this soon is likely to end is disaster. It generally takes about five years to get through the grieving process and be truly ready for another relationship. At the very least I would advise you to not even consider dating until at least one year. In any event, do not avoid the grieving process by getting involved with a man at this point. You NEED to work through the grief, re-discover who you are, be comfortable with being single, and THEN begin to date. To get involved with someone merely because one does not want to be alone is one of several reasons for the high divorce rate. Thus, wait a while before thinking about a relationship. You are not alone actually and are being loved right now. God is with you and loves you and will help you through this. As for the Church teaching on "free-status" to marry again, your marriage bonds cease with the death of a spouse. You are now in the single state-of-life and thus are eligible for religious life or for a new marriage. We will be praying for you. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

marriage after death of husband

Danielle

Monday, December 13, 2004

Question:

Tragically, my husband passed away a couple of weeks ago. It was of great comfort to me that he converted fully in his final hours and became an incredibly great person.

I am now left alone with three children and am feeling very vulnerable. Perhaps/probably irrational at this time, I am gravitating towards another man already. I feel like I need someone to protect me and am longing to be loved again. I won't make any snap decisions, but it is important to me to know the church's teachings on this matter.

I made a commitment to my husband, til death do us part. Does this mean I can marry again after his death?

Regards,

Danielle

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Danielle:

I am sorry for your loss, but praise God that your husband made his peace with God at the end.

I would highly advise that you NOT get involved with anyone, or even date at this time. You need time to grieve. The grieving process takes time. To get involved in a relationship this soon is likely to end is disaster.

It generally takes about five years to get through the grieving process and be truly ready for another relationship. At the very least I would advise you to not even consider dating until at least one year. In any event, do not avoid the grieving process by getting involved with a man at this point. You NEED to work through the grief, re-discover who you are, be comfortable with being single, and THEN begin to date.

To get involved with someone merely because one does not want to be alone is one of several reasons for the high divorce rate. Thus, wait a while before thinking about a relationship. You are not alone actually and are being loved right now. God is with you and loves you and will help you through this.

As for the Church teaching on "free-status" to marry again, your marriage bonds cease with the death of a spouse. You are now in the single state-of-life and thus are eligible for religious life or for a new marriage.

We will be praying for you.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum