Holy Matrimony is the Sacrament which unites a Christian man and woman in lawful marriage. Although a civil union is a binding and legal contract between two people, the Sacrament of Marriage is a serious and permanent commitment between one man and one woman and God. These three become one reflective of the covenant between Christ and His Church: Jesus as the groom and the Church as his bride.
The Catholic Church has established a marriage policy that assists the engaged couple in preparing themselves for a lifetime together as well as a day of celebration. An initial appointment with the pastor provides the engaged couple with an opportunity to discuss the various aspects of setting a date, reviewing the diocesan guidelines, providing the necessary sacramental certificates, and fulfilling church expectations.
The engaged couple is asked to make arrangements to meet in person with the pastor at least six months prior to the wedding date.
For additional information regarding the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage please visit the Catholic Weddings page.
3 Some Pharisees came forward and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason whatsoever?” 4 He replied, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ 5 and said: ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh’? 6 And so they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:3-6)
“It takes three to make love, not two: you, your spouse, and God. Without God people only succeed in bringing out the worst in one another.” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Sophia Sketchpad: Marriage (6:35)
What makes Catholic marriage a sacrament (6:27)