Marriage
Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to get married. As you prepare for your wedding day, the Church desires to assist you in preparing for your life-long marriage.
“Jesus, who reconciled all things in himself, restored marriage and the family to their original form (cf. Mt 10:1-12). Marriage and the family have been redeemed by Christ (cf. Eph 5:21-32) and restored in the image of the Holy Trinity, the mystery from which all true love flows. The spousal covenant, originating in creation and revealed in the history of salvation, takes on its full meaning in Christ and his Church. Through his Church, Christ bestows on marriage and the family the grace necessary to bear witness to the love of God and to live the life of communion.” – Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), On Love in the Family, Section 63, 2016.
Marriage in the Roman Catholic Church
Catholics believe that marriage comes as a gift from the hand of God. The Catholic vision of marriage is rooted in Sacred Scripture and is expressed in the teachings and practices of the Church. It has these main elements:
. Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love.
. Marriage opens a couple to giving life.
. Marriage is a way to respond to God’s call to holiness.
. Marriage calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world.
Marriage is a serious and sacred commitment. This union of a man and woman is the basic unit of human society and of the Church. In this unique relationship, two persons make a solemn commitment to be totally for the other. Therefore, it deserves the most careful attention and preparation. Every marriage shares in God the Father’s creative love as an image of the Holy Trinity. Marriage in the Church has been elevated to a sacrament by Christ and gives witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit as it is lived out in the world. Spouses, therefore, enter into a new relationship with God who becomes permanently present in and central to their shared life.
Preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage
The most important step you can take in preparing for marriage:
Meet with your parish priest: he is your primary guide in your preparation for marriage in the Catholic Church. The meeting will include completing required paper work, gathering specific documents, applying for dispensations (if applicable), and a review of the Sacrament of Marriage Preparation Program with time to begin planning the liturgy.
To marry in the Catholic Church means celebrating a covenant that is spiritually and morally binding. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Church to provide sacrament of marriage preparation for engaged couples. Information on these programs is discussed with the couple at their first meeting with the priest, and a full listing of all currently scheduled programs can be found on the Diocese of Peterborough website.