Marriage

The Sacrament of Marriage

Holy Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and woman bind themselves to live together as husband and wife for their whole life, for the propagation of the human race, and for mutual loving support.

We believe that God himself instituted marriage when God made Adam and Eve. Jesus raised marriage to the dignity of a Holy Sacrament.

The sacrament of marriage gives grace to the couple so they can live together, support each other and raise children. Jesus Christ becomes a part of this new union between man and women and fortifies their efforts to walk through life together, growing in mutual understanding, love, and faith.

Man and woman administer the sacrament to each other by giving their consent. They make vows to each other that they will live together helping each other in good times and bad times, in health and sickness till the end of their lives. Then, the Church through her minister, a priest or deacon, blesses the union.

Ordinarily, the sacrament of marriage takes place between two Catholics. Nevertheless a Catholic party can validly marry a Christian non-Catholic or a non-baptized person. In these cases, however, a Catholic party has to obtain a special permission from the Church authority called dispensation.

In our Church there is no divorce. With the respect to the Church, a marriage validly contracted and consummated is dissolved only through the death of one of the partners. Divorce before the civil authority does not dissolve a marriage. However, the catholic marriage, for particular reasons, can be declared as non-existing form the beginning. This is called annulment. Once annulment is pronounced by the authority of the church, the involved parties are free to marry again in the Church.

These guidelines are meant to be of help to those preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. We hope they will answer most of your questions. It is our hope that your wedding day will be beautiful and meaningful and that these guidelines will help you to achieve that.

--- PLEASE DO NOT SET ANY DATE FOR THE WEDDING NOR FOR THE RECEPTION WITHOUT CHECKING WITH THE PRIEST PREPARING YOUR MARRIAGE. --- This must be done four to six months prior to any perspective date, giving you sufficient time to meet all the Church requirements in good time.

REQUIREMENTS

Catholics must present a new Baptismal certificate dated within six months prior of the wedding arrangements - together with a copy of your Confirmation and First Holy Communion certificates.
Both bride and groom must make an appointment with any Priest to prepare their marriage dossier, which includes to fill out, individually, under oath, and in the presence of the priest, a pre-nuptial questionnaire. During this time the Priest may also check into your preparedness for the Sacrament of Marriage, checking for basic understanding in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Faith, Morals and marriage responsibilities.
All couples will answer a questionnaire as a means of helping the priest preparing your marriage as well as the couple to determine strengths and weaknesses regarding the Sacrament of Matrimony for which the couples are preparing.

Two relatives (preferably parents) or Catholic friends of each party must sign individually, under oath, in the presence of a priest the form to declare the freedom of each party to marry. This should be done one month prior to your marriage.
An engagement encounter retreat is mandatory for ALL COUPLES to attend. Times and dates will be given at the first meeting with the priest.
If there has been a former marriage, both the Marriage Certificate and the Death Certificate or Declaration of Nullity must be produced.
In a marriage of mixed faith, the Catholic party alone is to make a written promise to attend to the Catholic upbringing of all children born of the marriage. The non-Catholic is made aware of the Catholic's responsibility in this matter.

The couple is required to furnish a marriage license before the wedding date.

The Catholic party should attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before marriage.

PLANNING THE LITURGICAL CEREMONY

The couple, with the priest, will plan the prayers, readings, and wedding format prior to the ceremony. Liturgical and sacramental preparation should take precedence over all the other social preparations for marriage.

No wedding will be scheduled during Lent.

MUSIC

It is the responsibility of the couple to arrange for the music for the wedding mass. A list of musicians is available upon request.

Music is an important part of any wedding and great care should be given to the selection of appropriate music for your wedding celebration. Music chosen for your celebration should be liturgical in nature and should lead the congregation to pray and fully participate in the joyful celebration.

FLOWERS

Floral displays for the altar will be accepted. Any other church decorations for the pews etc. will be allowed provided that they are not taped or stapled into the pews and that they are removed after the ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Most professional photographers are aware of the requirements concerning photographs during the ceremony; however, the bride and groom are responsible for communicating proper decorum to their photographer. At no time may taking of pictures interfere with the ceremony. If you have any questions, contact the priest who is preparing your wedding.

MISCELLANEOUS

Rice, confetti, bird seed, flower petals etc. are not allowed to be thrown in the Church or on the grounds. Food and drink are not permitted in the Church. The wedding group is expected to leave the Church and its grounds as clean as they found them.

Punctuality for the ceremony is very important, so as not to disrupt the liturgical services that may follow your wedding mass.

Costs

The donation for the wedding mass may be arranged with the priest.